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10 Best Free Agents The Boston Celtics Can Acquire This Summer

Originally posted on Fadeaway World | By Eddie Bitar | Last updated 7/8/22

The Boston Celtics can be considered a major success story last season because they reached the NBA Finals thanks to the play of their two star players and the defensive abilities of the role players. The team fit perfectly together, and first-time head coach Ime Udoka did a fantastic job getting everyone to buy into their scheme. But as expected, the Boston Celtics faltered in the NBA Finals in favor of the more experienced Golden State Warriors. It was still an amazing season for the Celtics as nobody expected them to reach that far in the playoffs.

Looking ahead to the 2022-2023 season, the Celtics seem to be going forward with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart at the core. The difference is that there are new starters coming in, with Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari expected to play big roles. But if Boston wants to compete and actually be the favorite, they need to continue to add pieces to the roster if they are moving forward as currently constructed.

It is obvious that the Celtics need to add depth on the wing and in the paint to go deeper into their lineups for a deep playoff run next year. They should complete the roster with sure-fire competitors that can sign for the mid-level exception or veteran’s minimum contract in that regard, and there could be a host of options for them. Without further ado, here are the 10 free agents who can sign for the Boston Celtics this offseason.

10. Eric Paschall - Veteran Minimum Contract

2021-22 Statistics: 5.8 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 0.6 SPG, 0.2 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Eric Paschall had a role with the Utah Jazz last year and did quite well in his limited minutes. The forward played 12.7 MPG and averaged solid numbers along with being a solid backup for the Jazz starters. Paschall will always hustle for boards and has some offensive talent, so he can be a nice addition to a Celtics roster that needs more role players who can contribute in limited minutes at different stretches at a time.

Paschall can sign for a veteran’s minimum contract because at age 25, with a career of playing with solid franchises, including the Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz. That is why he is a low-risk, high-reward option for Boston. Expect Paschall to play 15-20 MPG on average if he does join the Celtics, and he can play a nice role for them.

9. Austin Rivers - Veteran Minimum Contract

2021-22 Statistics: 6.0 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Austin Rivers has made his presence felt with the Denver Nuggets as a veteran who brings defense and also the ability to make layups at the rim. He is also capable of nailing a jumper when open, so he is not a bad addition to a team that has a few empty spots for veterans. Rivers wants to play for championship contenders or at least provide minutes in a big market, and he would not mind playing for the Boston Celtics in that regard.

Austin Rivers is also the son of former Celtics head coach Doc Rivers and could be welcomed nicely as a result. The guard is not a starting-caliber player because he is quite miniature and is almost 30 years old, but he can be trusted to make plays and play important minutes when necessary. After all, Rivers had that role with the Houston Rockets and also with the Denver Nuggets last year. If Rivers can compete on defense and make shots, he is a great pickup for Boston.

8. Avery Bradley - Veteran Minimum Contract

2021-22 Statistics: 6.4 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Avery Bradley has been in the NBA for a long time, with a career that has spanned 12 years so far. Bradley is a capable defensive guard, meaning he can always be a hustle-first player for any team he plays for. In 22.7 MPG for the Lakers last year, Bradley provided 6.4 PPG and 2.2 RPG in 62 games, so he can provide similar numbers in a limited time for the Celtics. The guard also has some experience of being on a roster with a superstar player and other talented stars.

The Celtics will likely offer a veteran’s minimum if they want to get Avery, and the guard will likely accept. Ime Udoka wants guys who will hustle on defense, and at 31 years old, Bradley will have no choice but to do that because that is the way he will earn playing time. Even if Bradley has not averaged in double-digits in scoring since the 2018 season, he can make an impact in the role he will be given.

7. DeMarcus Cousins - Veteran Minimum Contract

2021-22 Statistics: 9.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG

DeMarcus Cousins has been a shell of himself because the days of being an All-Star center with elite explosiveness around the rim and superstar offensive skills are long gone. But that doesn’t mean the big man should retire because he still has a lot left to offer. He has been frustrated with the limited time he has been getting over the past few years, and a new challenge could be on the horizon for the former 4-time All-Star. No doubt about it, Cousins wouldn’t mind returning to play for a title-contender to play basketball.

What is hurting Cousins is his inability to stay level-headed when on the court, as we have seen countless times in the past. While he is still a capable backup center who can score and rebound, he does carry some baggage. Ime Udoka and the Boston Celtics could find a way to keep him focused and bring out the best for the center because he put up solid numbers averaging 9.0 PPG and 5.6 RPG last year.

6. Rajon Rondo - Veteran Minimum Contract

2021-22 Statistics: 4.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 4.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Rajon Rondo is no longer the prime star guard that made 4 All-Star Teams with the Boston Celtics between 2010 and 2013, but he can make a difference off the bench with the ball in his hands. The point guard has a high basketball IQ and solid offensive intangibles, so he can play backup point guard to Marcus Smart and even start to score the ball or create for others. Rondo had a decent year in 2022, considering he barely played, putting up 4.8 PPG and 4.4 APG across 39 games with the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers.

