After just three days of NBA free agency, the list of available impact-free agents has dwindled into the single digits. The Boston Celtics have only grabbed one in Enes Kanter and are currently out of roster spots, but with the Tristan Thompson trade still unfinished, there’s reason to believe Boston could make room for one of the few free agents left on the market.
It was rumored that Brad Stevens wanted to send more salary out in both the Thompson deal and the Richardson deal but has only sent out Moses Brown’s salary apart from the other critical departing pieces. It’s reasonable to believe the Boston Celtics are working on sending more out with Thompson so they can free up the full MLE and a roster spot for a more prepared contributor.
The Celtics are not equipped for high-level contention this season with the roster they have. They lack perimeter shooting, competent passing, and depth, which means they are bound to repeat their lofty achievements last season. This is unacceptable no matter what their long-term plan is.
Wasting a year of the Jays should never be an option, let alone wasting two, especially when there are ways to improve the team on the market.
Here are a couple of names still on the market that could drastically improve Boston’s chances at banner #18:
Boston Celtics free-agent target #1: Dennis Schroder
After a solid two seasons with the Thunder and the Lakers, Dennis Schroder went into free agency, believing he could net up to $80 million from a team. However, Schroder has yet to find any interest, and all the groups with the possible spending power to meet Schroder’s demands have dried up, leaving him a few choices.
His first option is he can go to one of the NBA’s bottom feeders like the Thunder or the Magic, who have tons of cap space, and see if they will pay him what he wants. His second option is to leave his dreams behind of being paid $20 million a season and sign a one or two-year deal worth the full MLE with a contender, thereby securing a payday and securing a spot on a high-level roster.
Considering Schroder will be coming from a highly touted playoff team, I doubt he chooses the former over the latter, which is where the Boston Celtics come in.
The Celts could use some support at point guard, seeing as their rotation is very shallow. Brining in Schroder allows Marcus Smart more time at shooting guard, where he’s had a lot of success in the past, and limits Josh Richardson’s touches as a primary ball-handler.
Schroder may not be the shooter the Cs need, but he can provide some high-level creation and defense off the bench, something the Celtics need just as much as they need shooting. If the Boston Celtics can free up their full MLE and grab Schroeder off the market, this free agency goes from a shameful loss to a notorious victory.
Boston Celtics free-agent target #2: Garrison Matthews
I’ve discussed the possibility of Garrison Matthews coming to the Boston Celtics on multiple occasions, far more than I should have, but with recent reports surfacing, now is the time to pick up the swingman.
The Washington Wizards retracted their qualifying offer to Garrison Matthews, making him a plausible target for the Cs to pursue now that they don’t have to perform a sign and trade to free Matthews.
Although the Wizards retracting their offer may not sound like a good thing, implying that he’s not worth what they paid him, it’s a lot better than how it sounds. If Washington determined Matthews wasn’t worth paying, as a two-way player for the last two seasons, Matthews wouldn’t be seeking a big contract since he’s on the ropes of falling out of the NBA. He’ll be in line to sign a minimum contract, one the Boston Celtics can easily offer.
Getting Matthews on a minimum deal is a no risk-extremely high reward scenario that the Boston Celtics should be keen on pursuing. He’s on the younger side, which means he has some upside the Cs could unlock, but he’s also proven himself in the last two seasons with the Washington Wizards.
He’s a capable team defender and a natural off-ball shooter, two things the Celtics desperately need to add to their depth chart. If the Celts can free up a roster spot, then Garrison Matthews should consider filling it.
Boston Celtics free-agent target #3: Paul Milsap
Every Boston Celtics fan probably remembers Paul Millsap from his days playing next to Al Horford in Atlanta but has a spotty memory of his more recent activities. Millsap has been winding down his career with the Denver Nuggets, but at the same time playing a pivotal role in their hopes to win a championship under Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Malone.
He may not be the player he once was back in 2016, but Millsap can still provide impact on both ends and be a steady voice in the locker room for a low price.
With the signing of Jeff Green, it appears to be unlikely that the Denver Nuggets bring back Paul Millsap, making him one of the sole free agents left on the baren market. Given how all of the Boston Celtics moves have involved bringing in proven NBA players, it’s reasonable to assume that Paul Millsap is on Brad Stevens’ board.
If he’s willing to take a minimum deal as Enes Kanter did, Millsap is well worth the roster spot if the Cs can open one up. Millsap gives the Celts much better power forward depth behind Jayson Tatum, offering crisp decision-making, good team defense, and lower-level shooting.
The Boston Celtics don’t need Millsap to be the All-Star he once was; they need him to be a more innovative version of Ojeleye, which he is perfectly capable of doing.