11 Former Celtics that are still available on the free agent market

The Boston Celtics kept the band together after a dominant title run. Jayson Tatum and Derrick White signed long-term extensions as they have 13 of their 15 players from last season back. The Celtics plan on dominating again and are willing to pay a massive tax bill to repeat.

The free agency period has slowed to a crawl. Boston has an open roster spot, but they will likely wait until closer to the playoffs to fill it. That allows them to lower their tax bill and see who becomes available during the regular season.

These former Celtics are still free agents and searching for an opportunity. 23 teams have at least one roster spot available for a guaranteed contract. There will be movement, but the remaining free agents are likely stuck accepting minimum contracts. These players hope to find a deal.

11. Svi Mykhailiuk

Mykhailiuk won a championship with the Celtics last season. He played in just eight of their 19 playoff games and was limited to mop-up duties. The 6’7 wing is a plus shooter in the middle of his prime, but he has struggled to nail down a consistent role during his six years in the NBA.

Mykhailiuk should get offers for training camp invites. He may decide to return to Europe if a more lucrative contract is available. There will be interest, but the 27-year-old needs to find the right opportunity.

The Boston Celtics won't bring him back for the 2024-25 season. His season in Beantown will always be remembered for winning a championship, but it is time for a fresh opportunity.

Svi Mykhailiuk should try to find a franchise searching for shooting and with minutes available on the wing. He may be best suited to wait for an injury but expect the 6’7 wing to be playing somewhere when training camp rolls around.

10. Javonte Green

Green went undrafted in 2015 before playing four years overseas. The 6’4 wing had a fantastic showing for Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany during the 2018-19 season, which earned him an NBA opportunity with the Celtics.

He spent 73 games with Boston over parts of two seasons before being traded to the Bulls in the three-team deal that brought Luke Kornet and Moe Wagner to the Celtics. Green averaged 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.1 minutes per game in green.

The 30-year-old spent parts of the last four seasons in Chicago but played just nine NBA games last year. He parlayed a ten-day contract into a guaranteed deal. Now, Green is back on the market and searching for his next opportunity.

The Bulls are rebuilding and do not need a 30-year-old wing coming off their bench. Can Javonte Green find a new NBA home or is he forced to head back overseas to continue his playing career? There has been no news yet, but Green is searching for his next opportunity.

If he wants more run, Green’s best bet is to head to Europe. The 6’4 guard can earn more money in the NBA and must prioritize what matters most to him for his next shot.

9. Lamar Stevens

Stevens joined the Celtics in the 2023 offseason after being waived by the Spurs. Boston was searching for wing options behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but the 27-year-old struggled to find playing time. He appeared in just 19 games and played a total of 122 total minutes before being traded to the Grizzlies in February.

Memphis had a historically bad season in terms of injuries, which left minutes for Stevens. The 6’6 wing averaged 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 23.0 minutes per game. It was over just 19 contests but shows what Stevens is capable of.

The 27-year-old has a career negative-0.8 value over replacement player (VORP) and produced 0.0 last season, which was the best mark of his career. He is a subpar shooter with questionable defense. Stevens should be in his prime but must make shots to play more minutes.

Jayson Tatum and the Celtics loved having Lamar Stevens on their roster. That should bode well for him to get an opportunity in the coming season. He just needs the right chance.

Stevens must improve on both ends if he wants to earn more playing time wherever he lands. Expect him to put in work this offseason and keep an eye out to see his next destination.

8. Oshae Brissett

The Celtics are mulling bringing Brissett back for a second season in Boston. Brad Stevens gave a specific answer about him returning during summer league.

The Celtics are most likely to keep that roster spot open for a chuck of the regular season, but Brissett should find a home. The 26-year-old did not get much run in Boston last season, but he was part of the Pacers rotation for two straight years before joining the Celtics.

