Celtics Rumors: Will Barton is the final piece to the championship puzzle

While the buyout market hasn’t been kind to the Boston Celtics thus far, there is a chance they add some important wing depth in the name of Will Barton.

This is a name that has been out there and rumored as a possibility for the Celtics, and that possibility became more realistic on Tuesday as Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Washington Wizards have completed a buyout ahead of the March 1 deadline.

Perhaps this is the Woj bomb the Celtics have been waiting for when it comes to the buyout market.

After losing out on veteran sharpshooter Danny Green, who chose the Cleveland Cavaliers for more playing time, the C’s really wasn’t in on big man Kevin Love.  Obviously, the team didn’t have a backcourt need for Russell Westbrook.  So, a wing player like Barton would be a natural fit.

Boston Celtics need to add depth behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown

While the Celtics have a lot of versatility on their roster, a capable 6-foot-6 wing off the bench like Barton would be an added plus behind 2023 NBA All-Star MVP Jayson Tatum and two-time NBA All-Star Jaylen Brown.

It would be a smaller role for Barton, but after a down season in Washington, the change in scenery and contributing for a team like the Celtics could rejuvenate him back into the player he was with the Denver Nuggets in in 2021-22 when he averaged 14.7 points in a starting role.

Now, the addition of Barton could take minutes away from Sam Hauser, who has re-discovered his sharpshooting touch, but going down the stretch, the wing depth could help Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla give some of his veterans some added depth.

Unless another contending team emerges and targets Barton, this would be the ideal fit for the Celtics and the player.  Entering the NBA Trade Deadline, the Celtics needed big man depth and wing depth.  They got their big man in Mike Muscala and that patience in the buyout market may just land them a player who in my opinion is a better option than Green.

As far as Barton seeing the Celtics as a fit.  He would have to be willing to buy in to a lesser role with the opportunity to help a team win a championship in a similar way that Malcom Brogdon bought in coming off the bench.

In fact, a veteran like Brogdon could play a role in persuading Barton that Boston is a good fit for him and a place where he can play a valuable role down the stretch of the 2022-23 NBA season and into the playoffs.

Although the Boston Celtics are a team that can easily go 8 or 9 deep when everyone is healthy, last year’s disappointing Finals loss proved a team could never be too depth.  A player like Barton bring not only depth, but more versatility to a team who is already tough to beat.