The Boston Celtics are looking to trade for the Memphis Grizzlies’ Tyreke Evans ahead of the NBA’s trading deadline on February 8. The Celtics are in the title hunt given the Cleveland Cavaliers’ vulnerability this season and their strong performance versus the defending champion Golden State Warriors.

The Celtics have an open roster spot with their $8.4 million disabled player exception they received from the NBA after Gordon Hayward went down with a season ending injury at the beginning of the season.

Hayward broke an ankle during a play in the first quarter of the Celtics’ first game.

According to Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal Ronald Tillery, Boston may be in the hunt for Evans’ services.

“Not confirmed. But don't be surprised if Tyreke Evans is moved to Boston”

https://twitter.com/CAGrizBeat/status/957750824171646976

Evans has been at the top of his game this season, playing his best ball since his rookie year.

With averages of 19.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and shooting 38.8 percent from three, Evans can provide additional firepower to a Celtics attack that needs an extra boost.

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“The Celtics could absorb his salary with the DPE because he is on the last year of his deal, but they can only send out draft picks if they use the DPE,” says Jared Weiss of the Celtics Wire.

“Boston owns all of its first-round picks and also owns the Clippers’ 2019 lottery-protected pick and the Grizzlies’ 2019 pick protected 1-8. Boston has been reticent to surrender a first-round pick for short-term help in the past few years, but they appear closer to the Finals than last year with the way Cleveland has looked and how Boston has played against the Golden State Warriors. They could use the second-round split structure, pledging a protected first-rounder that rolls over into a pair of second-rounders if it doesn’t convey after a certain period of time.”

The Celtics have lost five of their last six games and with Marcus Smart out for two weeks, the Celtics don’t want to give the Toronto Raptors and the Cavaliers an opportunity to catch up to them.

They are at the top of the Eastern Conference with the Raptors and the Cavs in second and third place, respectively.