Brissett likely wants more playing time and should look for a chance to compete for nightly minutes on the wing. He is a subpar shooter with some defensive questions, but finding a 6’7 bench option with upside is always appealing.

The Boston Celtics would love to have Oshae Brissett back on their bench, but playing time will be difficult to find. He is entering his prime and can offer more. Does Brissett find that opportunity? Teams are always searching for wing depth and multiple rebuilding teams will be looking to fill their roster with minimum free agents ahead of training camp.

Brissett should be on an NBA roster next season. It will likely be a minimum contract or non-guaranteed deal. Things will be on the 6’7 wing to prove he deserves playing time, and his former Celtics teammates will be rooting for him.

7. Tristan Thompson

Thompson was the fourth overall draft pick in 2011 and played a key role in LeBron’s second stint with the Cavaliers. Cleveland made the NBA Finals four straight years and won the franchise’s lone championship in 2016. Thompson averaged nearly 30 minutes per game in the playoffs as he offered strong rebounding and finishing inside.

The 6’9 big man left the Cavs for Boston in the 2020 offseason. He lasted just one season in Beantown where he produced 7.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 23.8 minutes per game. The Celtics were bounced by the Nets in the first round of the playoffs, and they traded Thompson in the offseason.

He struggled to find a consistent role after leaving Boston. He has played for five different teams in three years and that includes him missing the entire 2022-23 regular season as he wasn’t signed until just before the playoffs.

The 33-year-old is best suited as a third-string center at this stage of his career. He still cleans the glass and finishes inside efficiently. Tristan Thompson will only play limited minutes, but he offers championship experience and strong rebounding. The 6’9 big man has played in eight of the last ten postseasons and could help a contender at some point this season.

6. Evan Fournier

The Celtics acquired Fournier from the Magic in 2021, but the wing had a short stay in Boston. He played in just 21 games, including five postseason contests before leaving for the Knicks in an offseason sign-and-trade. Fournier was a key role player in his prime during his short stint in green, but things quickly went downhill.

The 31-year-old has barely played over the last two years. He fell out of Tom Thibodeau’s rotation and his struggles continued after being dealt to Detroit at the 2024 deadline.

The 6’6 wing is a free agent and has made his intentions of staying in the NBA clear. He is currently playing for the French National Team and expects to play a key role in their Olympic gold chase. Fournier hopes a strong showing in Paris leads to a fresh NBA contract that features a shot at earning a nightly rotation role.

Evan Fournier’s play has dropped off on both ends of the floor. How much of that was the inconsistent role and lack of confidence? He has continued to shine for his national team and the Olympics could help him land a contract. Fournier likely has to settle for the minimum and must find the right opportunity to rebuild his value. 

5. Isaiah Thomas

Celtics fans love IT. The 5’9 point guard transformed from the final pick in the 2011 draft to a star. Boston traded Tayshaun Prince, Marcus Thornton, and a first-round pick to land him at the 2015 deadline. Thomas played his best basketball in Beantown. He was a two-time All-Star and helped the Celtics to the playoffs three straight years.

Thomas was on another level in the 2016-17 season. He averaged 28.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 0.9 steals in 33.8 minutes per game. IT was one of the best scorers in the league as he earned second-team All-NBA honors and finished fifth in MVP voting. The point guard led a young roster to the conference finals, but his breakout opened the door for the Celtics to trade him to Cleveland in the package that netted Kyrie Irving.

Thomas has struggled with injuries since leaving Boston. He has not played more than 40 games in a season since 2017. The 5’9 guard appeared in just six games with the Suns last season and has only played in 31 over the last four years. He is searching for another NBA opportunity, but finding one won’t be easy.

Isaiah Thomas remains a fan-favorite in Boston, and everyone hopes he gets his storybook ending. His injuries make it unlikely, but the desire is certainly there.

4. Danilo Gallinari

Gallinari never played a game for the Celtics. He signed a two-year contract with the franchise in the 2022 offseason but tore his ACL in a workout. Gallinari missed the entire season, and Boston traded him as part of the package to land Kristaps Porzingis.

