Boston Celtics: 5 defenders Cs should pursue this offseason
By Chris Conte
Boston Celtics target No. 3) Trevor Ariza
The man who set the NBA record for most times traded might add another jersey to his collection if he chooses to leave Miami in free agency this summer.
The Boston Celtics should hope they can be the team to add that jersey to his collection.
Although Trevor Ariza is not the defender he once was, he is still better than anything the Cs have coming off the bench. He has the size, length, and experience of being a defensive asset for the team.
He’s been in the league for 16 years now and has played in 106 playoff games.
Boston can leverage Ariza’s size against more enormous wings such as Kevin Durant or Giannis Antetokounmpo in isolation, or they can use him as a help-side wing against bigs that live in the post like Joel Embiid.
His defensive versatility would greatly help the Celtics defense, and his career 37 percent 3-point mark doesn’t hurt either.
Ariza and Horford could stabilize the bench unit’s defense with their high IQ and rim protection while the Cs buy some time to rest Tatum and Williams.
At 36 years old, Ariza would not demand much and would be more than willing to sign with Boston if they promised him a chance at a ring.