Celtics Writer Names 11.9-Point Veteran Center As Possible Trade Target To Pair With Jayson Tatum originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Celtics‘ top trade priority this offseason may be to acquire Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, if they can’t finalize a deal to bring him on board, Boston may need to explore alternative options.

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WEEI’s Meghan Ottolini highlighted three potential options the Celtics should consider that don’t include Antetokounmpo. She believes that trading for Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. could be a viable option.

“Could two one-and-done Dukies team up on the Celtics next year? Carter Jr. offers a lot to like in a potential fit with Boston: he’s coming off a season with his best availability in Orlando, (78 games), he’s got over a 50% field goal shooting percentage, and he’s a decent three-point shooters,” Ottolini wrote on Friday. “We know Mazzulla loves a three-and-D guy. Carter Jr. may not provide massive scoring volume, but he’s a solid defender, can stretch the floor, and he’s young – but experienced.”

Carter has been in the NBA for eight seasons, spending his first three with the Chicago Bulls before being traded to the Orlando Magic during the 2020-21 season. Over the course of 461 games, Carter has averaged 11.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. He would be a great fit to start at center for the Celtics, and the good news is that Boston wouldn’t have to give up Jaylen Brown or any of its other star players. Ottolini thinks a package including someone like Sam Hauser, along with a young player such as Hugo Gonzalez or Baylor Scheierman, could make the trade happen.

“Boston could make the money work with rotational pieces further down the bench, like Hauser and one of its recent draft picks, Hugo Gonzalez or Baylor Scheierman,” Ottolini added. “One issue they could see with a trade of that sort, however, is loss at wing depth by trading both Hauser and his would-be heir apparent in Scheierman.”

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If the Celtics manage to trade for Carter, they would likely not move Brown this offseason and create a new big three with Brown, Jayson Tatum and Carter.

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