Boston Celtics Rumors: 5 intriguing free agents team should target

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 21: Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans celebrates with Nikola Mirotic #3 against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 21: Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans celebrates with Nikola Mirotic #3 against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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NBA free agency Nikola Vucevic (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
NBA free agency Nikola Vucevic (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Nikola Vucevic, C

With rumors swirling that Al Horford’s tenure with the Boston Celtics is over and Aaron Baynes being shipped to the desert, the team will be looking for a versatile big man to fill that void.

What better player to fill that void than free agent big man Nikola Vucevic who is coming off a career year with the Orlando Magic.

In his eighth season in the NBA, the 7-footer made earned his first All-Star nod.  In 80 games played, he averaged 20.8 points and 12.0 rebounds per game.  More impressive than averaging a double-double on a nightly basis was his field goal percentage from long range shooting at 36 percent from beyond the arc.  He also averaged more assists per game, which would make him the ideal big man for the way Brad Stevens loves to run things in Boston.

light. Related Story. Nikola Vucevic top on team’s free agency list

With the amount of cap space the Celtics will have available if both Kyrie Irving and Horford depart, obtaining a player like Nikola Vucevic is possible and is actually high on the team’s list.  He will be looking for a big pay day as he is just 28 and looking to cash in and the best situation.

The Boston Celtics will be an ideal situation and with his overall numbers, Vucevic would actually be an upgrade from Horford.  He may not come with the leadership, but he is a better scorer and rebounder.

Adding him to the remaining core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward and Marcus Smart wouldn’t make this summer as disastrous for Danny Ainge and Celtics fans.