The free agent situation for the Boston Celtics this coming off-season–whenever that starts–could see several players benefit greatly due to the Coronavirus-related season suspension.
Things may be looking up for several free agents if the season were to never resume after the COVID-19 outbreak caused the NBA’s 30 teams–but most importantly the Boston Celtics–to have the calendar wiped clear of games.
The disease is getting more widespread by the day, with one of the players being announced by Shams Charania was none other than Marcus Smart. Smart announced it on Twitter himself:
I was tested 5 days ago and the results came back tonight, which were positive. Ive been self quarantined since the test, thank goodness. COVID-19 must be taken w the highest of seriousness. I know it’s a #1 priority for our nations health experts, & we must get more testing ASAP pic.twitter.com/xkijb9wlKV
— marcus smart (@smart_MS3) March 19, 2020
It’s an unfortunate situation for the league to see so many high profile cases of COVID-19. Kevin Durant and three other yet to be named Brooklyn Nets were recently announced, while Christian Wood of the Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert were the initial announced infected players.
On a positive note, though, some players could stand to benefit from a cancelled season. The Boston Celtics built up good will by going 43-21 before Adam Silver pulled the plug on the 2019-20 campaign.
It’s clear that after minimal roster movement after the 15-man roster was named after the preseason that Danny Ainge likes this core group. If the season ends, these three players could stand to benefit in free agency: