17 Worst free agent signings in Boston Celtics history

Worst Boston Celtics free agent signing No. 3: Tristan Thompson

Tristan Thompson was a completely unnecessary signing by Ainge during his final offseason in charge in 2020, and what made bringing on the one-dimensional offensive big man even worse was the insistence by Brad Stevens, in his final season coaching, forcing him into the starting lineup.

Thompson’s well-documented Khloe Kardashian drama doesn’t belong in Boston, as the quick dismissal of Ime Udoka for similar issues showed us all.

Worst Boston Celtics free agent signing No. 2: Pervis Ellison

Pervis Ellison signed a six-year deal in 1994 with the Celtics and missed the entirety of the 1998-99 season and all but six games of the 1996-97 season. Even when Ellison did play, though, he underwhelmed.

Ellison once averaged over 50% shooting from the field, which is a low bar for a big man who primarily got his shot attempts at the rim. All the star power he flashed in Washington D.C. was gone by the time he suited up in Celtics green.

Worst Boston Celtics free agent signing No. 1: Travis Knight

The Rick Pitino era in Boston started off with a major oversight with the signing of one-year veteran Travis Knight to a seven-year contract. In a move that was indicative of the failures of the pre-Danny Ainge years, Knight lasted one season in a Celtics uniform before moving on elsewhere.

Had Knight played well elsewhere and thrived, the deal would’ve looked somewhat explainable. But that he peaked in 1997-98 with 6.5 points per game on 44% shooting made it the most notable misstep in the history of the Celtics franchise.