NBA Trade Rumors: Do the Celtics really need Tyreke Evans or Lou Williams?

The Celtics are still adding to the best team in the Eastern Conference. They just picked up Greg Monroe after he was bought out by the Phoenix Suns earlier this week and now they’re looking to add a bit more of a scoring punch to their bench.

Lou Williams and Tyreke Evans are both still on the Celtics’ radar, according to a report from the Boston Herald. The Celtics still need more of a scoring punch off their bench and believe one of those two could bring it to them at the right price.

Both the Grizzlies and the Clippers are looking for first round picks for Evans and Williams, respectively, but the Celtics are hesitant to give up that type of major asset.

The Celts are said to be willing to part with assets, but Ainge seems to be again holding the line on what he believes is proper value. The strategy has frustrated other clubs and a percentage of the fan base, but it doesn’t appear to be changing.

Evans or Williams would unquestionably help the Celtics with their scoring woes. The team’s offensive rating since the start of January is just 102.5. Evans and Williams both would give the Celtics creators off the bench who can find their own shot and also run an offense if necessary.

But would it be worth the hassle for the Celtics? Probably not.

The Celtics would be giving up a first round pick and more for two players who add to their offense, but do little else for their team. The Celtics have enough assets stockpiled to the point where they won’t have to send over a significant player in the deal, but if the asking price remains at a first round pick it’s hard to see them biting.

Both players are going to be free agents after the season and there’s a chance whichever one the Celtics acquire would only be a rental. The Celtics would be able to re-sign Evans with their taxpayer mid-level exception, but that’s only just under $6 million and might not be the price range that can take him off the market. Williams is going to be looking for a much larger deal in the $10 million range, which is a tough commitment for a team with so much salary already accounted for.

With no guarantees that they’ll be able to keep either player beyond this season, there’s no reason for the Celtics to drop a first round pick in any deal for them.

Just as they did with Greg Monroe, they don’t have to wait for the right trade to come along. There are going to be players who are bought out from their deals after Thursday’s trade deadline and they’ll be available for minimum deals.

The Celtics still have about $3 million left from the disabled player exception they acquired earlier this season after Gordon Hayward’s injury. They used $5 million of that on Monroe, but will still be competitive in the buyout market because they’re a team in contention.

Monroe was part of the market, but we could also see names like Joe Johnson and Tony Allen become available. There are multiple ways to improve a team and the Celtics have options. You can best believe Danny Ainge will explore them all.