The NBA trade deadline has officially passed, but that doesn’t mean front offices are done working the phones. For contenders like the Boston Celtics, the next phase is all about the buyout market - a chance to add depth and experience without shaking up the core. And while the names may not be as flashy as those flying around in blockbuster trades, these moves can pay real dividends come playoff time.
Right now, one of the most intriguing players on waivers is former Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas. According to league insiders, he’s the top talent currently available.
But here’s the catch - just because a player is talented doesn’t mean he’s a fit. And for Boston, fit is everything.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens made that clear when asked about the team’s approach to the buyout market. Stevens isn’t looking for someone to walk in and demand minutes. He’s looking for someone who understands the role - someone who can stay ready, stay professional, and step in when needed without disrupting the chemistry of a team that’s already humming.
“I would say that what we’ll be looking for will not be somebody that we’re going to ask to come in and, you know … be a part of the everyday rotation when we’re fully healthy,” Stevens said Friday. “But we also need people that can come in, accept that and be ready to help us move this thing down the hill and forward.”
Translation: Boston’s not hunting for a savior - they’re looking for a steady hand. A veteran who knows how to stay engaged even when the minutes are inconsistent. Someone who can step into a playoff game cold and still make the right reads, hit an open shot, or lock in defensively for a key possession.
And Stevens has earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to managing this roster. At the deadline, he pulled off a bit of financial gymnastics, navigating the Celtics under the luxury tax line - no small feat - and he did it without giving up a first-round pick. That’s the kind of savvy cap work that keeps a contender flexible, not just this season, but beyond.
Meanwhile, Boston continues to hold its own in the Eastern Conference. The team entered Friday with a 33-18 record - impressive by any measure, but especially so considering they’ve done it without Jayson Tatum all season. That’s a testament to the depth, coaching, and internal development that’s become a hallmark of this Celtics group.
So, while the big names may have already moved, don’t sleep on what happens next. The buyout market is about adding the final puzzle pieces. And if Stevens finds the right one - a player who’s ready to embrace the grind without needing the spotlight - it could be just the kind of under-the-radar move that pays off when the lights are brightest in May and June.