5 Free Agents the Celtics Should Sign for the Veteran Minimum
By Cem Yolbulan
2. Jae Crowder
How about a long overdue reunion? Jae Crowder, who spent 2.5 seasons with the Celtics before getting traded to Cleveland as part of the Kyrie Irving trade, has hit unrestricted free agency this summer. During the rebuilding phase of the Celtics, Crowder was an integral part of those feisty underdog teams with his defensive intensity and physicality. He was a part of that surprise 2017 run to the Conference Finals.
Crowder is obviously not the player he was at that time. He is 34 years old and has lost a few steps. He only appeared in 50 games for the Milwaukee Bucks last season, playing 23 minutes per game, averaging 6.2 points on 42.2% shooting from the field and 34.9% from three. He is not the strong defender he was in his heyday.
However, he would be a break-in-case-of-emergency type of veteran for the Celtics, anyway. He would be a good locker-room presence as a mentor while still providing some low-level three-and-D play when needed.
3. Isaiah Thomas
This would be a signing similar to the Jae Crowder one. Isaiah Thomas can't really contribute to the Celtics on the court anymore but his veteran presence could be valuable for Boston.
Thomas is currently looking for a team as the 35-year-old still feels like he can make an impact on a contender. The All-Star guard has a special place in the hearts of many Celtics fans. He was electric between 2015 and 2017, making a case for himself as an MVP candidate. Playing injured throughout the 2017 playoffs, he risked the rest of his NBA career and has never looked the same.
A return to Boston and potentially winning a championship would be a very nice ending to IT's basketball story.