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Boston Celtics: 3 high-risk, high-reward free agents Cs could sign

By Mark Nilon

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 28: Spencer Dinwiddie #26 of the Brooklyn Nets controls the ball during the second half of an NBA game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on February 28, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 28: Spencer Dinwiddie #26 of the Brooklyn Nets controls the ball during the second half of an NBA game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on February 28, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Michael Wyke/POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports /

Boston Celtics target No. 2) Victor Oladipo

This past season did not go as planned for Victor Oladipo.

After making his way out of Indiana early in the year, the shooting guard only lasted a short while at his next stop with the Houston Rockets before being dealt after 20 games played to the Miami Heat at the March 25th NBA Trade Deadline where, after just four games, he injured his right quadriceps tendon, requiring surgery which, ultimately, cut his campaign short at just 33 games played.

This added onto the fact that he reportedly rejected a two-year, $45 million extension from the Rockets during his tenure there, and an underwhelming/ upsetting free agency period seems to be on the horizon for the 28-year-old.

However, despite these unfortunate ordeals, without a doubt there’s bound to be a team willing to take a chance on the falling star this summer and, being that his value is seemingly rock-bottom low, he could be an ideal high-risk, high-reward option for the Boston Celtics to pursue, and we’re certainly not the only ones who think this.

Just two months ago, Bleacher Report writer, Mandela Namaste, penned a piece discussing where he predicts this year’s top free agents will wind up signing and, in his eyes, he sees Oladipo being an ideal match for the shamrocks:

"… just because Oladipo is not worth a max contract right now doesn’t mean he’s done in the NBA. Surely, some team will talk itself into taking a chance on the two-time All Star, and one of those interested clubs might be the Boston Celtics. Despite rostering Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart, Boston’s lack of depth has been one of its biggest flaws this year. The team has won seven of its last 10 games but is still just 32-29, tied for sixth in the East, and doesn’t have many pathways to significant improvement, given that (presumably) Tatum, Brown and Walker will all be on max or near-max contracts by the end of the summer. Buying low on Oladipo, putting him in Brad Stevens’ system and helping him play to his strengths might be just the low-risk, high-reward gamble the Celtics need to recharge their hopes of future contention."

Now, though a few things from this post have, of course, changed (Kemba is no longer in Beantown, Brad Stevens is no longer the head coach), the idea of buying low on Oladipo should still be a rather interesting concept for the Boston Celtics to consider.

Still on the right side of 30, the two-guard is a 2x All-Star who has proven himself to be an absolute menace on both ends of the floor and, over the last four years, boasts averages of 20.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.8 steals, and half a block per game on 44 percent shooting from the floor and 35 percent shooting from deep.

Yes, his injury history is something that could be rather concerning to some but at a cost-efficient price we believe he’s well worth taking a gamble on this summer.