Apparently, the Boston Celtics have an ace in the hole when it comes to recruiting free agents–specifically from a franchise in San Antonio that has a track record for developing prospects–in new head coach Ime Udoka.
The former Spurs assistant spent seven years in the Alamo City as Gregg Popovich’s right-hand man. He held that same role for the last two years in Philadelphia and then Brooklyn this past season coaching teams with gaudy expectations but paltry results.
While he can certainly serve as a recruiter to Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie and any 2019-20 Sixers hitting the market (Alec Burks, Mike Scott, James Ennis), apparently, it will be his San Antonio ties that could aid the front office in nabbing free agents.
Per MassLive’s Brian Robb, the Cs might be able to nab a trio of former Spurs:
"The Philadelphia Inquirer reported last month that Green ‘probably wouldn’t be a Sixer’ moving forward. Meanwhile, the Spurs are expected to be going in a younger direction as Mills and Gay hit the unrestricted market. A case could be made for any of the three but it’s possible Boston will be priced out of their markets. Either way, Udoka’s connection with any player in that group could be a tiebreaker in negotiations."
Naturally, our next question is naturally: should they pass or should they pursue?
Let’s take a look:
Spurs target #1 Ime Udoka could help Boston Celtics land: Danny Green
Danny Green is coming off of a season where he made over $15 million. Considering the whopping albatross Joe Harris inked last summer to remain with the Nets, it’s possible a team invests the full MLE (at least) to land the former NBA Champion.
The Cs shouldn’t be one of them. Aaron Nesmith fills the role Green would occupy, making that money better spent elsewhere.