Celtics should target these three defensive wings before the deadline

Heading into the 2023 offseason, the Celtics seemed set at the guard position and looked great at the center spot after trading for Kristaps Porzingis. There was one clear need Boston needed to address – a wing defender who could shoot.

Then, though, Brad Stevens moved center Robert Williams and point guard Malcolm Brogdon for Jrue Holiday. Suddenly, Boston’s greatest bench need, one could argue, was at every position. I’ve written in this series about guards and big men the Celtics could target, and in this piece I’ll focus on wings.

Even though it was essentially inevitable, losing Grant Williams last offseason was a blow to Boston’s defensive versatility, shooting, grit, and physicality. He was no perfect player, but he could make games messy in the right way while converting 40% of his three-pointers.

There is no one out there the Celtics could get to fill Williams’ shoes entirely given the meager salaries they have to give up in a trade. However, there are a few players who could play a similar but more limited role for this Celtics team, which is in need of a strong hustle player.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: What about Lamar Stevens? Oshae Brissett?

I hear you. They are both strong and gifted defenders. But they aren’t consistent shooters, and to date Joe Mazzulla doesn’t seem ready to trust them to play meaningful minutes. Either he’s content with Sam Hauser getting all of the backup wing minutes, or he is waiting until he has a better option than the two offseason acquisitions.

I don’t know if Stevens will go for a forward on the trade market. I do, however, think he has one move in him before the Feb. 8 trade deadline. And that trade could be for one of the following players.

Starting off hot:

BOS receives: Naji Marshall

NOP receives: second-round compensation

The New Orleans Pelicans have a lot of big wings. Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy III, and Herb Jones are all guys who can play wing or forward. On top of that, Dyson Daniels is a big guard in their reserve unit who is breaking out, and rookie shooting guard Jordan Hawkins has been terrific to start the season. That’s a crowded bench unit with a lot of defense and a lot of shooting.

As a result, Marshall is playing fewer minutes this season than last despite injuries to multiple players ahead of him…