Boston Celtics Trade Target Confirm He wants To Join Celtics Ahead Of Deadline

Celtics favored to trade for Bogdan Bogdanovic ahead of deadline
Can the Celtics pull off the unimaginable and trade for Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic?

The Boston Celtics, as presently built, are already the best club in the NBA. In fact, according to the current FanDuel Betting Odds for the 2024 NBA championship, the Celtics are the favorite to win it all. Their odds to win the title are currently at +320, which is significantly greater than that of the Denver Nuggets’. But even a stacked club has plenty of opportunity for improvement, and with a little over a month to go before the trade deadline, the C’s may very well have another move up their sleeve.

According to the latest odds from BetOnline’s special props, the Celtics are the favorite to arrange a deal for sweet-shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic from the Atlanta Hawks. Their odds to accomplish so are currently at +200.

Rounding out the top five of possible Bogdanovic trade suitors are the Milwaukee Bucks (+400), Denver Nuggets (+500), Los Angeles Clippers (+500) and Sacramento Kings (+700).

The Celtics, indeed, could use more battle-tested depth behind their core six. Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser are fine role players, but the Celtics may shy away from giving them significant minutes come postseason time. Meanwhile, Bogdan Bogdanovic is a tough-shot maker, a crucial backup ballhandler whom opposing defenses must not forget about every time he’s on the court due to his remarkable marksmanship from deep.

Alas, there’s no way the Celtics can put together the contract that’s needed to acquire Bogdanovic from the Hawks. Bogdanovic is getting $18.7 million this season; the Celtics will have to include one of their core six players to get a deal done. Given how well they’ve performed this season, there’s no reason for them rock the boat too much.Moreover, it’s unusual for the Hawks to deal away Bogdanovic when they’re trying to put together a great core around Trae Young. Amid all the trade rumors swirling around Dejounte Murray and the team’s stated desire to acquire a star power forward, it’s conceivable that the Hawks raise the 31-year old sharpshooter to the starting lineup if Murray departs.

Overall, betting on Bogdanovic’s likely trade to the Celtics is not a prudent move given all the reasons outlined above.