Celtics Insider Throws Cold Water on Recent Free Agent Speculation

The Boston Celtics are 20-5 for the season and look like the title favorites. As they chase their second consecutive NBA championship, the Celtics don't need any upgrades to the roster. They already have one of the best starting lineups in the league when healthy and have the likes of Al Horford, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser coming off the bench. You will be hard-pressed to find a deeper and more talented playoff rotation than that.

That doesn't mean that GM Brad Stevens will not try to make moves. The Celtics have one of the most aggressive front offices in the league and they will not leave any stone unturned to add more pieces to the roster.

Unfortunately, the Celtics are very limited in what they can do. They are in the second apron, restricting their ability to make trades. They can't aggregate salaries in a potential trade or take back even a dollar more in salary in any deal.

As a result, they may have to rely on the buyout market. Players who the teams around the league can't trade will be bought out and hit free agency during the season. Some Celtics fans are hoping that they could find a diamond in the rough that way.

One name that has been circulating in recent weeks is Ben Simmons. The former All-Star guard is unlikely to be traded due to his massive salary. The Nets, who are in a complete rebuilding mode, could buy his contract out and make him a free agent.

However, as Brian Robb from MassLive points out, the Celtics are not allowed to sign Simmons due to the CBA rules. In fact, they can't sign any player who was making over mid-level exception salary ($12 million) before being bought out.

"That means a player like Ben Simmons who has been a popular name in the rumor mill this week as a potential buyout candidate would not be allowed to sign with Boston if he does become a free agent during this season."

- Brian Robb, MassLive

This severely restricts what Boston can do in mid-season free agency. Any player who makes less than $12 million is more likely to be traded than bought out. Things will change throughout the season and more candidates could be available on the buyout market but the Celtics may need to ride the roster they currently have to the postseason.

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