The NBA trade deadline is nearly here and the Boston Celtics are, as always, among the many NBA teams looking to make a move.
The team is armed with a couple of trade exceptions including the massive $28.5 million one generated from the Gordon Hayward sign-and-trade. As a result, there is little limit to who the C's can acquire on the trade market. It's all about whether or not they're willing to pay the price for some of the top options available.
But Boston is after some upgrades, so it's no surprise that oddsmakers are favoring them to land a couple of the bigger fish in the trade target pond.
With our All Access Daily newsletter, stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Boston sports teams!
SIGN UP HERE According to PointsBet Sportsbook, there are two big men that the Celtics are favored to land if they are traded -- Nikola Vucevic of the Orlando Magic and John Collins of the Atlanta Hawks.
PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.
Teams that could trade for Nikola Vucevic
The Magic don't seem to want to trade Vucevic, who is averaging 24.6 points and 11.8 rebounds and made the All-Star team though, so it may take a huge offer to blow them away. Still, it remains a possibility ahead of the deadline.
Boston Celtics
Find the latest Boston Celtics news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Boston.
For Vucevic, PointsBet only has three potential suitors: The Celtics, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Charlotte Hornets.
| Team | Odds to trade for Vucevic |
| Celtics | +115 |
| Spurs | +175 |
| Hornets | +260 |
Vucevic would surely be an upgrade for any of these teams, but it makes sense that the C's would be favored. Thanks to their huge trade exception, they will be able to acquire Vucevic, who they like, and his $25 million average annual value without sending out any extra salary. So, making a deal would only hinge on their ability to match Orlando's asking price.
If the C's can't match the Magic's asking price, then the Spurs and Hornets could get into the mix. Each team has some young guards that they could dangle in trade talks to get Vucevic (Dejounte Murray and Derrick White for the Spurs, Terry Rozier and DeVonte' Graham for the Hornets).
Teams that could trade for John Collins
For Collins, the market is a bit more wide-open. He's set to be a restricted free agent, but he's only on the books for about $4.1 million this year. That will open up opportunities for teams that want a big-man to trade for him.
| Team | Odds to trade for Collins |
| Celtics | +140 |
| Mavericks | +200 |
| Timberwolves | +210 |
| Kings | +400 |
| Pistons | +700 |
The Celtics have long been interested in Collins, so it would make sense that they're among the favorites to land him. And the Timberwolves have also reportedly discussed Collins, though they balked at the price of Malik Beasley and a first-round pick for him.
Collins may be tougher to land if enough of a market emerges for his services. He's young (23), cheap, and though he'll likely need a lucrative extension after the season, he's talented enough to justify a big-money deal. He did turn down a $90 million contract, after all.
Pointsbet also has the C's listed for a couple of other trade targets. They are third in the running for Aaron Gordon at +290 behind the Warriors (+225) and Trail Blazers (+280) and also are listed -- albeit last at +750 -- among teams that could trade for Andre Drummond.
We'll see soon enough if the Celtics make any sort of move at the trade deadline, but ahead of that date, one thing is clear. The C's appear to be willing to make some sort of splash move -- if it comes at the right price.