Report: Celtics Looking to Trade Brandan Wright

Celtics big man Brandan Wright arrived in Boston just three weeks ago, when the team acquired him, Jameer Nelson and Jae Crowder in a trade package for Rajon Rondo.

Now, it appears he could be dealt yet again.

J. Michael from CSN Washington reports that the Celtics have told the big man to prepare for a deal.

Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge has informed the 6-10 center that he’s on the block and should expect to be on another team. That’s why Wright had a head-scratching DNP this week on a team that could use his skill set.

Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe spoke with Wright at the team’s shootaround today in Indiana.

Just had conversation w Brandan Wright, saying all the right things about his DNP but sounds like a man who expects to be traded #Celtics

— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) January 9, 2015

Wright was widely considered to be the best player the Celtics received in the Rondo deal, as the 6-foot-10 forward had served as an athletic rim protector for the Dallas Mavericks over the past few seasons.

The 27-year-old has failed to make much of an impact in Boston during his brief stay in green thus far. Amid a crowded frontcourt rotation consisting of Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, Brandon Bass and Tyler Zeller, Wright has played a mere 10.8 minutes per game in eight contests coming off the bench for Brad Stevens.

A lack of playing time, as well as Wright’s valuable expiring contract ($5 million) make the seven-year veteran an appealing trade chip to playoff teams around the league looking to improve their bench.

Since the Celtics acquired Wright last month, Boston’s dealing options involving with the big man are restricted by NBA trade rules. For a two month period after acquiring Wright, the Celtics can only deal him again if they do not combine his salary with other players. The team is free to deal him right away if it’s a one-for-one swap or they trade him into another team’s trade exception, otherwise they have to wait until February 18th (two months after he was acquired).

That rule limits Boston’s trade options somewhat for the time being, but with Wright’s relatively affordable salary, the team should have no trouble finding an appealing buyer for Wright in the next few weeks.