Keeping every option open for this Boston Celtics team is essential, given their lack of financial flexibility. With this, perhaps they could look for overseas additions.
With the NBA Draft scheduled for November 18th, the Boston Celtics find themselves in possession of three first-round picks at the 14th, 26th, and 30th spots. This marks the fifth time in the past eight years that the team will hold at least two picks in the first round.
Unfortunately, however, the Cs have struggled with selections in the 10-30 spots.
Since 2012, Terry Rozier and Kelly Olynyk remain the only two players either drafted or acquired on draft night that remain in the league. The 2019 Draft may be an exception as Grant Williams and Romeo Langford have shown early promise.
Given the luxury tax and roster spot situation, Boston may look to part ways with one or even several of these first-round picks. They may look towards free agency or the international market to bolster a relatively thin bench.
Salary cap-wise, the Celtics are restricted by several different situations as they have become one of the more tightly bound teams financially in terms of how they manage their assets. In truth, the only types of contracts they’ll likely be able to use are MLEs and Veteran’s Minimums.
While so much excitement surrounds the draft, the franchise has quietly been one of the most active teams when scoping talent from international markets. While not every signee has been a success story, and international signings fail to conjure as much excitement, the Cs, as of late, are no strangers when it comes to finding and signing older and more experienced veterans on team-friendly deals.
We must remember that the shamrocks were the youngest team to make the playoffs this season, with three out of their six oldest players were once overseas contributors.
Past Celtic Signings from the International Market
- 2019 Offseason: Javonte Green (Ulm – Germany), Vincent Poirier (Baskonia – Spain)
- 2018 Offseason: Brad Wanamaker (Fenerbahce – Turkey)
- 2017 Offseason: Daniel Theis (Brose Bamberg – Germany), Shane Larkin ( Baskonia – Spain)
The image of an international player being unathletic is no longer as pronounced as it once was.
Royce O’Neale, Joe Ingles, Maxi Kleber, and Torrey Craig are a few examples of undrafted players who built up their careers overseas and returned when the time was right. Even Patrick Beverly and PJ Tucker, both early second-round picks, took time away from the league to develop more translatable skills and, upon their return to the league, became elite role players.
This list only includes free agents as the international buyout market may become too expensive for the Cs. However, these are some names to keep an eye on for future offseason acquisitions.
Intriguing international vets include Nikola Milutinov, Cory Higgins, Scottie Wilbekin, Vasilije Micic, Derrick Williams, Antonio Blakeney, Axel Bouteille, and Tyler Dorsey. Other free agents currently available but not considered are Anthony Gill, Gabe York, Jock Landale, and Quincy Acy.
With all this in mind, if Boston moves players to save money, trade away their picks, and decide not to go the route of draft-and-stash, there are a few possible overseas free agents that could provide value to an offensively sparse Celtics bench: