2 realistic MLE candidates that have emerged for the Boston Celtics

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 15: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Atlanta Hawks looks to pass during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at State Farm Arena on February 15, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 15: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Atlanta Hawks looks to pass during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at State Farm Arena on February 15, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
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We may only be two weeks removed from the final game of the year for the Boston Celtics and, in turn, the official start of the 2022 NBA offseason, but already we’ve witnessed a bevy of moves take place that have shaken up the league’s news cycles.

From buyouts to blockbusters, we’ve seen several transactions executed thus far into the early stages of summer, and, while Boston fans may have hoped to have seen their favorite ball club partake in some of these dealings (we at HH still think Brad Stevens and co. could have offered a better deal for Dejounte Murray than the Hawks did), there’s still a chance that, in one way or another, they could be positively impacted by them.

Though they may have several TPE’s at their disposal, the C’s most likely route to bringing on some new complementary pieces to better surround Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and this championship-aspiring squad heading into 2022-23 is by utilizing the league’s Mid-Level Exception, which currently holds a standard value of up to $10.3 million and a taxpayer’s value of $6.3 million.

The shamrocks, in all likelihood, will have to abide by the confines of the latter exception due to their inflated salary cap situation but, fret not, for, despite this lesser amount of available money, there are still plenty of competent players out there who could be more than willing to take a pay cut in order to join the reigning Eastern Conference champs who brought Golden State to 6 games in this year’s NBA Finals.

In fact, there are 2 quality options the Boston Celtics would love to have on their roster that, due to recent events, could soon become premier MLE candidates: