Boston Celtics: 3 high-impact free agents Cs MUST pursue

Boston Celtics buy-low target No. 3) Serge Ibaka

Serge Ibaka is the player the Houdini has most often talked about in regard to the Boston Celtics pursuing for the MLE this offseason. In all honesty, it would be foolish for them not to try and attain his services with such a contract.

Through 55 games the veteran big-man saw stellar averages all across the board. Posting 15.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and just shy of a block per game on 51 percent shooting from the floor and 39 percent shooting from deep, Ibaka would fill may holes within this Cs rotation, specifically by bolstering their lackadaisical center position both offensively and defensively.

Like we stated earlier, we’ve constantly banged the drum advocating for Boston to pursue the 11-year-veteran this offseason, going as far as deeming him the exact “type of player a Brad Stevens-run team would love to have at the pivot.”

"Offensively he has an impressive array of post moves and can easily help Boston space the floor better (shoots 36 percent from deep for his career). Defensively, well, we know how good he can be. The man referred to as “Serge-I-block-a” is a 3x All-Defensive First-Team selection and a 2x NBA blocks leader — averages 2.1 blocks a game for his career."

Now, a big concern that has been vocalized by you all has been the price tag that could potentially be found on Ibaka that would make him unattainable for the shamrocks. That said, with the fact that the NBA’s salary cap is likely to be negatively impacted due to COVID-19, coupled with the fact that he will be on the “wrong side” of 30 by the time next season rolls around, perhaps the most realistic offer the veteran big will receive, especially from contending teams, will be an MLE, something the Celtics could 100 percent offer.

Should he value winning another ring above all else, Boston would be a great landing spot for the still very productive Ibaka.

He would be an unbelievable asset for the shamrocks to have in their frontcourt come next season. If there were any player on the open market the Celtics should chase after, it should be him.