3 free agents worth the Boston Celtics kicking the tires on
By Mark Nilon
![INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 01: Tyreke Evans #12 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball against the Detroit Pistons at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 01, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images) INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 01: Tyreke Evans #12 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball against the Detroit Pistons at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 01, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9323f1aa21403738c366c4681e5c85728a3807cc826f68b0e9bcfe65a332879a.jpg)
The Boston Celtics are on an absolute roll what with the fact that they have won 17 of their last 23 outings since the New Year and are currently on a nine-game winning streak.
As a result, Ime Udoka’s squad has gone from a sub-.500 team to one of the hottest ball clubs in the entire association in just a matter of weeks.
However, just because they’ve been playing lights out as of late, this is not to say that there still aren’t areas that must be addressed.
Perhaps the most glaring issue currently present for Boston is their lacking depth and, more specifically, heads found on the roster.
After their rather active trade deadline, the C’s managed to open up a total of five separate roster spots and, while two have already been filled with the signings of Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet, three still remain vacated.
Obviously at some point in the near future, Brad Stevens and co. will look to the open market to try and sign available players and, in turn, fill out the rest of this team’s roster. That said, the big question in regard to this aforementioned task is, of those that are available, who are actually worth signing?
Today, we at the Houdini discuss 3 free agents that we believe the Boston Celtics should consider kicking the tires on this season:
Boston Celtics free agent target No. 1) James Ennis
At the deadline, the Boston Celtics did quite a number of great things which, of course, were headlined by the fact that they dipped under the luxury tax and were able to acquire Derrick White in the process.
However, though there was far more good to have come the C’s way, this is not to say that there were a few deterrents seen along the way.
As a result of the deadline, Boston saw itself parting ways with their highly utilized wing, Josh Richardson, who, coming into February 10th, was playing some of his best brand of basketball in several years.
Now coach Ime Udoka will be tasked with trying to replace the steady 3-and-D presence by either promoting from within or having the front office bring on another player to fill a similar role and, while he may not have the same upside nor warrant the same usage as Richardson, a guy like James Ennis could be an intriguing option to consider adding.
An eight-year veteran, since 2017 Ennis finds himself boasting 12.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per 75 possessions on 46.5 percent shooting from deep and 35 percent shooting from the floor.
Just last season, in fact, the wing went on to post arguably his best full campaign as a pro, posting averages of 8.4 points and four boards per game on 47 percent shooting from the floor and 43 percent shooting from deep, while also showcasing the ability to effectively guard players from the two all the way down to the four when on defense.
Having already signed three separate 10-day contracts this season with three separate teams, Ennis proved that he is still capable of producing when given an opportunity (18.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per 75 possessions on 37.5 percent shooting from deep in seven games played) and, being that they could seriously use for a defensively versatile floor-spacing forward no that Richardson is gone, perhaps the Boston Celtics might wish to consider giving the31-year-old a call.