NBA Trade Rumors 2016: Boston Celtics Parting Ways With David Lee, Tyler Zeller Before Deadline?
The Boston Celtics could make moves before the annual NBA trade deadline in on Feb. 18, as they are on pace to make the playoffs this season.
The Celtics are currently seventh in Eastern Conference standings with their 19-15 record, but they will need to retool their roster if they want to go deep in the playoffs. And according to NBA insider David Aldridge, the Celtics are willing to give up veteran forward David Lee for a player who will improve their chances in the postseason.
Lee, who is playing in his 11th season in the league, was acquired by the Celtics from defending champions Golden State Warriors during the offseason to add veteran presence. However, the 32-year-old is playing just 15.7 minutes per game this season, which is reportedly one of the reasons why he is a dispensable asset.
"The Celtics have been very solid, but Coach Brad Stevens has a minutes problem, as evidenced by the lack of time for David Lee-whose expiring contract is available, per league sources," Aldridge revealed. "Danny Ainge has any number of movable pieces that could be packaged."
Lee averaged 7.2 points ton top of 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists in his first 29 games with the Celtics this season. The two-time NBA All-Star is scheduled to earn $15.49 million this season.
Aside from Lee, Tyler Zeller could also change zip code in February. According to Bleacher Report, Zeller is also a movable asset he is just playing 8.8 minutes per game this season. The report revealed that the Celtics could package Zeller with Lee in a trade to acquire a scorer, as Ainge told Mass Live that they need a go-to-guy.
"I think the one thing that we could really use is a go-to scorer. We have some guys that have carried us," Ainge said. "But we have got to -- it would be nice to find another player that's a reliable scorer at the end of games, night in and night out."
Veteran power forward Amir Johnson was also mentioned in recent trade rumors. The 28-year-old, whose $12 million salary for the 2016-17 NBA season is not guaranteed, is playing well this season. He averaged 7.6 points and 5.9 rebounds on top of 1.3 blocks in his first 32 games.
According to the report, trading Johnson would be a big blow to Boston's defense, but the 11-year-veteran could sweeten any deal for a legitimate scorer before the deadline.
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