Boston Celtics: What Does Danny Ainge Have up his Sleeve

After some tough breaks and savvy cap maneuvering, Danny Ainge has given the Boston Celtics options heading into free agency.

From the moment the news leaked that Al Horford was leaning towards leaving Beantown, the Boston Celtics knew they’d inherited some spending power around a modest $23M. When the Phoenix Suns agreed to a deal to trade up in the draft and take on Aron Baynes contract, that’s when things got serious.

By sending out Baynes $5.4M salary, Boston gave themselves an easy path to a seven or nine-year max contract. By renouncing the rights to Terry Rozier, Marcus Morris, Kyrie Irving, and Al Horford Boston can open up roughly $34M in cap space. That’s Kemba Walker, Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson; players of that caliber.

Marc Stein of the New York Times reported Tuesday that the Celtics would be suitors for the Charlotte Hornets point guard when he hits free agency in less than a week. Walker would go a long way in replacing the production provided by Kyrie Irving during his two-year stint with the franchise.

Coming off the best season of his career averaging 25 points a game while handing out six assists, he was even rewarded with an All-NBA Third Team selection. There’s no debating what Walker brings to the table.

The kicker is, signing Walker to a four-year deal starting at approximately $32.7M in the first season would leave the Boston Celtics with only $1.6M to fill out additional roster spots. Considering Robert Williams is the teams only center, it would be shocking if another big move didn’t follow up the Walker addition.

What would that move be, though? Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown appear to be the focal point of the franchise going forward, and both benefited tremendously from having a big that can spread the floor like Horford. Those types of players don’t grow on trees and aren’t available for $1.6M.

Could Ainge surprise all of us and ship out Gordon Hayward to create more cap space? Based on how Ainge has spoken about Hayward’s recovery and his eagerness to see him play next season, logic would tell you no. Things in this league happen fast though, and it’s never wise to assume Ainge won’t make the move that best improves the roster; regardless of public perception.

Moving Hayward for even half of what he’s owed in 2019-2020 would give the Celtics room to add a quality big man. Brown and Tatum would see to it that Boston doesn’t take a dip in wing production with the subtraction of Hayward.

Now, Boston could pursue a center like Nikola Vucevic of the Orlando Magic, a player who could replicate Horford’s offensive production. Vucevic wouldn’t cost a max slot either, and it would allow the Celtics to retain Terry Rozier to form a more well-rounded roster.

Still, the fact that Baynes’ removal from the melting pot opened up a max slot makes it feel like that is the primary focus. If you’re a Celtics fan, the only reason you should not already be fastening your seat belts for the Kemba Walker experience is the question mark at center.

In any scenario, Boston has access to the Room Exception, worth $4.6M. Dewayne Dedmon would be an ideal center to pursue with this money. Dedmon, who shot the three at 38% last season, is one of the few seven-footers who possess a decent perimeter shot.

There’s a strong chance he gets offered more money somewhere else, but in a free agency class as deep as this one, it’s also possible Dedmon doesn’t get the money he’s looking for.

Dedmon could sign a one year deal with the Celtics and get an opportunity to play a significant role for a coach and system with a track record for increasing players value (i.e., Evan Turner, Avery Bradley, Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder).

A starting lineup of Walker, Brown, Tatum, Hayward, and Dedmon with a few decent bench pieces could make some noise in the Eastern Conference.

It’s nearly impossible to predict what direction the Celtics will ultimately take, but rest-assured, Danny Ainge is prepared for this. All of it.