Hardwood Houdini
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Boston Celtics: 4 buyout candidates Cs should consider pursuing

By Mark Nilon

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Houston Rockets reacts during the first quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center on January 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Houston Rockets reacts during the first quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center on January 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Like is the case every season, there are quite a few players that could find themselves bought out at some point and the Boston Celtics might be interested in a few of them.

After a reletively disappointing initial start to the season, the Boston Celtics find themselves atop the standings out east with a record of 7-3 and are currently in the midst of a four-game winning streak.

Due in large part to the tremendous performances by the team’s young studs in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, they’ve managed to find themselves boasting the second-best winning percentage in the entire league (.700) without their All-NBA point guard Kemba Walker, who has been sidelined to start the year as he continues to rehab from his knee ailments.

Despite all this early success, however, Boston still finds themselves behind several teams in the title odds rankings, the majority of whom hold significantly more star power, including the newly formulated big-3 in Brooklyn of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden.

Danny Ainge could wind up trying to bolster their roster in several different ways to slide them up a few pegs, including trades for some potentially available studs.

However, perhaps an easier way to go about improving their overall roster could be by scouring the buyout market.

Should they go this route, there are 4 specific players the Houdini believes should be firmly on the C’s radar:

Boston Celtics buyout target No. 1) Robin Lopez

Last season, we were big on the idea of the Boston Celtics pursuing veteran big man Robin Lopez on a cost-efficient deal, citing their lacking front court talent and underwhelming center rotation as our main reason.

Fast forward well over a year later and we find these problems still remain within the team’s rotation. With RoLo finding himself on the close to imploding Washington Wizards, he could soon find himself part with the franchise via trade or, more realistically, via buyout.

Logging career highs in field goal percentage (62%) and defensive rebounding percentage (16.6%) the 32-year-old Lopez could prove to be a servicable presence downlow for Boston, serving as an efficient seven-footer who can, set screens, swat shots, and nab second chance opportunities.

He may not have the highest-ceiling, but if consistency is what Danny Ainge wants to add to the center slot, you could certainly do a lot worse than bringing on an established veteran like Robin Lopez.

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