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According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the Boston Celtics have traded guard Jabari Bird the Atlanta Hawks. Bird is still facing multiple domestic violence charges and has not played this season for the Celtics. He is set to appear at Brighton Municipal Court on Wednesday, February 13th.
Boston trading guard Jabari Bird to Atlanta, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 7, 2019
Our own Keith Smith is reporting that the Celtics will receive a heavily protected second round pick in return, which will likely never convey to Boston. The Celtics will also send cash to Atlanta, covering the Hawks for taking on Bird before they waive him, per Smith’s report.
The pick Boston is getting for Jabari Bird is a "fake" pick. It will be top-55 protected and will likely never convey to Boston.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 7, 2019
Atlanta is going to waive Jabari Bird, who continues to face legal issues from an alleged domestic violence issue over the summer.
Shipping off Bird is a big win for the Celtics, since they now have an open roster spot to attack the crowded buyout market. There was hope that trading the 24-year-old would help Boston avoid the luxury tax, but Smith is reporting that this isn’t the case.
Sources: Despite dealing Jabari Bird, the Boston Celtics will not avoid the luxury tax this season. Boston is now likely to use their MLE to sign a player to a big two-year deal, with the idea of having the second season as part of salary matching in a trade for Anthony Davis.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 7, 2019
According to Smith, Boston will use their mid-level exception to fill this final roster spot, now that Bird is out of the picture. Using the MLE gives Boston more buying power in the market by being able to add on an extra $4.5-4.7 million to a deal. If the Celtics buyout acquisition is willing to take on that two-year contract, the team can use that $4.5-4.7 million for salary matching in a potential Anthony Davis trade this offseason.
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