Five Free agents the Celtics Should Pursue
The Celtics have had a pretty busy offseason so far trading away their longest-tenured Celtic in Marcus Smart and trading him for versatile big man Kristaps Porziņģis. Since trading Smart there are two major needs for this Celtics team currently, a three-and-D wing and a backup ball handler. Now the Celtics don’t have very much money at all in free agency but they do have the ability to use veteran minimums and the MLE. Also, they could create a trade exception if they were to sign and trade Grant Williams, but just assuming we have the two options here are the five free agents I believe the Celtics should take a look at.
Bruce Brown- Denver Nuggets
This is every Celtics fan's dream scenario this offseason bringing back the hometown kid and signing him to the MLE. Although it would be amazing, he will most likely demand more money than the Celtics can offer especially coming off an NBA Championship with Denver. We will see if the Boston native would take a discount to return to his home in Boston.
Torrey Craig- Pheonix Suns
I don’t believe there is a player like Torrey Craig this off-season that fits the mold of the Celtics better than he does. A 6’7 wing with good three-point shooting, but most importantly one of the most underrated defenders in the NBA and can guard legitimately 1-5 and fits the Celtics defensive scheme of switching. I feel like this is one of the more likely fits because he could be a veteran minimum guy and shouldn’t be out of the Celtics' price range.
Dillion Brooks- Memphis Grizzlies
Another player that fits the Celtics mold. Brooks is a 3 and D wing who is considered one of the most perimeter defenders in the NBA. Brooks is coming off a poor playoff after being blasted by the media for trash-talking LeBron and not backing it up after losing the series. In my opinion, it wasn’t smart to go at the GOAT, but for the Celtics, I feel like they need a guy like Brooks that has that edge on him as Marcus Smart did. I think this is one of the most interesting fits for the 2nd team all defensive wing.
Lonnie Walker IV- Los Angles Lakers
Walker has been involved in Celtics rumors in the past and is an electric player when he is on the court. A product of coach Popovich, Walker has put together a solid NBA Career so far. I like this fit for the Celtics because he is a defensive guard who plays with a lot of energy which I believe the Celtics could look to use off the bench.
Josh Richardson- New Orleans Pelicans
This fit is a very common one floating around the NBA because he is a former Celtic and they need a three-and-D wing. Richardson was loved by Celtics teammates and fans in Boston and I'm sure they would love a reunion with Richardson. He would likely demand the Taxpayer MLE which the Celtics could throw at him. He is a perfect Celtics fit for a team who needs a bench wing.
Honorable Mentions- Tauren Prince(T-Wolves), Patrick Beverly(Bulls),
Terrence Davis(Kings), Derrick Rose(Knicks), and Caris LeVert (Cavs)
