Boston Celtics in on 11-year veteran wing on buyout market

The TD Garden could be getting an extra thrill on the buyout market should the interest between the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards wing Will Barton turn into a union on the buyout market post-trade deadline.

CelticsBlog’s Keith Smith reported the mutual interest between the franchise and the forward in his latest trade deadline buzz update. The 11-year veteran is averaging the lowest points per game total since his third season in the league in 2022-23 down in the nation’s capital.

If the Wizards aren’t able to find a deal for the 32-year-old, it makes sense for them to move on from the impending free agent. Boston is a natural fit for Barton, who was only able to get to the Western Conference finals during his seven and a half years in Denver and most certainly wouldn’t be reaching the title game in a loaded Eastern Conference this season.

The Boston Celtics could avoid dealing assets by shopping the buyout market

If the right deal doesn’t come around this trade deadline, Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens will have less incentive to force anything given the work he has done since taking over the team. Bringing back the beloved Al Horford in his first big move during in the 2021 offseason, following that up with landing Derrick White at last year’s trade deadline, and then landing Malcolm Brogdon last offseason will allow him to pick his spots and hold onto what he has considering the C’s record and Finals run under their belt if need be.

Once the deadline comes and goes, Boston will be a hot landing spot for free agents either serious about winning a title before their careers come to an end, or impending free agents looking to cash out by contributing to a contender. Or both.

Barton is just one example of an accomplished veteran who stuck it out for a long time on a team that couldn’t get over the hump who may see what Joe Mazzulla has done with this year’s team and sign on the dotted line.