Boston Celtics: B/R names the C’s most realistic free agent target

Though they may not have much financial flexibility this offseason, the Boston Celtics are still reportedly in play for some attractive MLE candidates.

Since their season officially ended back on September 27th in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the media has had a field day about how the Boston Celtics can best utilize this offseason to better position themselves for a run at glory come 2020-21.

From the upcoming NBA Draft to offseason trades the internet has been chock full of hypothetical scenarios revolving around the idea of making Beantown stronger moving forward.

We here at the Houdini have had our fair share of stabs at such activities, most recently discussing who we believe to be the perfect player the Cs should target during this year’s free agency period.

Though they may not have the same cap flexibility they have been blessed with over the past several offseasons, according to multiple reports Boston is considered to be quite an attractive landing spot for players willing to accept the league’s mid-level exception.

With this, their “wish list” will be relegated to a specific group of individuals.

Out of all the players slated to be found on the open market this offseason, there are only a few who are realistic targets for the shamrocks. According to Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, the team’s most realistic free agency signing will be 14th-year-veteran big man Paul Millsap.

His reasoning read as follows:

"Assuming Gordon Hayward returns to the Celtics on his $34.2 million player option, Boston could already be making $140 million in roster payments even before free agency begins.That means hunting for bargains, especially veterans in the frontcourt who can space the floor and defend.Millsap is still good enough to start at power forward for Boston if the team chooses to use Hayward as a do-it-all sixth man, and the four-time All-Star would bring 120 games of playoff experience over 11 years to the Celtics frontcourt."

For months now, we here at the Houdini have expressed our feelings about the idea of a Paul Millsap signing in Boston and, frankly, we love it!

Through 51 games played this season, the 35-year-old put up solid averages of 11.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game on 49 percent shooting from the floor and 44 percent shooting from deep (a career-best).

In regard to his biggest reason as to why he signed with his current team, the Denver Nuggets, back in 2017 in the first place, Millsap stated that he wanted to help mold the team’s young core into the best versions of themselves.

"“My main goal coming here was to help this team and organization get over the hump and help some of these younger guys develop into superstars, which they are. I feel like I’ve helped through that, and we’ll see what this summer holds.”"

Like the ’17 Nuggets, the Boston Celtics, too, find themselves in possession of a boatload of young talents in need of a savvy vet to help them reach their fullest potential.

Millsap could prove to be that veteran leader this team has been missing.