The Boston Celtics have reached the conference finals four times in the last six years as Jayson Tatum has gone from top pick to superstar. The 25-year-old has been first-team All-NBA for two straight years and is just entering his prime, but he has been unable to lift the Celtics to their 18th championship.
The Celtics are facing an inflection point for their franchise. They are going to have to pay Tatum and Jaylen Brown if they want to continue building around their two stars, but the roster will soon get expensive. Brad Stevens and the brain trust will have to decide how to maximize their talent as they enter the second tax apron.
This summer, Boston should be focused on improving their roster and adding more talent around Tatum. They are already in the tax without re-signing Grant Williams, but the Celtics could decide to shake things up. Who could they go after on the open market?
Boston Celtics potential free agent targets with ties to Jayson Tatum
9. Rui Hachimura
Hachimura becomes a restricted free agent this summer, and the six-foot-eight forward made some extra money after being traded to the Lakers. He stepped up in the playoffs, including averaging over 15 points per game in the conference finals and having four 20-point contests in the postseason. The 25-year-old is a former lottery pick that has size and athletic ability — and is just scratching the surface of his potential.
Tatum and Hachimura both signed with Jordan Brand in 2019 and are now aligned with Luka Doncic, Russell Westbrook, and others. They were both top-ten picks and have massive worldwide fan bases.
The Lakers have the right to match any offer Rui Hachimura receives this summer, but will they? If they plan to pursue Kyrie Irving or another star player, it will likely come at the cost of Hachimura. Could that open the door for Boston? Jayson Tatum would have to convince him to come for the mid-level exception or the Celtics would have to execute a sign-and-trade scenario for the six-foot-eight forward. It is unlikely, but possible given his Jordan Brand connection to Tatum.