Rival executives believe the Boston Celtics are seeking a player who can play either forward spot and also score, which is the kind of player they lost when Gordon Hayward left in free agency.

The Celtics have also had their upside tempered by the injuries to Kemba Walker as he hasn't played at an All-Star level.

"The injuries and everything else, I think, have worked against them, for sure," an Eastern Conference executive said, "and especially if Kemba is not Kemba."

"He can still provide value," a Western Conference executive said. "But is he worth $35 million? Is he worth that number? That's tough [to build around] if he isn't."