Luke Kornet a higher priority to bring back for Boston Celtics than deadline addition

Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes sees Luke Kornet likely being a higher priority to retain for the Boston Celtics this offseason than trade deadline addition Xavier Tillman Sr. due to his physical profile and rim-protection at seven-foot-one.

"Kornet played about three more minutes per game than Tillman after the All-Star break and shot the ball much more efficiently (75.6 true shooting percentage to Tillman's 57.9 percent)," Hughes prefaced before saying, "Though Tillman brings switchability on defense, Kornet's size and shot-blocking could make him the higher priority.

"Neither is likely to get much more than the minimum, but Boston's decision on which backup big (if any) to keep is the only free-agent question on the table."

Hughes makes a key point here: neither is likely to get "much more than the minimum." It's possible a team can be swayed to give either, or both, a little bit extra to break up a potential championship roster this offseason.

Boston Celtics need to find ring-chasers to make any splash in free agency

Retaining Kornet and Tillman, made possible due to the Cs holding their bird rights, is easier for Boston's front office than acquiring a free agent given the limitations the new CBA puts on tax-paying teams.

There will be no Nic Claxton pursuit, despite how good of a fit the Brooklyn Nets big man would be. Even Andre Drummond could end up being too pricey of an addition.

With that said, there are a number of ring-chasers the Celtics can be in the hunt for. Former Denver Nuggets champion center DeAndre Jordan is an option, as is ex-Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers ring-wearing big JaVale McGee.

The best option for Cs fans would be a Daniel Theis return, but he may be in the Claxton/Drummond boat.

That is, unless he wants to finish the story in Boston. Which would make for the ultimate feel-good basketball tale.