Boston Celtics: “Pass or Pursue” on 3 recently rumored buyout targets
By Mark Nilon
The Boston Celtics are in a bit of a pickle, ladies and gentlemen.
After a rough first half to the season, fans and analysts were under the impression that this team would be one of the more active participants at the 2021 NBA trade deadline in an effort to bring on some much-needed firepower to combat the likes of the other top-tier teams in the Eastern Conference.
Unfortunately, just like most years in recent memory, the deadline came and went without a major move made by this coy front office and, now, they find themselves right where they were coming into March 25th — as a mediocre team.
Though things may seem bleak, there are ways in which this team can still find ways to get back on track.
To some, this can be achieved internally, pinpointing specific keys to hone in on with their in-game schematics.
To others, the Cs still must try to lure in some added talent via the buyout market to help bolster their roster and, in turn, better fill out the team’s rotation.
Method number two seems to be a popular approach for the writing staff at Bleacher Report who, recently, published a piece discussing 3 specific buyout candidates they believe Boston should pursue.
B/R believes the Boston Celtics could look to pursue a few specific buyout candidates
Naturally, such a publication sparked the desire for us at the Houdini to push out yet another installment of our favorite series we call “Pass or Pursue”, where we discuss whether or not the Boston Celtics should sit out on a pursuit for a specific player, or if they should actively try to sign them.
So, without further adieu, let’s get started:
Boston Celtics buyout target No. 1) Kelly Olynyk
First up on the list we find a familiar face for the Boston Celtics franchise, Kelly Olynyk.
Selected 13th overall back in 2013, the Gonzaga product played four years with the shamrocks before landing himself a lucrative deal in free agency with the Miami Heat during the summer of 2017.
Now, as of this past deadline, the big man finds himself on the rebuilding Houston Rockets thanks to the deal that sent Victor Oladipo to South Beach. Not viewed as a long-term fit in Space City, writer Zach Buckley believes that, in the event that the tank-driven Rockets buy out the eighth-year veteran, the Cs should strongly consider bringing him back to the ‘the city and the system in which he’s been at his best.’
"Celtics coach Brad Stevens got plenty of mileage out of Olynyk’s size-skill combination, and the big man said the two built a relationship bigger than basketball over their four seasons together. “Coach Stevens is one of the greatest people I’ve ever met in the world,” Olynyk told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe in 2017. “Top to bottom. Good day, bad day. Sunday. Monday. Tuesday. Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, he’s an unbelievable human being. … I can’t thank him enough for how much he instilled whatever it was, habits, work ethic, just a way of thinking and a way of being in life into me the last four years.” The Celtics have been searching for a skilled center since Al Horford departed in 2019 free agency. Olynyk isn’t that caliber of player, but he is a reliable shooter and smart ball-mover. He could grease the bench group’s offensive gears a bit."
On the season, the center is finding himself poting averages of 10.6 points, six rebounds, 2.2 assists, one steal, and just shy of a block per game on 47 percent shooting from the floor.
With the fact that this team could seriously use for some offensive help off the pine, coupled with his familiarity with Brad Stevens’ scheme already, should the 6-11 Olynyk make it to the open market, the Boston Celtics should strongly consider signing him for, at this point, they need all the help they can get.