Why Would Celtics Wait To Use Trade Exception? Wyc Grousbeck Explains

Why Would Celtics Wait To Use Trade Exception? Wyc Grousbeck Explains
Boston acquired $28.5 million from the Gordon Hayward trade


NESN by Sean T. McGuire

One thing the Boston Celtics had going for them, at least through a fans’ eyes, during their recent stretch was the fact they own the biggest trade exception in NBA history.

The Celtics acquired $28.5 million this offseason after signing and trading Gordon Hayward to the Charlotte Hornets.

It was widely believed the Celtics would use that exception on a player ahead of the March 25 NBA trade deadline. Well, those hopes may have been taken a hit based on comments from Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, who appeared on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Felger & Mazz” radio show Wednesday.

Grousbeck essentially said there is no guarantee the team uses that exception before the deadline, as it could ultimately wait until the offseason.

“We are under a cap situation,” Grousbeck told the radio station. “We are hard-capped at the moment like literally can’t spend more than X-amount, which is why that TPE is probably going to be more useful — maybe we can use part of it within the hard cap at the trade deadline and if it’s available to us and we want to do it, we’ll do it if the right deal is there. Otherwise, it’s something we will look more to the offseason for.”

Grousbeck explained a bit more.

“Yeah, it’s a hard cap. Once you make a certain signing or two, then you get hard-capped. We’re hard-capped this season. We’re not hard-capped next season. And so, we’re working within those constraints. That’s just part of the (Collective Bargaining Agreement).”

Boston’s trade exception will last for a full NBA calendar year. The signing of big man Tristan Thompson for the full mid-level exception this offseason, as reported by MassLive’s Brian Robb, triggered a hard cap or “apron” for the Celtics at $138 million.

Boston’s payroll currently is $117 million, meaning the C’s have the ability to add $21 million to their roster and still stay under the hard cap.

To some extent, though, it means the below .500 Celtics, who have lost 13 of their last 20, could be looking to win with the group as currently constructed.

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Ya gotta read between the lines on what Wyc said. Danny was told to lock Brown and Tatum up to long term deals period! After that, he told Danny to assemble a team around Brown & Tatum keeping in mind the hard cap. Translation, I am not spending more money then I have to in this era of closed or partly open arenas because of Covid19. And dutifully Danny went out to paste a team together. The out come so far has been a disaster.

Wyc is saving $28 million dollars in salary and it looks like he will keep his money in the bank until the summer if at all. If he does, it could be a minor deal and not the full amount of available $28 million.

That is why Danny has not acted on the $28 million dollar exemption. You could get a very good player in that price range that would be adding a difference to the team.

To sum it up, Wyc will not move off his position until Covid 19 has been erased!

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KW money is like flushing cash down the toilet. Really bad decision to sign him.

But not for Kemba. No wonder he smiles a lot.

After reading Wycs comments here and what he said throughout the rest of the interview (Kyrie included) I’m convinced that he too is a problem. I don’t know about the other guy or 2 that are his partners but I’m convinced that he and Ainge are Wack which means we are probably screwed.
I remember One thing that Sam said years ago that stuck with me. He said he never cared for Wyc and gave a few reasons why which I don’t remember but I do remember that he said it and I don’t recall him saying that about too many people involved with this team evah before.