Boston Celtics Trade Rumors: Analyst suggests defending champs target $10,317,802 big man to bolster frontcourt depth

The Boston Celtics are sputtering entering the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline, playing .500 basketball over the past few weeks. According to Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor, a trade for a backup center upgrade, like the Brooklyn Nets' Day'Ron Sharpe, could rejuvenate the defending NBA champions.

While Boston still possesses the league's fourth-best record (32-15), it has gone 6-6 since Jan. 5, with four losses coming by double-figure points. Meanwhile, as a second-apron team, the franchise has scarce trade options.

On Monday's edition of "The Kevin O'Connor Show," O'Connor and three-time NBA champion Danny Green analyzed the Celtics' trade deadline prospects. O'Connor highlighted the importance of the organization securing insurance for oft-injured starting center Kristaps Porzingis, who has been limited to 22 appearances this season.

"(They need) support behind Porzingis because if he's out, they're not gonna win it. So, to me, I think it's about finding another big," O'Connor said. "... They're so limited in their options there, like (Luke) Kornet's solid and (Neemias) Queta's solid, but they need somebody better than that."

O'Connor named Sharpe, who is in the final year of a four-year, $10,317,802 contract, as a cost-effective option.

"I think Day'Ron Sharpe from the Nets would be interesting," O'Connor said.

Through 25 outings, Sharpe is averaging 7.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks per game, shooting 48.4%.

While not a flashy player or a floor-spacer, the fourth-year big would give Boston another rebounder, low-post scorer and a decent frontcourt passer.

However, Green noted that, like Porzingis, Sharpe comes with injury concerns after missing Brooklyn's first 21 games due to a left hamstring strain.

"I like Day'Ron a lot. It's just I think of the hamstring issue," Green said. "He hasn't shown the same explosiveness ... but his rebounding skills have been unbelievable."

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Kevin O'Connor on which player Celtics could deal for Day'Ron Sharpe

As for what Boston could give up in a trade for a proven reserve center like Day'Ron Sharpe, Kevin O'Connor named defensive-minded guard Jaden Springer.

While the fourth-year player has played sparingly this season, according to O'Connor, the Celtics have seemingly been trying to showcase him lately.

"I've heard that they're open to trading Jaden Springer," O'Connor said. "He's been playing (more) lately. I'd imagine that they're trying to feature him to increase his trade value."

Springer is making $4,018,363 this season, while Sharpe is earning $3,989,122, so a one-for-one trade would work salary-wise. However, O'Connor noted that Boston could also surrender draft capital to get a deal done.

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