The 6’10 forward struggled in his comeback campaign. He was traded again and played for three different teams. For the Bucks, Gallo struggled to lock down consistent minutes and had issues scoring. It was the first time as fans know him most for being a bucket.

It is fair to question how much Gallinari has left in the tank. He turns 36 in August and has been in the NBA since 2008. The veteran has recovered from two ACL surgeries and is coming off the worst season of his career. It may be time to retire as there have been no rumblings of interested teams this offseason.

Injury prevented Danilo Gallinari from suiting up, but he spent the entire 2022-23 season on the Celtics roster. He did not get a chance to thrill fans with his shooting and scoring chops. The 6’10 forward missed his shot to play in Boston. Stay tuned to see what is next for the veteran forward.

3. Marcus Morris Sr.

The 6’8 forward has played for eight different franchises in his 13-year NBA career, including two seasons in Boston. He helped them make the conference finals in 2018 and was a key floor spacer.

The 34-year-old has bounced around the league since leaving Beantown. He signed with the Knicks as a free agent in 2019. Morris Sr. has been traded three times and spent time on six different teams over the last five years. He started last season in Philadelphia before being dealt to San Antonio in the Buddy Hield trade. Morris finished the year in Cleveland.

The 6’8 forward is one of the top remaining free agents. He has proven to be a quality rotation piece capable of helping a contender. Morris has shot over 40 percent from 3-point range over the last five years combined. He offers defensive versatility, experience, and scoring to any roster.

Several teams are rumored to be interested in signing Marcus Morris Sr. to a veteran minimum contract. The 34-year-old hoped to get more, but figures to select a franchise before training camp for his 14th NBA season. He likely joins a contender. It just won't be the Celtics.

2. Gordon Hayward

Hayward joined the Celtics on a four-year max contract in 2017. He was coming off an All-Star season but played just five minutes with Boston before suffering a career-altering ankle injury. The 6’7 forward never regained his peak form and left to join the Hornets in a 2020 sign-and-trade.

Hayward has struggled to stay healthy in recent years. He has not played more than 52 games in a season since 2019 and suffered multiple leg injuries.

Charlotte traded him to the Thunder at the 2024 deadline, but things did not go as planned for the veteran. He lost confidence in his shot and fell completely out of Oklahoma City's playoff rotation. He took three shots in seven games and did not score in the postseason.

The 34-year-old is one of the best free agents left on the market, but franchises are questioning what he can offer. His floor spacing and playmaking are key as his defense has slipped with age. If Gordon Hayward is hesitant to shoot, that quickly becomes a problem for any contender.

The former Celtic will get another shot in the NBA. He wants more playing time than he got in Oklahoma City and is still searching for the right opportunity.

1. Jae Crowder

The 2012 second-round draft pick arrived in Boston in 2014 as part of the trade that sent Rajon Rondo to Dallas. Crowder quickly blossomed into a key role player. He defended multiple positions, got buckets, and helped the Celtics make three straight playoff appearances. Boston reached the conference finals in 2017 before Crowder was sent to Cleveland in the Kyrie Irving trade.

The 6’6 forward has been in the playoffs every year since 2014. He played a key role in the Heat taking out the Celtics in the 2020 playoffs inside the bubble. Crowder has suited up for six different teams since leaving Boston and has won everywhere he has gone.

His minutes and production have dropped off over the last two years in Milwaukee, and it is fair to question how much the 34-year-old has left in the tank. He fell out of the Bucks playoff rotation in 2024 and has not looked the same since his 2023 holdout in Phoenix.

All of these former Boston Celtics are searching for their next opportunity in the NBA. They will not be back in Beantown but expect multiple players to sign with other franchises before training camp. Boston is focused on their title defense. Fans certainly won’t want to miss that, but keep an eye out for where these talents land.