Boston Celtics: 3 players who fit Ainge’s want for “shooters with size”

“Shooter with size” Boston Celtics target No. 3) P.J. Tucker

P.J. Tucker is another name that has been connected with the Celtics in recent weeks. The 35-year-old is averaging 5.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 39.2% from three in his fourth year in Houston.

Tucker has proven to be a winning player in his time in the NBA, helping the Houston Rockets make it to the conference finals multiple times. His game is mostly known at this point — he’s a great defender who can guard anyone on the floor, and he stands in the corner on offense and shoots threes.

His role is strictly off the ball, carrying one of the lowest usage rates in the league for the past five seasons, not finding himself over 10% usage since his 2016-17 campaign.

He would fit in perfectly next to three players who thrive with the ball in their hands in Kemba Walker, Brown, and Tatum. Opposing defenses will have to help off the corner when one of those three drives to the lane, leaving Tucker open in the corner for his favorite shot.

With the trade of James Harden, the Rockets have fully gone into rebuild mode, openly shopping both Tucker and the newly acquired guard Victor Oladipo — who some would argue should be a target for Boston as well. It makes sense for them to get something in return for the veteran, as he’s in the last year of his deal.

Making just under $8 million dollars in the 2020-21 season, this trade would be on the safer side.

However, the Celtics can split up the TPE to use on multiple players, still leaving over $20 million to work with after a potential Tucker acquisition. This would definitely be the easiest deal to pull off, as Houston has no reason to keep him around.

Ultimately, Ainge will have the last decision in how he uses this historic traded player exception, but these are three names that fit his criteria.