5 players that the Boston Celtics could bring home

Player No. 3 the Boston Celtics should bring home: Nerlens Noel

Nerlens Noel grew up very close to the Boston area in the town of Malden, MA, and attended Everett High School in the same state. He would go on to play his college ball at the University of Kentucky and would be drafted sixth overall in the 2013 draft, ultimately landing in a Sixers uniform following a draft-day trade with the Pelicans.

The six-foot-11 big man never quite lived up to the billing of a lottery pick in the NBA, but he has made a nice career for himself as one of the better backup centers in the association. With career averages of 7.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals per game on an incredibly solid 55% shooting overall.

The Boston Celtics have been internally tested with a series of injuries this year adding questions to if their depth at certain positions can hold up? Noel would provide the ideal backup to Robert Williams on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he is effective in the pick and roll and shoots a very high percentage at the rim. Defensively, he brings a similar level of rim protection as an interior defender and has quick hands to rack up steals.

They would likely have to engage in trade talks with the Knicks to acquire his services, but this is where one of the teams’ many trade player exceptions could come in handy. He’s been an absolute rock defensively for a young New York Knicks squad and would be a nice added card for Cs PBO Brad Stevens to have up his sleeve ready to deal out at moment.

The former lottery pick is on a team-friendly contract with two years remaining on a three-year deal worth only $32 million. At only 28 years old, the potential is still there for improvement and success in the right system. There’s a chance to add another plus defender to an elite defensive bunch if Noel can be had at the right price.