The Boston Celtics are turning in a new direction after losing out on the Anthony Davis sweepstakes. Here are five free agent targets worth considering.
It’s not all doom and gloom for the Boston Celtics entering 2019 NBA free agency.
With rumors swirling that Kyrie Irving is pretty much off to Brooklyn and Al Horford taking his veteran leadership elsewhere, the Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge suddenly has some money to spend, even more money if the team renounce the rights of Terry Rozier.
Without renouncing the rights of the restricted free agent, the Celtics have about $25,838,06 in cap space to play with. Renouncing those rights would basically give the C’s Max money at $34,092,718.
Now, there are various ways Ainge could spend that money. He could try to lure a max player, use the money on multiple players who could help, re-sign layers like Rozier, Marcus Morris and Daniel Theis or use it to create more flexibility via trade.
Whatever they do, free agency will be intriguing this offseason. As a team looking to retool and re-establish a team-first culture, there are various free agents who can help.
Here are five intriguing free agents the Boston Celtics should target once 2019 NBA free agency arrives.
Ricky Rubio, PG
The Boston Celtics may need a point guard if both Kyrie Irving and Terry Rozier are no longer with the team.
Even if Rozier stays, a veteran point guard with some years ahead of him like Ricky Rubio would be an intriguing addition to a Celtics team that may be building around Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward.
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Speaking of Hayward, Rubio would fit with that version of the Celtics because he already has chemistry with Hayward from their days with the Utah Jazz. He would also fit into how Brad Stevens likes to run his offense.
Coming off a season in which he averaged 12.6 points and 6.1 assists, Ricky Rubio is a pass first point guard who would set up Tatum, Brown, Hayward and whatever big men the Celtics have in 2019 nicely.
He also has a grit about him that should make him a fan favorite in Boston. With teams like the Phoenix Suns and Indiana Pacers showing some interest, any chance he ends up with the Boston Celtics would depend on money of course. But it will also depend on where he sees the Celtics as a contender in the East.
Playing alongside Gordon Hayward again may also be a factor.
In all, Ricky Rubio is no Kyrie Irving as far as scoring. But, he could be the playmaker the team needs in building around a young core that also features an established All Star in Gordon Hayward.
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.
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.
Jonas Valanciunas, C
A somewhat cheaper option than Nikola Vucevic is Jonas Valanciunas.
As frustrating as it had to be to watch his former team, the Toronto Raptors, win an NBA championship in the same year they traded him, Valanciunas has to be just as appreciative of the deal.
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While Marc Gasol was contributing to the Raptors alongside Kawhi Leonard, Jonas Valanciunas was finding his way with the Memphis Grizzies. Since the trade, the big man averaged 19.9 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game which lived up to the type of numbers the Raptors wanted to see from him.
As a big man with some range and certainly one who can score around the hoop, Valanciunas would be a great option for the Boston Celtics, especially given the structure in which Brad Stevens likes to run the offense.
Now that Aaron Baynes is off to Phoenix, Valanciunas would certainly be an upgrade. If the second half of the 2018-19 NBA season is any indication, he may just be entering the height of his career.
Wouldn’t it be great if the Celtics had an all-around 7-footer who could both shoot and protect the rim? Well, there are at least two options out there.
Willie Cauley-Stein, C
Young center Willie Cauley-Stein wants out of Sacramento and he may just get his wish.
If the 25-year-old big man hits unrestricted free agency, the Boston Celtics should at least kick the tires as the former Kentucky star is in need of a fresh start. What better place than Boston, a team in need of athletic big men who can rebound and protect the rim?
With his contract expiring, Cauley-Stein is set to become a restricted free agent. With his agent, Roger Montgomery of Roc Nation Sports, making it clear to the team that the young center wants out, the Kings may decide to not match any offer made to Cauley-Stein.
"“I really think Willie needs a fresh start,” Montgomery told the Sacramento Bee. “Based on how things have gone for him there in Sacramento, I just think it’s time for Willie to move on and we’d really like him to move on.”"
After not really living up to expectations after being selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft, Willie Cauley-Stein is beginning to find his way in the NBA. Over the last two seasons, he is averaging a near double-double in points and rebounds.
Although he can’t stretch the floor offensively like Brad Stevens likes from his big man, the rim protection and rebounding may be an intriguing cheaper option for the Boston Celtics.
Julius Randle, F
The Boston Celtics took Marcus Smart a selection ahead of Julius Randle in the 2014 NBA Draft, which was a little bit of a surprise since many had Randle going to the Celtics.
With the power forward hitting free agency following a career year with the New Orleans Pelicans, Danny Ainge now has a chance to have two players he had high on his list during that draft.
Of course, the Celtics would have competition for the services of Randle as the New York Knicks apparently have him high on their radar. Coming off a season in which he averaged 21.4 points and 8.7 rebounds, Julius Randle would make a young core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart even more intriguing.
As a big man who could play the power forward and center position, his high-energy style of play along with his scoring around the rim would be a great addition to a team looking to change its culture.
With the amount of cap space the Boston Celtics now have to play with, Julius Randle is definitely an intriguing option worth exploring come the start of NBA free agency.