Boston Celtics: “Pass or pursue” on 3 impending free agents

Free Agent Target No. 2) Tristan Thomspon

Next on the docket, we have another impending unrestricted free agent big who could theoretically be had as a reasonable price this offseason. Tristan Thompson has been a name seemingly linked to the Boston Celtics all season, with retired franchise great Paul Pierce going as far as publicly recruiting him during this year’s mid-season buyout window.

The ninth-year pro put up arguably his best season in the NBA during the 2019-20 campaign. Through 57 games, Thompson put up 12 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and just shy of a block per game on 51 percent shooting and a career-high 39 percent shooting from deep.

Despite this, his future does appear to be in doubt with the Cleveland Cavaliers, as the franchise surprisingly traded for Andre Drummond — a player of the same position — at the deadline this past February and, with him reportedly expected to opt-in to the final year of his deal, it could mean the end of Thompson’s run in Cleveland.

With solid career averages of 9.4 points and 8.7 boards per game on 51 percent shooting from the floor coupled with his championship experience, it should be assumed that the 28-year-old will be a highly sought after player on the open market this upcoming offseason.

Having said that, even if he’d be willing to accept an MLE-type contract, a team like the Boston Celtics should strongly consider looking at different options, regardless of how badly they want to bolster their center position heading into 2020-21.

No offense to Thompson, but his play simply does not fit the archetype of center in which Brad Stevens likes to roll out. The C’s scheme is heavily dependent on floor spacing at all positions. Outside of 10 feet from the rim, the veteran big is rendered useless on offense.

And, sure, we did mention the fact that he is shooting a career-high from 3-point range this season, but that is on a mere 23 shots, less than half an attempt per game. Prior to this season, Thompson has attempted a mere nine 3-pointers and missed every single one of them. To claim he has become a reliable or, even lesser, an ok long-range shooter based off of less than 25 makes would be quite an overstatement.

Add in the fact that, despite his hustle, is an arguable liability on the defensive side of the ball for his career — -1.3 defensive box plus/ minus for his entire career.

In the end, Tristan Thompson will be employed by an NBA franchise come the start of next season. However, it likely will not be with the Celtics.

Verdict: Pass