The Celtics Are Interested In Isaiah Stewart But There’s A Catch…
December 15th has passed, which means it’s trade szn. The Celtics are the ball of the dance but they’re looking for one more hot piece of ass to ensure that Banner 18 gets raised. Isaiah Stewart makes a lot of sense, but there’s a catch.
According to The Athletic’s James Edwards III (don’t click the link. It’s a trash publication and behind a paywall. I’ll tell you what you need to know. Just have to provide credit…) the Celtics have “shown great interest” in the former Washington product. Dallas and Oklahoma City are also interested in the Pistons’ big man.
The Pistons can’t buy a win so on some level this makes sense. 23 L’s and counting (check out Diamond’s latest on it). Who isn’t available on that Pistons roster? When you lose that many in a row, anything appears to be on the table, not?
The problem is that Stewart inked a contract extension this offseason. There is a rule in the CBA that his contract is now listed as a poison pill deal. You have to match his new number in a trade even though he’s still technically on his rookie contract. I don’t get it either but the NBA continues to make up ridiculous rules because they don’t want things to be unfair. Stewart makes $5.3 million this year prior to the extension kicking in next year.
The Celtics could find a way to match that $5.3 number but it’s virtually impossible with the poison pill provision. The only way it’s possible is if Payton Pritchard is flipped as part of the trade. I’m not sure you want to go down the road knowing that you then have to replace Pritchard’s backup point guard spot.
Stewart would be perfect for this Celtics team. He’s tough, loves to rebound, and adds another steady body in the front court. I just don’t know how you pull it off. Welcome to the new reality of the stupid CBA.
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