Celtics linked to trade for $48 million Thunder NBA champion guard

“And there's a non-zero chance he finds his way to the trade market if the Thunder decide their climbing financial commitments are no longer tenable.
He's a net-shredding specialist of the highest order. This was his fourth season as a rotation regular and his fourth season with a better than 40% splash rate from the perimeter.”

“The Celtics, of course, have some designated distance shooters already, so they might not be inclined to pay what it would take to pry him out of the Sooner State. That said, the cost is the only thing keeping him from ranking even higher.”

If the Celtics are looking for a reliable second-unit contributor with a positive track record as a three-point specialist, Jones certainly fits the bill. The former second-round pick finished his first season with the Thunder (2022-23) with a 40.9% three-point shooting percentage and never looked back.

Joe’s ability to serve as a spark plug off the bench helped the Thunder capture their first-ever championship last season, and his high-level perimeter play has Oklahoma City in position to repeat as NBA champions this year.

Jones is averaging a career-high 11.1 points per game this season, shooting 45.5% from the field and 42.3% from three-point land. The Thunder would likely be reluctant to part with Jones this summer, but that shouldn’t deter the Celtics from pursuing him when the time comes.

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