Free Agency Target: Al-Farouq Aminu

Yesterday, David Aldridge of TNT reported former-Dallas Mavericks forward, Al-Farouq Aminu will visit Boston next month.

Aminu, at 24-years-old, spent much of last season coming-off-the-bench, yet saw a drastic increase in minutes once Chandler Parsons was sidelined for the playoffs

It was then, in the first round of the playoffs, that Aminu got to showcase his talents to a wider audience. He took advantage of this opportunity by averaging 11.2 points, 7.2 rebounds (2.8 offensive!), 2.0 steals and 1.6 blocks on 55% shooting. While the Mavericks fell to the Rockets in just five games, Aminu’s stock had significantly risen.

The timing was impeccable, as Aminu will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.

Despite recently showing promise, since getting selected 8th overall in 2010 by the LA Clippers, Aminu has been somewhat of a draft bust – especially factoring in the player whom he preceded in the draft: Paul George (ouch, Clippers).

With an inconsistent three-point shot (27.4%) and no semblance of a mid-range game (about 1% of his total FGA came between 10 and 24 feet), Aminu’s impact on offense is rather negligible. His cutting ability is severely stifled by his poor ball-handling skills while his pedestrian footwork virtually eliminates any potential to create a shot for himself.

However, what Aminu does offer is hustle, defense, and size. At 6’9″, Aminu’s height and strength allows teams to deploy him at both forwards positions: an attribute conducive to Brad Stevens’ small ball lineups.

Although Aminu is larger than your prototypical small forward, his perimeter defense is top-notch; due to his agility and lateral quickness. His defense in the post, while not predicated on shot-blocking ability (1.6 blocks per-36 is solid), is quite serviceable due to his manic energy.

In the open court, Aminu is at his best. On offense, Aminu’s strength and speed makes him readily available for lobs; while on defense, Aminu’s propensity to execute chasedown blocks keeps counter-attackers glancing over their shoulder.

With a better version of himself in Jae Crowder already on the roster, Aminu wouldn’t start for the Celtics. Aminu would, however, receive steady minutes at the four, rather than the three. In certain settings Aminu could also find himself playing alongside Crowder as his front court counterpart. This tactic would be utilized in one of Stevens’ patented super-small ball lineups. Since Crowder proved himself proficient at containing post-scoring bigs – as he did with Al Jefferson last season – Crowder could play the five, while Aminu holds down the four. This lineup would operate at a lightning-quick pace, capable of dismantling the league’s best defenses, while allowing Stevens to simultaneously play the formidable trio of Smart, Bradley and Thomas.