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Boston Celtics: 3 wings the team can acquire based off recent rumors

By Andrew Hughes

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 7: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during Game Four of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors on June 7, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 7: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during Game Four of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors on June 7, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Keita Bates-Diop

A bit of a smaller splash, but an intriguing splash nonetheless, would be acquiring the second-year man out of Ohio State–Keita Bates-Diop. The combo-forward brings a similar profile to Finney-Smith but comes at an ever more reasonable cost.

Bates-Diop was a small-ball big during his collegiate days at OSU, but so far in the NBA he has been primarily a small forward. He has no problems taking smaller opponents to task in the post, but he his true value in the league comes from his floor-spacing abilities.

So far, his inside game against pros isn’t translating to the production he displayed against Big Ten competition. While he is shooting above 50% from the field for his career, his strength has been his improved 3-point shooting abilities in his second season.

In almost three attempts per game, Bates-Diop is shooting 39% from the floor. That is coming on a Minnesota Timberwolves squad that ranks 22nd in the NBA. Imagining him thriving on a Boston Celtics team that ranks fourth isn’t baseless hallucination.

Acquiring the work-in-progress would be an undertaking best suited for one of the league’s most cerebral coaches. Just look at what Brad Stevens has been able to get out of the likes of career journeymen Brad Wanamaker and Daniel Theis.

With one more year after this one on a non-guaranteed deal, matching salaries would be easy. Minnesota is a rebuilding squad, so a second round drat choice should entice a team that continues to be mired in a run that has resulted in exactly one playoff appearance since Kevin Garnett was traded.

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