Assessing every 2022-23 candidate for Celtics’ $17.1 million TPE

The Boston Celtics have a $17.1 million traded player exception (TPE) available to them as their biggest, sexiest teambuilding tool this offseason, able to absorb $17.1 million plus up to $100,000 more in player salary or salaries without having to send anything back.

They will need to make use of it before the TPE — created by signing-and-trading Evan Fournier to the New York Knicks the season prior — before it expires on July 17. There is a good chance it expires, and also that it is used before the league calendar changes to 2022-23 salaries on July 1, 2022, but chances are that Boston will use their Fournier TPE after the 2021-22 season ends on June 30.

With more than a few fans wondering who might be able to be traded into the TPE, we decided to put together a comprehensive guide to every player that would fit as a focal point that would not also fit into one of the Celtics’ smaller TPEs. Let’s take a look at the candidates.

Duncan Robinson – Miami Heat – wing – $16.9 million

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Fit: Above average

Availability: Likely

Negative contract? Yes

Norman Powell – Los Angeles Clippers – wing – $16.7 million

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Fit: Very good

Availability: Unlikely

Negative contract? No

Will Barton – Denver Nuggets – wing – $16.6 million

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Fit: Good

Availability: Slightly unlikely

Negative contract? Slightly

Dejounte Murray – San Antonio Spurs – guard – $16.5 million

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Fit: Near ideal

Availability: Likely

Negative contract? No

Markelle Fultz – Orlando Magic – guard – $16.5 million

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Fit: Good

Availability: Unlikely

Negative contract? No

Lauri Markkanen – Cleveland Cavaliers – forward – $16.4 million

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Fit: Very good

Availability: Unlikely

Negative contract? No

Marcus Morris, Sr. – Los Angeles Clippers – forward – $16.3 million

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Fit: Good

Availability: Slightly unlikely

Negative contract? No

Davis Bertans – Dallas Mavericks – forward – $16 million

(AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Fit: Good

Availability: Slightly unlikely

Negative contract?…