Report: NBA veteran may be returning to Boston Celtics

Per Bleacher Report’s Joseph Zucker, NBA insider Marc Stein has reported the Boston Celtics remain interested in Blake Griffin coming back to Boston for another season.

Last summer, the Celtics made it a point to add experienced players to their otherwise young roster. They relied on the likes of Al Horford and Marcus Smart to be the veteran voices in the locker room. Not to say Horford and Smart were not capable leaders, but when the second oldest player in the locker room is 28 years old, adding more experience in the locker room could rarely hurt.

With the acquisitions of Malcolm Brogdon and Griffin, that is exactly what they did.

33 years old at the time, Griffin signed a veteran minimum contract with the Boston Celtics in October of 2022, just before the new season started. The two sides agreed to a one-year, $2.9 million contract for the experienced big man to join the team.

Coming off a few years in Detroit and a brief stint with the Brooklyn Nets, it appears Griffin wanted to sign with a team that had a chance for a deep playoff run.

Before last season, Griffin had played in 12 NBA seasons and had never reached the conference finals. In his first season as a Celtic, they reached the Eastern Conference finals and were one game away from making their second straight finals appearance.

Not only did Griffin take a huge pay cut to play for the Celtics, but he also embraced the idea of doing whatever it took to bring home Banner 18; a mindset he demonstrated throughout the season by diving on the floor, taking charges, and hustling for offensive rebounds that led to second chance opportunities.

While Griffin and the Cs ultimately fell short of their goal, Griffin was a nice addition to the locker room and even contributed well when he saw time on the court.

It makes perfect sense for the Boston Celtics to re-sign Blake Griffin

Although only starting 16 games, Griffin appeared in over 40 games and could fill in wherever the Cs needed him. With the departure of Grant Williams, Mike Muscala, and Danilo Gallinari, it would make sense for the Boston Celtics to bring Griffin back on another minimum deal. For Cs fans who still are not sold on the Veteran’s contributions, maybe this will help:

Griffin showcases his willingness to make the “winning play” in addition to offensive contributions under the rim, behind the arc, and as a passer. On the defensive side, he has shown he is not afraid to give up his body. After all, before joining the Celtics last season, he was the league leader in charges taken from the season prior. In addition to all that, what Celtics fan doesn’t love a breakout game against the Philadelphia 76ers?

For more information on Griffin’s potential return, please read fellow Hardwood Houdini contributor, Sam LaFrance’s article linked here.