The Celtics have limited options to improve their team on the free-agent market, due to NBA salary cap rules. Modest spending ($5.9 million taxpayer midlevel exception) and veteran’s minimum contracts will be the team’s main tools to build from the open market. Those limitations mean a trade remains a likely bet to help improve the team’s core.
One tool at Boston’s disposal on that front is the leftover chunk of the Gordon Hayward trade exception remaining ($11 million) that remains after the team used $17 million of it to acquire Evan Fournier for two second-round picks from the Orlando Magic back in March.
We already covered last week at MassLive why the Celtics are highly unlikely to be able to use the trade exception in a sign-and-trade deal for a free agent due to CBA rules. However, there is still a long list of players around the league that make under $11 million and could be made available by their teams heading into this offseason. What names fill the criteria and could fit in Boston moving forward? Let’s look at 13 potential candidates and a few specific ones to keep an eye on.
Bigs
Larry Nance Jr. ($10.6 million, 2 years left on deal): A long-rumored target of the Celtics, Nance Jr. suffered through an injury-plagued 2020-21 campaign that limited him to 35 games for the Cavs. His expanded 3-point range (36 percent) and defensive versatility make him an appealing target for any team, making him an ideal stretch big option for Boston. The cost will be steep from Cleveland’s demands (at least a first-round pick and a young player with promise) but it could be worth the cost for the 28-year-old.
Marvin Bagley III ($11.3 million, final year of deal): A potential buy-low option for Boston heading into a contract year for the power forward. Bagley has played only 118 games during his first three NBA seasons and his defense has been horrific at times despite his offensive upside. He’s only 22 and probably could be had for pennies on the dollar, but it’s hard to envision Brad Stevens bringing in a guy who can’t be trusted defensively at center.
Maxi Kleber ($8.7 million, two years left on deal): A potential Daniel Theis replacement? He stretches the floor better than the former Celtics center and is very mobile defensively for a 6-foot-10 big. However, he’s been a starter in Dallas for the past two years so it’s hard to envision them moving on from his team-friendly deal unless the Celtics overpay for him. Boston simply doesn’t have the extra assets to afford doing that at this point.
Mason Plumlee ($8.1 million, two years left on deal): A manageable contract for a center who is a terrific passer for his position. However, his lack of shooting range makes this pairing a no-go for Boston. The Celtics have a couple of centers who already can’t shoot from the perimeter so bringing in a third wouldn’t make much sense unless Tristan Thompson is sent packing.
Dwight Powell ($11 million, two years left on deal): The athletic 6-foot-10 big man has carved out a nice career for himself in Dallas after being a throw-in to the Rajon Rondo trade. He’s a bit overpaid for his production though and his poor outside shooting makes him a questionable fit in Boston’s frontcourt, assuming Boston’s new coach doesn’t want to play double bigs much. The Celtics can’t afford to pay another non-shooter $11 million that has limited upside.
Dario Saric ($9 million, two years left on deal): The 26-year-old has been a useful bench player for the Suns on their way to the Conference Finals so it’s highly possible he’s not even made available via trade. However, he’d be a nice fit to provide some shooting and offensive touch in Boston’s frontcourt.
Wings
Kyle Anderson ($9.9 million, one year left on deal): The Celtics have had their eye on Anderson for quite some time according to league sources. With Memphis having plenty of younger talent on the wing, they may opt to simply add some more assets for the 27-year-old wing entering a contract year. Anderson’s improvement as a 3-point shooter last season, along with his passing, would provide the skillset that makes him a nice fit for Boston.
Derrick Jones Jr. ($9.7 million, player option likely to be picked up): He got a big deal for the MLE in Portland but largely underwhelmed in the bigger role, ultimately racking up DNP-CDs for most of the team’s playoff series loss against the Nuggets over six games. Jones Jr. isn’t going to provide much offensive upside or shooting but his length and athleticism still could make him appealing at 23-years-old. Assuming he picks up his option, the Blazers probably wouldn’t ask much for him.
Cedi Osman ($8 million, three years left on deal with final year non-guaranteed): The 25-year-old posted career-worst shooting numbers last year in Cleveland (38 percent from the field, 30 percent from 3). That combined with some lackluster defense has turned what looked to be a bargain deal into one the Cavs could have trouble moving. The Celtics could take him for next to nothing but Osman hasn’t shown that he’s worth any kind of investment at this point at age 25.
Justin Holiday ($6 million, two years left on deal): The journeyman has turned himself into an elite 3-point shooter in Indiana over his past two seasons, knocking down 38 percent of his attempts while increasing his volume to 5.4 attempts per game. The Pacers already have 12 players under contract for next year so they could be looking to move some wings for value. Holiday could be a cheaper backup plan for Boston if Fournier ends up getting a big-money deal elsewhere.
Kevin Knox ($5.8 million, one year left on deal): Another buy-low option after failing to break his way into Tom Thibodeau’s rotation in New York last season. At age 21, there is untapped potential here but the case can be made that the Celtics already have too much youth on their roster already.
Guards
Jeremy Lamb ($10.5 million, one year left on deal): Same situation as Justin Holiday, except with a more expensive deal. Injury history (torn ACL in 2019) is also something to worry about but he did shoot a career-high 40 percent from 3 last year in 36 games after recovering.
Tomas Satoransky ($10 million, one year left on deal): The 6-foot-7 guard would bring some needed size to Boston’s backcourt. He’s also a strong distributor although his high turnover rate is a tough sell. The Bulls could be looking to open up cap space for free agency so he could come cheap as a sixth man or a potential replacement at point guard if Kemba Walker is dealt.
Ideal targets
Based on Boston’s needs, the ideal targets on this list would be any of Nance Jr., Kleber, Anderson, Saric or Satoransky. All are proven role players in their prime that will provide Brad Stevens with meaningful upgrades to the team’s depth as he tries to reshape the bench.