Boston Celtics: 2 free agents Cs should consider post Jaylen Brown injury
By Mark Nilon
Boston Celtics free agent target No. 1) DeMarre Carroll
First up, we see veteran forward DeMarre Carroll, a player who, by no means is anywhere close to the talent that Jaylen Brown is, but one who could provide several positive attributes to this young and struggling team.
Best known for his 3-and-D abilities, Carroll boasts career averages of 8.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and just under a steal per game on 43 percent shooting from the floor and 36 percent shooting from deep.
A 12-year veteran, the 34-year-old wing last found himself logging minutes for the Houston Rockets back in 2019-20 and, while his production may not have been the best on paper — six points & 2.7 rebounds through nine games played — keep in mind that the last time he was tasked with having a meaningful role within a rotation (2018-19 with Brooklyn), Carroll managed to thrive.
Through 67 games played in 2018-19, the wing posted per-game averages of 11.1 points and 5.2 rebounds on 40 percent shooting from the field and 34 percent shooting from deep whilst boasting the sixth-best win shares total on the entire team.
Be it to serve as a two-way player on the hardwood or a vocal leader within the locker room and on the bench, should Ainge opt to look to the free agency route, he could do a whole lot worse than bringing on a guy like DeMarre Carroll.