Ex-Knicks Sharpshooter Floated as Celtics Trade Target
The Boston Celtics don’t necessarily need to make a trade with the start they’ve had. However, if they feel they need more shooting, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley explained why Reggie Bullock is one of the best options.
“If the Celtics don’t want to part with legitimate trade chips to fill what would likely be a niche role, then a clearance-priced flier on Bullock might be a viable alternative. He’s hardly hit the hardwood in Houston, but he’s still a willing defender who owns a career 38.3 percent perimeter splash rate,” Buckley wrote in a November 29 story.
Bullock played for the New York Knicks from 2019 to 2021 before leaving in free agency the following summer. Bullock currently plays for the Houston Rockets, though his role with them has not been very prominent. That could potentially open the door for a trade if his role doesn’t improve.
Bullock will make $3.1 million this season, so the Celtics could use the Grant Williams trade exception. If the Rockets decide to part ways and the Celtics want more shooting, Bullock would be among the more sensible trade targets.
Celtics Coveted Reggie Bullock in 2023 Offseason: Report
The Celtics have shown interest in Bullock before. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported on November 29 that the Celtics showed interest in Bullock after the San Antonio Spurs waived him.
“Lastly, before signing with Houston, Reggie Bullock had interest from several teams, including the Bucks, Heat, Celtics, Clippers, and Pelicans, league sources told HoopsHype. Given his proven 3-and-D capability and current role in Houston, he’s also a name to watch,” Scotto wrote.
The Rockets have shown vast improvement in the 2023-24 season thanks to who they added, including former Celtics head coach Ime Udoka. However, with their newfound success, Bullock has not played much in their rotation, which could mean he may hit the trade market a few months later.
Another option could be for the Rockets to waive Bullock. Or if the team Houston hypothetically trades him to does something similar in case they include him in a trade for more firepower.
The Celtics are 14th in the league in three-point shooting, per NBA.com, shooting 36.5% from the field. Some of that is because some players have not started the season well shooting from distance. However, the Celtics have emphasized having floor spacing, so at the very least, Bullock wouldn’t hurt them in that regard.
Celtics Among Teams Interested in John Konchar: Report
Besides Reggie Bullock, the Celtics have shown interest in Grizzlies sharpshooter John Konchar. Scotto confirmed as such in his report.
“Reserve forward John Konchar is also a candidate to be dealt before the February trade deadline,” Scotto wrote. “The Celtics, Warriors, and Lakers are among the teams who’ve kept tabs on Konchar’s situation from afar, HoopsHype has learned.”
The Grizzlies have not had the best start to the season. 19 games into the 2023-24 season, they sit at 5-14, which places them 14th in the Western Conference. Konchar has not played up to his usual standards thus far. 15 games into the season, he’s shot 29.6% from three, a downturn from the 36.9% he’s shot for his career. That could also make him easier for the Celtics to acquire.
Matt John covers the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns for Heavy.com. A Massachusetts native, he has covered the NBA since 2018, with stops at FanSided, Basketball News and Basketball Insiders. More about Matt John.
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Woj Provides Injury Update on Kristaps Porzingis
Boston Celtics star big man Kristaps Porzingis hasn’t played in nearly a fortnight due to a calf strain. But according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, there’s optimism that he will make his return to the court sometime this week.
The Latvian injured his calf in Boston’s loss to the Orlando Magic back on Nov. 24. He exited the game in the third quarter after 22 minutes of playing time. Porzingis registered nine points and four rebounds before departing.
Across 15 appearances with the Celtics this season, the 28-year-old is averaging 18.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per contest while converting 54.7 percent of his field-goal attempts and 32.4 percent of his three-point attempts.
Celtics’ Focus on Winning Habits Keys Blowout vs. Bulls, Helping Them Advance in In-Season Tournament
The Orlando Magic must feel some type of way about what unfolded on Tuesday night.
They closed out group play of the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament with a 3-1 record and a +22-point differential, only to watch the Boston Celtics steamroll the Chicago Bulls, 124-97.
It then boiled down to whether the Brooklyn Nets bested the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center and by how much. The hosts’ 115-103 victory forced a tiebreaker between them and Boston and Orlando, determined by point differential.
And with that suddenly on the C’s side, they’ve punched a ticket to the quarterfinals, where they’ll play the Pacers in Indiana.
Now for a deep dive into how Boston did its part, overcoming a years-long problem while getting a game-high 30 points from Jaylen Brown, pairing it with eight rebounds and six assists, and all five starters scoring in double figures.
1. The Celtics weren’t shy about firing from beyond the arc in the first frame of Tuesday’s In-Season Tournament tilt.
They went 8/16 from beyond the arc, attempting their second-fewest threes in any quarter of a game this season. The first was when they hoisted 18 in the first 12 minutes after halftime of their 117-107 win against the Philadelphia 76ers.
That, coupled with effective closeouts, limiting the Bulls’ ability to get downhill, and challenging shots, translated to a 31-20 lead entering the second period. Chicago shot a frigid 30.8 percent from the field in the first.
2. Boston also got productive minutes from its bench in the first frame. Dalano Banton provided an infusion of energy, had a block from behind, and earned a plus-11 plus-minus rating.
Payton Pritchard was also among the most notable contributors from the second unit, burying both threes he hoisted.
3. While the hosts slipped up defensively late in the second quarter, their offense was even better than in the first.
They played with pace, moved the ball effectively, and stayed active off it. They also utilized an inside-out approach to keep the defense in rotation and consistently create quality, in-rhythm shots.
The Celtics assisted on 21/26 field goals and shot a scorching hot 65 percent from the field, including 13/24 (54.2 percent) from three-point range.
They outscored their visitors 38-30 in the second period, taking a 69-50 advantage into halftime.
4. Jaylen Brown went 6/10 from the field, including 3/5 from behind the arc, made an impact as a cutter, and produced a couple more posters. He led all scorers with 16 points at the break. His six rebounds also paced all participants after the first 24 minutes.
5. Sluggish starts to the third quarter have been a years-long problem for Boston. It appeared that trend would continue on Tuesday, but the hosts locked in defensively, stringing together stops and forcing turnovers.
That made it easier for them to play up-tempo, fueling an energetic attack that grew their lead to as they outscored the Bulls 20-9 by the 4:44 mark in the third frame, expanding their lead to 89-59.
With their defense setting the tone, despite committing five turnovers, they held Chicago to 18 points while putting 28 on the board, taking a 97-68 advantage into the last 12 minutes.
6. Encapsulating the Celtics’ continued dominance in Tuesday’s tilt was a sequence where Jayson Tatum got a bucket, Derrick White picked off a poor pass from Julian Phillips, and Sam Hauser flushed home a missed three by Tatum.
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