What if the Boston Celtics Can’t Attract Star Free Agents?
By Jeremy Karll
The Boston Celtics are hoping that this off-season will put them over the hump, however, what if it doesn’t?
The hype surrounding the Boston Celtics heading into the off-season is something we haven’t seen in a while. The Celtics had a promising season where their star point guard Isaiah Thomas was selected to the All-Star team and they just missed out on home-court advantage. Now, Boston is loaded with draft picks (8) and about as much spending money as any team this off-season.
The general idea is that Boston will attract one or two star free agents and possibly work a blockbuster deal for another one using their picks and their young players as leverage. All sorts of names have already been thrown out by the media about who the Celtics will try to acquire via trade, the draft or free agency. The truth is nothing is a guarantee, especially not attracting a top-tier free agent like Al Horford.
Among all the names the Celtics have been linked to, it seems that Horford is the most commonly mentioned. His style of play would fit into what Brad Stevens is trying to do, that’s for sure. He’s a veteran center who has consistently put up quality numbers and has many facets to his offensive game, as well as being a solid defender.
Following the Atlanta Hawks series loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Horford told USA Today, “I believe it. I believe it in my heart, I believe that the way we play makes us successful. We just have to figure out how we can take that next step as a group.”
Taken with a grain of salt, Horford seems like he’s more focused on fixing the problems the Hawks have, rather than looking for a new team. A lot of potential free agents say nice things about their current teams heading into the summer, so it could be nothing, however, it’s not exactly what Danny Ainge was hoping to hear.
Even if Horford decided to stay in Atlanta, there are many other free agents out there that would help this team. It still seems that everyone is fixated on bringing Horford to Boston and thinking that the Celtics are destined to sign at least one big name free agent this season. The fact of the matter is a lot of different factors go into a player’s decision, not just how close a team is to a championship.
If that was the only thing that mattered then Carmelo Anthony wouldn’t have re-signed with the New York Knicks, he would be in Chicago.
Atlanta is a place that Horford knows the system and city and that all plays a big role into player’s decision. Besides, Danny Ainge has had a very hard time selling Boston to potential free agents.
Even in 2007, the Celtics had to make two blockbuster trades for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Players just haven’t wanted to come to Boston and that’s why they got stuck signing Amir Johnson to a $12 million contract last season instead of having a realistic chance at LaMarcus Aldridge.
As much as Isaiah Thomas and Brad Stevens want to praise the city of Boston and the Celtics’ organization, it’s no guarantee that this off-season will be as big as many think. They still have multiple draft picks, however, in a weaker draft, the only rookie that should have any sort of major role next season is whoever they select with the Brooklyn Nets pick.
It’s not to say that the Celtics won’t sign any big name free agent this off-season, I think they will. However, every team has extra cap space the next two years due to the new TV deal and the last thing the Celtics want to do is settle and hand out big contracts to players not worthy because of their extra money.
If Boston is able to hit big in free agency, and in the draft, then mark them down as one of the biggest threat’s to the Cavaliers. If not, the Boston Celtics are in one of the toughest spots in the NBA – no man’s land.
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The last place you want to be is a good team who makes the playoffs but isn’t able to get over the hump but not bad enough to be a bottom-five team drafting the next potential superstar. Now, Boston is fortunate enough to have the Nets’ first round pick for the next two seasons after this year, although, they’re still in no man’s land right now.
Yes, they tied for the third best record in the Eastern Conference, however, there’s no way you can think they’re anywhere near the level of a LeBron James led Cleveland Cavaliers squad. Even if Isaiah Thomas is playing out of his mind, or if the Celtics were fully healthy with now another year of playoff basketball under their belt. They need another go-to guy on offense and a down low threat, that’s been made perfectly clear.
Next: Amir Johnson is Not a Long-Term Option
All we can do is hope that Boston is able to attract a top-tier free agent this off-season, but it’s still far from a guarantee. The fact of the matter is the Celtics need to attract someone, or pull off a blockbuster trade like they did in 2007, or else they’ll continue to be a good team but not a true title contender. They have the firepower to do it, but can they?