Inside The Celtics

Celtics Bring Back Daniel Theis, Send Dennis Schroder, Enes Freedom, Bruno Fernando to Rockets

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Boston is sending Dennis Schroder, Enes Freedom, and Bruno Fernando to Houston in exchange for an old friend in Daniel Theis.

Bobby Krivitsky

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics and Rockets have made a trade to beat the buzzer!

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Boston is sending Dennis Schroder, Enes Freedom, and Bruno Fernando to Houston in exchange for an old friend in Daniel Theis.

Boston needed to upgrade at center behind the Al Horford-Robert Williams front-court pairing. Until now, their most reliable solution was short-shifting Horford, but doing so resulted in heavy minutes for a player in his 15th season. 

Theis spent the first 3.5 years of his NBA career with the Celtics. At the trade deadline last season, Boston moved him in a cost-cutting deal after acquiring Evan Fournier earlier in the day.

Theis is averaging 8.4 points and five rebounds in 22.5 minutes per game this season, starting in 21 of the 26 games he's played. He's taking 6.9 shots per contest and converting 46.9 percent of them, including 61 percent of his 3.8 two-point field goals. 

The four-year veteran, who turns 30 on Apr. 4, joined Houston on a four-year, $35.6 million contract. This season, Theis is earning $8.3 million. He has a guaranteed deal through the 2023-24 campaign for an average of about $8.7 million. After that, there's a club option worth $9.5 million for the 2024-25 season.

After acquiring Derrick White earlier in the day, trading Schroder, already a likely scenario, became increasingly probable. The Rockets will probably buy out the remainder of his one-year, $5.9 million contract. 

Schroder is averaging 14.4 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.3 rebounds this season. The Los Angeles Lakers didn't make a single deal on deadline day, meaning they'll now rely on adding players from the buyout market to bolster their rotation. There's a distinct possibility Schroder ends up back with the purple and gold.

According to Wojnarowski, the Rockets will buy out Enes Freedom's contract.

It comes as no surprise, but Wojnarowski also reported the Rockets might buy out Fernando's contract, too.

Further Reading

Celtics Trade Josh Richardson, Protected 2022 first-round pick, Romeo Langford to Spurs for Derrick White

Celtics Trade Bol Bol and P.J. Dozier to Magic in Cost-Cutting Move

Are the Celtics Shifting Their Approach to the Trade Deadline?

10 Tidbits About Jayson Tatum's All-Star Game Appearance: Historic Achievements, Past Performances, Adding to Celtic Lore

The Case for the Celtics Trading for Jerami Grant

Trade Options for a Celtics Team in Need of Shooters

Celtics' Trade Options Part II: Facilitators

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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