The Boston Celtics still have a vacant roster spot. Maybe it should go toward bringing home a local talent.
Bruce Brown, a Massachusetts native who starred at Wakefield High School while growing up, remains available on the free-agent market.
An NBA champion with the Denver Nuggets, he would certainly be an exciting September addition.
So, should Boston fill roster slot No. 15 with the versatile eight-year veteran?
The Celtics should pass on signing Bruce Brown
As fun as it would be to see him in green, the more prudent move is to pass.
There were multiple years when acquiring the former Miami Hurricanes standout would have been a terrific move. However, Boston is well positioned to reset the repeater tax.
After finishing below the luxury tax last season, the organization is currently $1.7 million beneath that line. Signing Brown would count $2.4 million against the cap. That alone is a strong enough incentive not to do this. As unfortunate as that is.
The other reason is a familiar theme when evaluating candidates for a roster spot with the NBA's original monarchy.
The Celtics have two major reasons not to sign Bruce Brown
One was just outlined. The franchise is navigating the league's punitive collective bargaining agreement. As they do, they're putting themselves in a position to at least be able to take a significant swing this summer.
There's also another incentive to pass on Brown. Like when assessing whether Boston should have signed Russell Westbrook, Bradley Beal, or DeMar DeRozan, one must question the fit.
Will this individual buy into the role that's available? Brown just turned 30. He averaged 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steals for the Nuggets last season. He also knocked down 38.5 percent of the 1.8 three-point attempts he took. He figures to have more appealing opportunities than mostly being glued to the bench in Boston.
Even if Brown is open to that type of a limited role, any minutes that could go to him are better off going to their young wings. The Celtics must continue developing emerging talents like Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, and Ron Harper Jr. If Brown's arrival took from their time on the floor, then it would add to why this move, as tempting as it may seem, would be a mistake. Instead, it seems smarter to enter the season with the 15th roster spot still vacant.
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