Top Players The Celtics Should Target This Offseason
BOSTON (CBS) -- The offseason has arrived for the Boston Celtics, and with the sting of that four-game sweep to the Cavaliers behind us, we can now set our sights on the future.
Unlike last summer, there has been no promise of fireworks from Boston's owners, which is good considering they never even lit the fuse following such a proclamation.
However, unlike last summer, Danny Ainge and the Celtics have a nice chunk of cap space, potentially as much as $33 million, in addition to all those tradeable assets to work with. It's never been easy getting free agents to come to Boston, ever, but having the ability to throw a little extra green someone's way may convince them to actually don a green uniform next season.
But just because he has the money to throw around doesn't mean Ainge is going to hand out crazy contracts simply because he can.
"We haven't ever had cap space, I don't think, in the history of the Celtics," Ainge said shortly after Boston's postseason run ended. "For sure since I've been here. So we need to use that space wisely. We can't just spend it just because we have it."
The Celtics certainly have needs, with a rim-protecting big man (one who can actually rebound) at the top of the list. There are some intriguing names about to hit the market on that front, and Boston has enough spending money to at least be in the conversation.
As for the fireworks, don't expect them. Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green are the biggest names, but they will be restricted free agents and there is very little chance the Spurs, Bulls or Warriors, respectively, let them walk away. Kevin Love would have been on this list, but there's very little chance he comes to Boston after Kelly Olynyk ended his postseason with a tug of the shoulder. Even if Olynyk is sent out of town, it doesn't sound like Love wants much to do with the Celtics anymore.
So who will they target? Well, just about everyone. And when it comes to potential trades, no one should be off the tables on this rebuilding squad (Marcus Smart is as close as it gets, but even he could be included in the right deal). It's certainly going to be an interesting summer, and the Celtics will make moves to improve the team.
Here are 10 players we'll be hearing about in the rumor mill this offseason:
DeMarcus Cousins
2014-15 Stats: 24.1 points, 12.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks per game
There are always concerns about Cousins' mental state, but with Rajon Rondo no longer around there is room on the Celtics for a bit of a headcase. The fact that this headcase can rebound helps quite a bit. Aside from a hiccup in the 2012-13 season, Cousins has improved each year of his career, and is a threat to pull down 20 rebounds on any given night (if he's invested -- where have we heard that before?).
Cousins will turn 25 this offseason and is signed through 2017-18 for just over $47 million -- a relative bargain by today's NBA standards. Given what it will take to sign any of the free agent centers/power forwards this offseason, trading for Cousins may be the best route for Ainge and company. They have plenty of draft picks and young talent to offer Sacramento, and should be able to put together the best offer for the Kings' big man.
Marc Gasol (UFA)
2014-15 Stats: 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks per game
The 30-year-old Gasol may be the best center in the NBA right now, and he's going to get a lot of money this offseason. From all reports, that money will come from Memphis, as Gasol loves everything Grizzlies.
But if the Celtics were somehow able to pry him away (money does talk, quite often too) he'd be the perfect big man to bang around in the paint and pull down rebounds, and the perfect piece to build around.
LeMarcus Aldridge (UFA)
2014-15 Stats: 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds per game
Even before the Blazers' postseason meltdown, rumors began to swirl that Aldridge may want a change of scenery. Well, that and a truckload of cash.
Alridge has been nothing but solid for the Blazers the last eight years, and will turn 30 this summer. He's due for a big money contract, so the Celtics will have to determine if he's worth most of their free cap space this summer.
DeAndre Jordan (UFA)
2014-15 Stats: 11.5 points, 15.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks per game
He can't hit a free throw to save his life, but Jordan can be a game-changer on defense. He's blocked 386 shots over the last two seasons, and for the second year in a row he led the NBA in rebounds in 2014-15.
And given that his offensive game is limited mostly to dunks, he also led the NBA in field goal percentage for the second straight year. Still, for all his faults, Jordan is a pretty solid player. He even played well when Blake Griffin was hurt earlier this season, showing he's not just the product of playing alongside an even better big man.
If Ainge is willing to invest (heavily) in a defensive minded/offensively challenged center, then Jordan is his guy. But his price tag will definitely outweigh his production (likely sooner rather than later), which is something all GMs will have to take into consideration. But in this silly game of basketball, whose price tag doesn't eventually outweigh their production?
