NBA Trade Deadline Eve - open thread tracking Boston Celtics rumors

Just going to drop in a few Celtics related rumors ahead of the NBA trade deadline and start a discussion thread in the comments below.

Chris Mannix of SI

Boston has appeared motivated to use some or all of its $28.5 million trade exception, per rival execs. The Celtics have swapped offers with Orlando and have shown a willingness to deal All Defensive team guard Marcus Smart. It’s unclear how much interest the Magic have in Smart, in part because Orlando has no interest in winning, in part because Smart may chafe at joining a rebuilding team. The Magic could acquire Smart and look to re-route him in a three-team deal that brings more draft compensation back.

Chris also mentions that the Celtics may be floating the interest in Aaron Gordon to pressure the Kings to re-engage in talks for Harrison Barnes.

Joe Vardon of the Athletic

Just a little more on the Aaron Gordon trade front here. An NBA executive, watching from afar when it comes to the Gordon sweepstakes, says he’s not the only name the Celtics are chasing. If he was, the deal would be done. Executing deals with Boston can be tricky. Offers are often made out of Beantown for players not currently on the Celtics’ roster (meaning a third team has to get involved), which can frustrate colleagues looking to make a big deal. For any team looking to add picks, ultimately those talks are going to have to run through Oklahoma City, which seems to have enough of them to hold its own NBA draft, for a season or two. And what would the Thunder want for its treasure trove of picks? Thus, the conundrum.