Celtics Stand Pat as Roster Remains Intact Ahead of NBA Guarantee Deadline

In a strategic move, the Boston Celtics have opted to maintain their complete roster as of Monday, a decision revealed by a league source. This move suggests the team’s commitment to fully guaranteeing the contracts of four players for the season. Despite having the option to waive Dalano Banton, Luke Kornet, Svi Mykhailiuk, or Lamar Stevens before Sunday’s NBA season guarantee deadline, the Celtics, led by head coach Brad Stevens and the front office, have chosen to retain the quartet, as hinted at in a press conference last week.

“I’ve been really pleased with all those guys,” remarked Stevens on Thursday when questioned by MassLive. “I don’t want to say what we do or don’t do. I don’t ever want to speak in absolutes, but I’ve been really impressed with all those guys. They’ve all come in and done well for us.”

Kornet’s contract is now guaranteed for $2.4 million, while Mykhailiuk, Stevens, and Banton will each earn just over $2 million for the season. All four players have proven to be reliable contributors for Boston, earning praise from teammates and coaches alike. Their consistent performance provides solid depth, particularly crucial during a busy January schedule and when injuries strike. Currently, Boston has an open spot on the 15-man roster, in addition to three two-way players under contract, namely Neemias Queta, JD Davison, and Drew Peterson, whose deals have also been guaranteed.

This decision to retain all non-guaranteed deals contrasts sharply with last year’s approach. In January of the previous year, Boston traded Noah Vonleh and cash to the San Antonio Spurs for a protected second-round pick, freeing up a roster spot and generating savings in luxury tax penalties.

The Celtics’ willingness to hold onto all non-guaranteed deals this season suggests team ownership’s readiness to absorb additional luxury tax costs in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline. While some players with guaranteed contracts are considered essential contributors to the team, such as Kornet, who plays a rotational role, and Banton, under team control for the next season, Stevens and Mykhailiuk have served as depth players, utilized sporadically when the team is at full strength.

It’s important to note that the guaranteeing of their contracts doesn’t necessarily mean Stevens and Mykhailiuk will finish the season in Boston, according to sources. The Celtics could still explore trading them, possibly as part of a package with minimum-salary players, to facilitate a deal for a player who wouldn’t fit into the $6.2 million Grant Williams trade exception. Retaining their salaries now provides the Celtics with valuable tools for potential trades, whereas waiving them would have complicated salary matching in such deals.

In the grand scheme, multiple league sources indicate to MassLive that the Celtics are highly expected to make a move before the trade deadline. Keeping the roster intact past the guarantee deadline positions them well for exploring opportunities to enhance the back end of the roster through potential trades.