Greg Monroe (UFA)
2014-15 Stats: 15.9 points, 10.2 rebounds per game
Monroe opted for a one-year deal with Detroit prior to last season, hoping to really cash in this summer. He put up solid numbers again for the Pistons, but isn't really in that top tier of big men in the NBA. This season was just the first time in his five-year career he averaged a double-double.
The Celtics could make a run at him, but consider him more of a consolation prize.
Larry Sanders (UFA)
2014-15 Stats: 7.3 points, 6.1 rebounds per game (27 games)
Speaking of consolation prizes, we've now entered that portion of this wonderful list in regards to the taller players in the NBA.
Sanders was jetisoned from the Milwaukee Bucks midway through last season because they questioned if he actually wanted to play basketball anymore. Despite having a $44-million contract that he signed in 2013, Sanders decided to step away from the game for personal reasons. The Bucks bought out his contract in February, following Sanders' second suspension for marijuana use.
To each his own, though it doesn't really sound like he's all that committed to the game of basketball (he's played just 50 games the last two seasons). If Sanders does fall back in love with the game, he's a pretty good rebounder and shot blocker, something the Celtics badly need. If he decides to come back to the hardwood, it would be worth it for the Celtics to kick the tires.
JaVale McGee (UFA)
2014-15 Stats: 4.6 points, 2.7 rebounds per game (23 games for Denver/Philadelphia)
Take two! We thought that the Celtics and McGee had a deal during last season, as did Danny Ainge, but he wanted freedom to choose his team this summer. So instead, McGee left some money on the table and sat out the rest of the season.
McGee can rebound, and he's rather... entertaining, if not frustrating. Maybe Stevens is the one to get his head on straight, but there are some serious concerns given McGee has only played in 28 games the last two seasons.
"JaVale is a long, athletic guy. We don't have that type of player above the rim, offensively or defensively," Ainge said of McGee back in March. "He's been paid a lot of money in the league, had a few injuries, but hasn't lived up to his potential yet. We're hoping he can under Brad [Stevens'] tutelage.
But Ainge came close to signing him once, so there is definitely (or there was definitely) interest from Boston's end.
Ty Lawson
2014-15 Stats: 15.2 points, 9.7 assists per game
Despite their glut of guards on their current roster, the Celtics have been mentioned in trade rumors for the Denver point guard, who appears to have worn out his welcome with the Nuggets.
That may be more on Denver, who is also trying to rebuild, but either way, Lawson is available to the highest bidder. It would take a hefty package to get him, with Isaiah Thomas likely being the main piece, but if Ainge wants a true point guard to lead the way on offense then Lawson would be a solid pickup. While his scoring dropped a bit last season, especially in the second half, he averaged a career-high 9.7 assists per game.
He's had issues off the court, with a DUI arrest last season, and reportedly clashed with head coach Brian Shaw, so there are concerns about him fitting in (especially given how well Thomas fit in with the C's upon his arrival from Phoenix). But he's signed for two more years at $25 million, a reasonable amount for a starting point guard with his abilities, and would give the Celtics the floor general they lacked in 2014-15 (no more Evan Turner playing point!).
Tobias Harris (RFA)
2014-15 Stats: 17.1 points, 6.3 rebounds per game
Evan Turner did what he could as a point-forward for the Celtics last season, but the Celtics need much more offensive firepower from the small forward position.
While Harris doesn't bring much star power to the position, he can certainly score. In 68 games (63 starts) for Orlando last season, Harris averaged a career-high in points, 3-point shooting (36 percent), and nearly matched his career-high in field goal percentage, shooting 46 percent from the floor (he shot 47 percent in 42 games as a rookie for the Bucks in 2011-12).
While he isn't very widely known, Harris is one of the best young forwards in the game. Imagine what Brad Stevens could do with a player like him?
DeMarre Carroll (UFA)
2014-15 Stats: 12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds per game
While Harris is a likely option, Carroll is a bit of a pipe dream. He's become a solid starter for the Hawks the last two seasons after bouncing around the first four years of his career, and put up career-highs in every scoring category in 2014-15.
Given Atlanta's success, they're not going to let a key part of their recent turnaround get away very easily this offseason.
Paul Pierce (Player Option)
2014-15 Stats: 11.9 points, 4.0 rebounds per game
We can wish, can't we? It'd be awesome to see Pierce finish his career back in Boston, but it sounds like he's pretty happy in watching right now. A potential reunion may be a few years down the line, but you never know.
