8 players the Boston Celtics signed past their prime

Entering each offseason, the goal of every NBA team, for the most part, is to improve the roster. One of the biggest ways to do so is via free agency. For some of the more marquee-run organizations in the Association, the free agency period has evolved into an opportunity to sign some of the biggest names in the game. One of the franchises that has benefitted most from free agency has been the Boston Celtics.

While the Celtics have had some big free-agency hits over the years, there have also been a few misses. Let’s explore eight players the Celtics signed in free agency that didn’t exactly work out, in large part because they were well beyond their prime years.

8 Players the Boston Celtics signed well past their prime years in the NBA

Stephon Marbury (2009)

Coming out of Georgia Tech, Stephon Marbury was one of the most highly-touted prospects in a very talented 1996 NBA Draft. He was eventually selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the No. 4 overall pick. After an up-and-down first 12 seasons in the NBA, the Boston Celtics decided to take a flier on the 32-year-old Marbury after he was bought out by the New York Knicks during the 2008-09 season.

However, it was clear that the signing didn’t work out for either side pretty quickly. After averaging 14 points and five assists in 34 minutes per game with the Knicks through the first half of the season, Marbury would only average four points and three assists in 18 minutes per game in 23 appearances for the Celtics.

If it wasn’t clear already, Marbury was well past his prime years in the Association, and that stint with the Celtics also ended up being the last time he would ever play in the NBA again.