Analyst sees Boston Celtics pursuing ex-championship Dubs wing over ex-champ Spurs guard

MassLive's Brian Robb prefers the Boston Celtics pursue Otto Porter Jr., who was recently released by the Utah Jazz, and specifically, President Danny Ainge, over Gregg Popovich-coached ex-San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills; who received a buyout from the Atlanta Hawks ahead of the March 1 buyout deadline.

"I would definitely be interested in Otto Porter Jr. over Patty Mills if he ends up reaching a buyout Friday with the Jazz," Robb prefaced before saying, "His size on the wing and championship experience would be a good depth piece even though it would be hard to see him breaking into the rotation at this point. Mills would bring some good vibes with his veteran experience but doesn’t do anything better than Pritchard at this point."

Payton Pritchard has done nothing to lose his primary backup point guard spot, so Mills would be a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option in the postseason, and a potential minutes-getter down the stretch if the team rests Jrue Holiday and/or Derrick White to preserve the starters for the postseason.

Neemias Queta expected to get shot at full-time Boston Celtics contract next season

As Robb would reveal, of all the potential free agent options, the 15th roster spot will not be going to Neemias Queta; who will more than likely have to earn that shot sometime before the start of the 2024-25 season.

"My bet would be Queta stays on the two-way all season and gets a chance to make standard roster next year," Robb wrote.

The trade deadline acquisition of Xavier Tillman may have been a sign that Queta is still in the development phase. A win-now team can't afford to wait too long, even on a third/fourth-string big, but the team will have more leeway in the offseason if Banner 18 can be procured before then.

A premature postseason loss throws the team's plans into a tailspin, but until it gets there, the tentative plan is to wait and see with Queta.