Hardwood Houdini
Fansided

3 buyout candidates the Boston Celtics should consider

By Andrew Hughes

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 26: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics on January 26, 2019 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 26: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics on January 26, 2019 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Boston Celtics (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Boston Celtics (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Trevor Ariza

Trevor Ariza‘s presence on the Sacramento Kings’ roster makes no sense. The Kings have several wings that deserve playing time over the likes of Buddy Heild and Bogdan Bogdanovic on the wing, and he shouldn’t be taking time away from Marvin Bagley and Nemanja Bjelica at the power forward spot either.

For the second straight year, Ariza has been able to get a big short-term pay-day on a team that didn’t need him. Last season, he signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Phoenix Suns, only to be dealt after two months to another team that ended up starting a rebuild in the Washington Wizards.

Ariza, despite what recent history dictates, is used to being on a winner. He was a part of the 2009 Los Angeles Lakers team that won it all and also played for the 2018 Rockets that came closest to defeating the Kevin Durant-led Warriors.

Even though the Kings are four games out of the playoffs, they seem unlikely to jump six teams to be in the #8 seed out west. Currently, they rank in the bottom third of the league in point differential, and unless Bagley’s return sparks a complete turnaround, they will likely continue to sink further given their remaining schedule is ranked 7th in the entire association.

Ariza fits the profile of what Ainge is looking for. Being able to start (he started all of the games he played in for the Suns and Wizards in 2018-19) and come off the bench (he hasn’t started once this season), Ariza brings an ego-less brand of basketball that has proven to be apart of a winning culture before.

If he hits the market, signing him for the minimum would strengthen the championship profile of a team that doesn’t have a single player that has sniffed the NBA Finals.

Home/Celtics News