The free-agent market just added a useful veteran in Danuel House. Being cut by the Houston Rockets actually bodes well for the 28-year old, who has been deemed too productive for the team’s likely tank-centric goals. So…where do the Boston Celtics fit into this mix?
Well, it depends. The Cs are stocked on the perimeter, but few wings have actually stood out to the point of believing this core is perfect as is. Far from it. And I say this coming off a valiant comeback effort from the Cs powered by 26 points by Josh Richardson and Aaron Nesmith as well.
So, what would it take for the Boston Celtics to consider adding House on a free-agent contract?
Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens has to figure out what he’s doing for the end of the roster. Juan Hernangomez has scored six points in his last 25 minutes and Jabari Parker has played five minutes all month.
Both forwards have the capability of playing the 4, but with the Cs consistently giving minutes to Robert Williams, Al Horford, Grant Williams, and Enes Kanter Freedom, there isn’t much time to go around for the aforementioned deep bench reserves.
Cutting them would force more small-ball arrangements, and most certainly have Jayson Tatum playing much more at the power forward spot. That’d be a victory in and of itself considering the lack of success Boston has had over the last two years going with a double-big lineup. Keep in mind, House is physical enough to man the 4 and proved as much playing for Mike D’Antoni’s small-ball Rockets in 2019-20.
When it comes down to it, House is an upgrade from both Parker and Hernangomez defensively and offensively, assuming he can regain his 3-point shooting form from years’ past.
If Stevens can find a deal for ‘Juancho’ or simply decides the Parker comeback story is better off continuing elsewhere, House should find a home in Boston.