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Celtics Need to Sign Former Draft Bust to Fill Final Open Roster Spot

By Cem Yolbulan

Feb 8, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla signals to the team in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Feb 8, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla signals to the team in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
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The NBA trade deadline is finally behind us. As expected, the Boston Celtics didn't do much except for moving on from Jaden Springer for financial reasons. They then filled the open roster spot by signing veteran forward Torrey Craig.

The Celtics have now met the league minimum of 14 players on their roster. However, they still have a final roster spot available as we approach the All-Star break.

Contending teams almost always carry 15 players into the playoffs. Teams are not allowed to use two-way players in the postseason, so Drew Peterson, JD Davison, or Anton Watson will not be available as emergency backups in the playoffs. So, using all the available roster spots makes a ton of sense for teams hoping to make deep postseason runs.

The Celtics can either convert one of their two-way players to a guaranteed salary before the end of the season, or sign a free agent to a veteran's minimum contract.

GM Brad Stevens can choose to bring in a familiar face like Daniel Theis, Lonnie Walker IV, or Oshae Brissett, or take a flyer on another free agent.

One player that would be an interesting option is former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz. The 26-year-old guard has been a free agent since the start of the season and would be an intriguing flyer for the Celtics to see if they can rehabilitate his career.

Fultz's biggest weakness is his lack of shooting as a perimeter player. There may not be a better team than the Celtics to mask his offensive shortcomings. Fultz, playing with four shooters, could still be an effective player. Plus, he can add a transition element with his pace.

Defensively, Fultz could be an excellent fit in Boston. He has great positional size at six-foot-four and a long wingspan and can guard multiple positions. He offers defensive playmaking and secondary rim protection and could work as a poor man's Derrick White.

Fultz would almost certainly not play a part in Boston's playoff rotation, but adding a 15th player who adds a different wrinkle to the team is worth exploring.

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