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Boston Celtics: 5 free agents to pursue from the Northwest division

By Nick Swanson

May 2, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) works the ball against Portland Trail Blazers forward Norman Powell (24) in the fist quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) works the ball against Portland Trail Blazers forward Norman Powell (24) in the fist quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Timberwolves – Ed Davis, C

Ed Davis is the definition of a career role player, and that’s not a bad thing at all. He’s been on seven different teams over his twelve-year career, only starting 103 games in that span.

Davis has never been great, some would even say he’s never been good, he’s an average NBA player. But he’s good at what he’s asked to do and that’s good enough for me.

The role of the veteran big man is one that has been around forever, the end of Shaq’s career, Udonis Haslem with the Heat, Tyson Chandler recently with the Rockets. They may not play but they earn the roster spot because of the impact they have on younger players and that is exactly what Davis has been bouncing around teams for. Teams bring him in for that locker room experience for their players to grow and then allow him to move on to whoever else needs him.

The Celtics need Davis. Robert Williams looks like a stud now but if he were to spend a season learning and playing alongside Davis, his development will improve dramatically. Just look at the players he’s been around; Julius Randle, Jusuf Nurkic, Jarrett Allen, plus Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns after they had already blossomed into stars.