The Boston Celtics land Derrick White, Daniel Theis at trade deadline

Boston.com

On what was expected to be a busy NBA trade deadline day, the league did not disappoint. Some of the biggest names in the league found new homes and in one instance, a player went back to a place he is very familiar with.

Brad Stevens got the Boston Celtics’ day started by sending Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, a 2022 first-round pick (top 4 protected), and the rights to swap firsts in 2028 to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for guard Derrick White. Coach Ime Udoka is very familiar with White, whom he coached with on Spurs last season. The trade also opens up the possibility for Aaron Nesmith to get more playing time with Richardson and Langford no longer in Boston.

The Celtics were in a particularly uncomfortable spot with guard Dennis Schroder, who was here on a one-year, $5.9 million deal. Rather than take the risk of losing him for nothing (as there was no guarantee that he would re-sign or that Boston could afford to pay him), they shipped him to the Houston Rockets for former Celtic center/forward Daniel Theis. They also sent Enes Freedom and Bruno Fernando to Houston in the deal.

Theis was a fan favorite before he was traded last season and will be welcomed back with open arms from the green and white faithful. Theis, who is an above-average defender, will reunite with Robert Williams and Al Horford in the big man rotation for the Celtics.

In a move that was nothing more than a way to avoid the luxury tax, the Celtics traded Bol Bol, PJ Dozier, a conditional second-round pick, and cash to the Orlando Magic and received a conditional second-round pick in return.

Hopefully, the moves that were made today keep this team moving forward, as a six-game winning streak helped the Celtics move up to seventh in the Eastern Conference standings. They are only half a game behind the Toronto Raptors for the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot.