10 Players Celtics could sign to fill their roster after trade deadline

The Boston Celtics only made one move at this year’s trade deadline. They sent Jaden Springer and a second-round pick to the Houston Rockets, effectively dumping his salary to clear up some room on their books. Houston has since waived Springer, but the Celtics cannot legally sign him back to their roster this season.

Getting rid of Springer means the Celtics now have 13 players on standard contracts. The NBA minimum is 14, so Boston will have to sign at least one player, and they could very well choose to sign two to bring their roster size up to 15 ahead of the playoffs. Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe noted that Boston plans to scour the buyout market for potential options.

Here are 10 players the Celtics could look to sign.

1. JD Davison

For the past three years, the Celtics have had JD Davison on a two-way contract. This is the last year he can be on a two-way deal with the team, and now could be an ideal time to reward him for his hard work in the G League.

Davison has been one of the best players in the G League for the past two seasons, and with Springer gone, Boston could use the extra guard depth. 

Though his lack of a consistent three-point shot and shaky defense may mean he never truly sticks as an NBA player, rewarding him for his work within the organization for the past three years could be a solid option.

2. Drew Peterson

Boston signed Drew Peterson to a two-way contract around this time last year after they converted Neemias Queta’s deal to a standard contract. Now, it could be Peterson’s turn.

He’s played well in Maine this year and has earned some opportunities in Boston throughout the course of the regular season. Peterson’s three-point shooting and on-ball creation have stood out as potentially NBA-ready skills.

3. Seth Curry

Springer’s absence may cause the Celtics to look to the guard spot for potential additions, and Seth Curry could be an interesting acquisition, especially as a veteran in the locker room.

Curry isn’t the same player he once was, but he can hit shots and give the Celtics some decent regular-season minutes.

4. Torrey Craig

The Chicago Bulls waived Torrey Craig to make room for their additions via the Zach LaVine trade to the Sacramento Kings. Now, Craig will hit the open market.

Craig is far from the prime of his career, but he’s still a big body who can hit some shots. Similar to Curry (and most other players on this list), he would probably just give them some regular-season minutes.

5. Oshae Brissett

If the Celtics feel like pursuing a reunion, Oshae Brissett just made his return to basketball, inking a G League contract with the Long Island Nets.

Brissett’s energy and rebounding gave the Celtics a solid look last season, highlighted by his court time in the Eastern Conference finals. That said, Brissett reportedly declined his player option because he wanted to play real minutes, and those aren’t there in Boston right now.

6. Lonnie Walker IV

Before the season began, the Celtics reportedly looked to dump Springer’s contract so they could keep Lonnie Walker IV, who they had on the roster during the preseason and training camp.

Walker has been playing overseason in Lithuania but has an NBA buyout clause. However, Walker hasn’t been playing particularly well with Zalgiris, so this may not be the best idea.

7. Daniel Theis

After spending the first part of this season with the New Orleans Pelicans, Daniel Theis was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who subsequently waived him.

Now, Theis will search for his next NBA landing spot, and another reunion with the Celtics could be an option. Boston already has a ton of bigs on their roster, though, so this idea may start and end there.

8. PJ Tucker

There probably isn’t much left in the tank with PJ Tucker, but he’s certainly a fiery presence. Tucker’s defensive intensity would at least make the end of Boston’s regular season entertaining.

If the Celtics just want a veteran to come in and bring his experience to the locker room, Tucker could be an option.

9. Jalen Hood-Schifino

Depending on what direction the Celtics want to go in, taking a flyer on Jalen Hood-Schifino could make some sense. If they like his upside, even a little bit, signing him to an end-of-the-roster contract would be a way to get a closer look.

Boston could even look to elevate Davison or Peterson then sign Hood-Schifino to a two-way deal once he clears waivers.

10. Reggie Jackson

If replacing the guard depth Springer brought to the table is Boston’s top priority, Reggie Jackson could be an option for the Celtics to consider.

Jackson is well past his prime years, and he definitely wouldn’t get any run in the postseason, but his ball-handling would allow the Celtics to throw an extra body out there during the regular season.