If Rondo is healthy and motivated to play for a title contender, the point guard can be a solid option for the Boston Celtics to be a firestarter off the bench. Rajon can realistically average similar numbers he put up last year with the Celtics because he is a natural offensive talent who will be a blessing for the Boston Celtics in terms of being an efficient playmaker. Boston struggled to create plays in last year’s Finals, something that comes naturally to Rondo.

5. Dwight Howard - Veteran Minimum Contract

2021-22 Statistics: 6.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Dwight Howard is always a player that teams want to acquire because his NBA experience will help in the locker room while his defensive intangibles can always come into use. The former 3-time Defensive Player of the Year has been joining contenders the past few years and was a key contributor for the Los Angeles Lakers team that won the championship in 2020. Even if he is past his prime, Dwight knows how to play basketball.

The future Hall of Fame big man is no longer an elite shot-blocker, but he can still get up to defend the rim and can also roll to the rim for easy layups and dunks. Head coach Ime Udoka probably won’t mind bringing over a defensive-minded big man to shore up the front line, especially considering Al Horford is getting older, and Robert Williams III is often injured.

4. Tristan Thompson - Veteran Minimum Contract

2021-22 Statistics: 6.0 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Tristan Thompson can still rebound at a solid level, make no mistake about it. The big man is 6’9” and weighs 254 lbs, making him a factor when he is battling in the paint. Thompson has always been an excellent rebounder because he has a tremendous motor and length to get after balls that come off the rim. At age 31, Thompson is clearly past his prime, but he can still give 15-20 MPG at the center spot for a Boston Celtics team that needs cover for their bigs in the rotation.

Remember, it wasn’t too long ago that Thompson was the starting center that won the 2016 NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The big man appeared in 57 games last year, so he got a decent run of games and showed glimpses of being a capable role player. If the center can guarantee 6 PPG and 6 RPG, he is a safe option as a backup big man at a veteran’s minimum contract. Again, Ime Udoka wants defense, and Tristan Thompson is one of the best paint defenders that are available for a minimum contract in the market.

3. Hassan Whiteside - Veteran Minimum Contract

2021-22 Statistics: 8.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 0.4 APG, 0.3 SPG, 1.6 BPG

Hassan Whiteside is not the same player he used to be when he signed a massive contract with the Miami Heat, but he can still swallow rebounds and block shots consistently. He is blessed with a tremendous length that he can use to be an impact player off the bench in limited minutes. The center would be perfect for a title contender that needs center depth and not a full-time starter. But no doubt, Whiteside can grab an incredible number of rebounds in a short amount of time.

The Celtics need to add to their size depth, with Robert Williams III and Al Horford likely to miss time during the year due to attrition and age. Whiteside can legitimately average close to a double-double with the Celtics next year and also block some shots around the rim. Boston’s defense is extremely elite, and adding a 7-footer who can block shots would only improve that. Head coach Ime Udoka knows how to maximize defensive effort from his players, and Hassan could be another veteran who can accept a minimum deal to provide that energy.

2. Carmelo Anthony - Veteran Minimum Contract

2021-22 Statistics: 13.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Carmelo Anthony was one of the very few bright spots for the Los Angeles Lakers team that missed the playoffs last year because he put up solid scoring numbers and was the most consistent perimeter shooter for the team. The forward averaged 13.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 0.8 BPG on 44.1% FG, 37.5% 3-PT FG, and 83.0% FT. Those are very solid numbers for a player that only made 3 starts in 69 appearances. As a 6th man, Anthony got his favorite role by coming in and hoisting shots up without conscious. That is why Carmelo has looked happy playing basketball again after years of being overlooked in the league.

It is important to remember that Anthony is 38 years old, so expecting that kind of production next year as well would be a tad harsh to the Hall of Fame forward. But he can still average in double-digits in scoring because of his extremely high basketball IQ, and the Celtics will need a player who can provide that energy off the bench. Boston could have used a confident offensive player last year in the NBA Finals because their offense was sometimes stagnant. With Anthony, the Celtics can always have a guy ready to go out swinging.

1. Montrezl Harrell - Mid-Level Contract

2021-22 Statistics: 13.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Montrezl Harrell put up very solid numbers last year in 71 games with the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets, and if he is healthy and ready to play, he can average similar PPG and RPG stats for the Celtics next year. Harrell does not seem to be the same player he used to be when he won 6th Man of the Year with the Los Angeles Clippers, but he can still score inside the paint with effort and determination. The big man is always active around the basket and can provide some cover for Al Horford and the often injured Robert Williams III.

But Harrell will need to accept limited minutes because he will be somewhat of a third option behind Horford and Williams in the pecking order. Montrezl is still a capable 6th man, so he will mainly be a primary backup scoring option who can also come in and wreak havoc on the boards. For a mid-level contract, Montrezl is a nice gamble because he can still average in double-digits in scoring and crash the boards as a backup. Of course, his energy can be infectious as the Celtics look to continue improving their depth.