A little over a week after being acquired by the Boston Celtics in the Rajon Rondo deal, Brandon Wright is being shipped out to Phoenix for a protected first-round pick.
Wright,who is averaging 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds on the season, was only playing 10.8 minutes per night with the Boston Celtics, down from his 18.7 minute average with the Dallas Mavericks. Wright knew his time in Boston would be limited, which he stated to The Boston Globe.
“This team, it’s not complete yet, it’s in transition mode and building for the future. The front office is trying to acquire picks and acquire guys and find that right niche. Young coach. Young team. I knew that it was a possibility I could be moved again.”
Boston is already set for the future at its front court with Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, and the surprise emergence of Tyler Zeller. Wright was indeed expendable for a rebuilding team, but he will now join a Phoenix Suns team that believes another quality big man might be the final piece to the puzzle.
With both Alex Len and Miles Plumlee on its roster, Phoenix was looking to add depth to their front court. Len has overtaken Plumlee and has emerged as the Suns top option at center. However, with the risk of injury clouding Len the team thought adding a quality big in Wright would prove to be beneficial in the long run.
As for the Celtics future, Wright had some positive parting words for the team’s coach Brad Stevens.
“I really appreciated him in the time I’ve been here, he’s a great guy. A heck of a coach. He’s got this.”
I guess both teams got what they want. Boston gets their draft pick and Phoenix gets their depth, but it’s too early to tell who got the better of this deal.