According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Boston Celtics are actively considering ways to bolster their bench depth as the NBA trade deadline looms on Thursday. Among the players catching their attention are Toronto Raptors forward Otto Porter Jr. and Brooklyn Nets guard Lonnie Walker IV.
Porter, at 30 years old, could offer valuable depth on the wing. However, his ability to stay healthy has been a concern, having played just 23 games over the past two seasons due to various injuries. While his skill set could benefit the Celtics, his injury history raises doubts about his reliability.
On the other hand, Walker, 25, presents an enticing option for providing scoring punch off the bench. He has performed well for the Nets this season, averaging 12 points in limited playing time while maintaining impressive shooting percentages.
Fischer notes that Walker’s strong play on a minimum contract has garnered interest from multiple playoff-bound teams, making him a potentially good fit for the Celtics’ needs.
Despite boasting the NBA’s best record at 38-12 in the 2023-24 season, the Celtics recognize their depth as a potential weakness. While their core players—Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Jrue Holiday—form a formidable lineup, the lack of reliable bench contributors beyond Derrick White and Al Horford is evident.
Although the Celtics have managed well despite this deficiency, they understand the value of additional bench options, particularly in light of potential injuries during the regular season or playoffs.
Expanding minutes for stars and employing strategic lineup rotations can mitigate depth concerns to some extent, but acquiring reliable bench players remains a priority for the team as they aim for postseason success.
