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Boston Celtics: assessing the two buyout candidate fits

By Andrew Hughes

BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 27: Anthony Tolliver #43 of the Detroit Pistons looks to pass during the first half of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on November 27, 2017 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. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 27: Anthony Tolliver #43 of the Detroit Pistons looks to pass during the first half of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on November 27, 2017 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. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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Today is the final day that free agents cut from teams can sign with a new squad in hopes of playing in the postseason. Do the two remaining buyout candidates make sense for the Boston Celtics?

Being that the 2019-20 season is the most wide open of any in recent memory, even small moves can propel a team forward enough to improve their chances of winning it all. Last night’s opponent for the Boston Celtics–the Houston Rockets–know more than most what small moves can do for a team down the stretch.

Last month they took a leap of faith into a full-on small-ball revolution by trading center Clint Capela away for forward Robert Covington. The move shifted P.J. Tucker to the center position and Mike D’Antoni has all but iced out the center position.

The decision has worked wonders, with Houston winning 10 of its last 12 games and Russell Westbrook playing his best basketball since his MVP campaign in 2016-17. That win-streak includes a 111-110 victory over the C’s in an overtime thriller last night.

Now look, I’m not saying the Boston Celtics need to do anything so drastic. Daniel Theis, the team’s starting center, has been on a tear recently with averages of 14 points and 10 rebounds over his last eight games.

But there are small moves that can be made on this buyout market deadline. While Danny Ainge has seemingly been averse to signing any additional players, it is worth at least pondering how the two shooters on the market can help improve the Boston Celtics…if they can at all:

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