Boston Celtics: 3 expiring contract free agent replacements

There is positive momentum for the Boston Celtics. Really positive.

We’re talking 7-4 in their last 11 games positive. Following a dominant 105-87 win over the Denver Nuggets that saw Boston go on a 40-8 run to take over and take down one of the west’s best, there is reason to believe that Brad Stevens has figured out what this group can do.

Offensively, it should be able to do plenty down the stretch in 2020-21–ideally enough to secure home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs–but the narrative of the current team that history will be ultimately written in the postseason.

2020-21 could have major 2015-16 vibes, for better or for worse.

That Isaiah Thomas-led outfit was known for overachieving, while the current team has underachieved in many regards. That said, that 2015-16 unit won 48 games and was part of a shark tank of an Eastern Conference tournament bracket.

Four teams won 48 games that year, and Boston ended up as an ousted-in-the-first-round #6-seed when it was all said and done. It was at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks, who coincidentally currently occupy the aforementioned #4 Eastern Conference playoff seed the Cs covet.

That exact scenario playing out in 2021, with Trae Young, John Collins, and Danilo Gallinari leading the way for Atlanta, isn’t impossible to envision.

What also isn’t impossible to envision is an underwhelming season ending in an underwhelming postseason finish and Ainge changing up the roster once more.

With 11 guaranteed deals on the books, and some of those far from guaranteed to remain on 2021-22 opening night (*cough Tristan Thompson *cough) there is room for free agent additions.

Here’s who they are, and who they could replace in 2021 Boston Celtics free agency: