Friday afternoon, the Phoenix Suns waived Cole Anthony, per ESPN's Shams Charania. The sixth-year guard never played a game for his now former team. He began this season with the Milwaukee Bucks. In 35 appearances, he averaged 6.7 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per contest.
While the former North Carolina star is a recognizable name, the Boston Celtics should look elsewhere as they make their final roster arrangements before the playoffs.
As previously detailed, the franchise will follow a path to remain under the luxury tax for the rest of the league year. That means it will revert to only carrying 12 players again after the expiration of the 10-day deals John Tonje and Dalano Banton are on. They can do so for 14 days. Then, on Mar. 14, expect the organization to convert Max Shulga to a 10-day deal.
The Celtics will also need to sign one other player. One option is inking Banton to a pact for the rest of the season. Another is pursuing someone like Anthony or Lonzo Ball.
Why the Celtics should pass on Cole Anthony
Boston could use another ball handler behind Derrick White and Payton Pritchard. That's why some point to the possibility of acquiring a player like Ball or Anthony on the buyout market.
However, regarding the latter, he isn't much of a defender or a shooter. Taking a chance on a 25-year-old former 15th overall pick makes sense. But Anthony doesn't seem like a good enough fit, even if it's only a 10-day deal or a contract for the rest of the season.
The Celtics will, most likely, wait until the end of the current campaign to convert Ron Harper Jr.'s two-way deal into a standard arrangement. Doing so before their final regular-season tilt is the best way to balance the books and stay under the luxury tax. They will probably sign him to a multi-year pact.
As for Boston's other roster vacancy, Ball is a more intriguing option than Anthony. He is a much better system fit. Also, despite his injury concerns, he is the more talented of the two.
So, while Anthony is a recognizable name with untapped upside, he hasn't demonstrated enough to this point in his career and isn't impactful enough of a two-way player for this author to believe he is the Celtics' best possible option when evaluating what roster moves they might make between now and the end of the season.