Report: Celtics interested in Lou Williams, Tyreke Evans

The Boston Celtics are looking to fortify their roster for what they hope will be a deep playoff run.

The team is pursuing Los Angeles Clippers veteran Lou Williams and Memphis Grizzlies wing Tyreke Evans, two Western Conference sources told The Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett.

Memphis is reportedly holding out for a first-round pick for Evans, but the Celtics haven't budged on that request, instead hoping the Grizzlies will bite on a package similar to what the Denver Nuggets apparently offered - Emmanuel Mudiay plus a second-rounder. The 28-year-old swingman is putting up a team-high 19.5 points on 45.8 percent shooting from the field and 39.2 percent from 3-point territory, and pitching in five assists, five rebounds, and a steal over 46 contests with the Grizzlies.

Related - Report: Grizzlies shelve Evans as trade talks heat up

Meanwhile, the Clippers are believed to be looking for a combination of young players and draft picks in trade talks involving Williams, who's enjoying a career year. The 31-year-old shooting guard leads the Clippers with 23.5 points on 44.3 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent from long range, to go along with 5.2 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals over 49 games primarily off the bench.

Boston signed big man Greg Monroe to a one-year, $5-million pact using the $8.4-million disabled player exception from Gordon Hayward's injury. The C's remain active in discussions ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline in a bid to boost the second-unit scoring and add veteran leadership to the league's fourth-youngest team. Williams and Evans could take pressure off Jaylen Brown, 21, and Jayson Tatum, 19, who've shouldered the bulk of the workload on the wings.

Riding a three-game win streak, Kyrie Irving and Co. own the best record in the East and have a two-game lead on the No. 2 Raptors.