Boston Celtics: 2 free agents Cs must pounce on immediately

This Boston Celtics season has not inspired confidence from fans of the co-winningest franchise in NBA history. The Los Angeles Lakers just won their second championship in the last decade–good for two more than the Cs in the same time span–and look primed to contend for another one in 2021.

No one is saying that about Boston right now. The Celtics are hovering one game above .500 with the New Orleans Pelicans on the docket this afternoon in the Big Easy.

Zion Williamson could demoralize the Cs with physical dominance, and the struggling Pels–winners of just one of their last six games–could use Boston as a springboard to a midseason run themselves.

As losses pile up and the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers continue to separate themselves as the two leaders of the Eastern Conference, Danny Ainge is running out of rope. He needs to reel Cs fans back as soon as possible.

Hardwood Houdini was optimistic about the team’s offseason, with several being particularly high on the Jeff Teague signing.

After a strong start to the season standing in for Kemba Walker, his game has declined…sharply. His shooting percentage has plummeted to 32%. That would stand as his lowest conversion rate since his rookie season, and it’d be almost eight percentage points lower than his 2009-10 output.

Boston’s other free agent signing, Tristan Thompson, has not lived up to his contract. Originally the starting center, he has been replaced by Daniel Theis whenever the German center can go.

These offseason shortcomings have revealed that the roster needs work. Before Ainge considers any core-shaking trades, he should pursue these free agents instead: