Five trade options for Celtics

The Boston Celtics boast the NBA’s top record, striking fear in playoff opponents. However, their season hinges on postseason success. Despite bold summer acquisitions aimed at a championship, anything short of the title won’t satisfy them, given their frequent conference finals appearances. With unmatched talent, especially in their top six players all hungry for a first championship, coach Joe Mazzulla will rely heavily on them in crucial moments. Failure could prompt offseason changes, particularly with Jaylen Brown’s new contract pushing Boston beyond the tax apron and limiting roster flexibility. It’s a challenging road ahead, but the Celtics must carefully consider these offseason moves.

To improve their bench, Boston might consider trading Payton Pritchard, who is set to begin a new contract next season. With a top-heavy salary structure, the Celtics may need to part ways with one of their players to match salaries. Pritchard, despite his potential, is likely expendable due to his limited role in the rotation and defensive vulnerabilities. However, finding a suitable replacement within his salary range of $6.6 million could prove challenging unless the team moves a higher-paid player to avoid tax complications.