The Boston Celtics most important asset during this trade market is the $6.2 million traded player exception that was created when they traded Grant Williams to the Dallas Mavericks.

Team GM Brad Stevens has already expressed that he thinks adding a “big wing” is necessary. He also mentioned that the player could already be within their organization, but Stevens plans to look at all the ways he can use the TPE.

“That TPE is really the No. 1 tool we have… it’s a small number of people, a lot of the people that are in that are signed to minimums or smaller contracts or are on their rookie scale deals and teams aren’t exactly excited to move on from yet. So it’s a very small group of people. We’re going to exhaust it and look at it.”

When looking at players who fit the bill, there’s only a handful of names that Stevens has to work with, so he’s not entirely wrong when he says it’s a “very small group” of players that could actually be a good fit with this Celtics team.

It’s worth mentioning that the $6.2 million TPE will expire after the Feb. 8 trade deadline due to Boston being a second apron team and not a full year like most exceptions.

Let’s take a look at some potential additions for the Celtics at this trade deadline, both good and not so good:

Good Fits

Jordan Nwora ($2,900,000)

Jordan Nwora was just part of the deal that sent Pascal Siakam from Toronto to Indiana for Bruce Brown, Kira Lewis Jr. and three first round draft picks. So I’m unsure if he could be traded again but he’s a player that could fit in nicely as a big wing in Boston.

He’s averaging 6.1 points per game on 46/35/87 shooting splits this season and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He has great touch around the rim and is the type of piece Stevens is looking to add.

MarJon Beauchamp ($2,609,400)

MarJon Beauchamp hasn’t seen the court too much outside of garbage time since Adrian Griffin was fired. In fact, Beauchamp only played six games in January, as most of his minutes have gone to rookie Andre Jackson Jr.

Coming out of the G League Ignite, Beauchamp has NBA size (6-foot-6, 199 lbs.) and offensive skills, shooting 42.8% from the field so far in his career. But the one element of his game that’s weak is defense.

Doc Rivers likely won’t utilize Beauchamp in the playoffs, not to mention that he’s probably Milwaukee’s best trade asset with the deadline approaching.

Stevens is likely looking for more of a veteran player who defends well, however Beauchamp is a young player that Boston can control for the next two seasons on a cheap contract and a path that wouldn’t cost much to acquire him.

Torrey Craig ($2,686,788)

Torrey Craig is a seven-year NBA veteran that’s played on five teams throughout his career. He has career shooting splits of 45/39/70 and he’s averaging the second highest shooting clip of his career from behind the arc at 37.5% this season.

The plans are unknown for the Chicago Bulls, as Zach LaVine is set to have season-ending foot surgery and Lonzo Ball has a knee injury that’s kept him sidelined since the 2022 season.

It’s worth mentioning that Craig is coming off an injury of his own, but he returned to play on Saturday, logging 14-minutes against the Sacramento Kings.

This is the type of move Stevens is looking to make; a low-risk, high-reward addition.

Not So Good Fits

Saddiq Bey

Gary Washburn suggested that Saddiq Bey ($4.5 million) is a potential option. He’s been playing 69% as a small forward and 24% as a power forward since being traded to Atlanta. He’s averaging 12.9 points per game on 41/30/81 shooting splits this season.

This has been the hottest rumor this trade season but I personally don’t see this being a great fit for Boston or Bey.

Dario Šarić

Dario Šarić has been an important piece for the Golden State Warriors, it’s hard to believe they’d move him at the deadline. He’s averaging 10.2 points per game on 48/41/85 shooting splits this season.

Šarić is a great addition for any team, but the Celtics already have Kristaps Porzingis, which Šarić would offer a similar skill as a big man that can shoot, not to mention Boston seems to be fine with their center rotation and depth.

I don’t think he’d be a great fit for Boston.

Other Options

Some other options of players that fit into the $6.2 million TPE and are set to become free agents after the season that Boston could make a push for: Cam Reddish, Chuma Okeke, Danuel House Jr., and Simone Fontecchio.

With the exception of Reddish, everyone else might have a future with their current team, which is what Stevens said is challenging as teams aren’t ready to move on from them yet.

So there it is. There’s not many players that fit into the $6.2 million TPE but also the overall fit with the team.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks created a trade guide that predicts Boston acquiring Naji Marshall or John Konchar.

Lastly, the Celtics don’t really need to do too much, so don’t be surprised to see a minimal type of move, if any.

We’ll see what Stevens has in mind for the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

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