Phil Perry and Marc Bertrand join Trenni Casey on Arbella Early Edition to talk about Boston’s future with a new “Big Three.”
Last week, the Boston Celtics made a significant offseason splash by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards in a blockbuster transaction that also sent starting point guard Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies.
So, what options does Boston have in free agency?
The solution to the question begins with money: With Porzingis and his $36 million salary on the books until 2023, the Celtics are already $8.2 million over the luxury tax for the upcoming season – and that does not include Grant Williams, who is anticipated to sign somewhere in restricted free agency.
However, the C’s still have approximately $7.3 million to spend before reaching the second tax apron, which activates multiple harsh penalties and serves as a hard cap. That means that President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens can still sign a free agent this season on a taxpayer midlevel contract valued between $2.5 million and $5 million.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks just named a slew of free agents likely to sign that contract, and while none are superstars, there are a few intriguing candidates who might help the Celtics enhance their depth. Here are five players in that wage range that might be terrific fits in Boston – and one to avoid.
Torrey Craig
Age: 32
Position: Wing
2022-23 stats (Phoenix Suns): 7.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.5 apg, 45.6% FG, 39.5% 3PT (79 games)
Craig’s most valued weapon is his defense: at 6-foot-7, 220 pounds, he can play various positions. He also made 39.5 percent of his 3-point attempts last season, making him an excellent “3-and-D” option for Boston, filling in for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown while providing Sam Hauser’s level of shooting with more defensive punch.
Craig should be the Celtics’ best free agency option in this low-cost class.
Yuta Watanabe
Age: 28
Position: Wing
2022-23 stats (Brooklyn Nets): 5.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.8 apg, 49.1% FG, 44.4 % 3PT (58 games)
While he’s not as stout as Craig defensively, the 6-foot-9 Watanabe brings more length and can hold up against wings and bigs alike. He’s also an excellent 3-point shooter (39 percent for his career) who plays with a high level of energy that would make him a fan favorite in Boston.
The Celtics would benefit from adding at least one wing this offseason behind Tatum and Brown, and Watanabe should be on their radar.
Jeff Green
Age: 36
Position: Wing
2022-23 stats (Denver Nuggets): 7.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.2 apg, 48.8% FG, 28.8 % 3PT (56 games)
Looking for a great offseason storyline? Green may return to the franchise that drafted him fifth overall in 2007 (before dealing him for Ray Allen) and kept him for four seasons. The Nuggets’ title run shown that the 16-year veteran is still capable of contributing on a contender, and even if he doesn’t play significant minutes in Boston, his plethora of NBA knowledge would immensely assist Tatum, Brown, and the Celtics’ core.
Terence Davis
Age: 26
Position: Guard
2022-23 stats (Sacramento Kings): 6.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.0 apg, 42.3% FG, 33.6 % 3PT (64 games)
Davis is another defensive stalwart who might help compensate for Smart’s absence in the backcourt. While he has struggled with consistency on offense, Davis is a solid second-unit scorer: the Ole Miss product scored 20-plus points in five games last season, including a 31-point outburst in November.
Even if the Celtics keep Malcolm Brogdon and Payton Pritchard, they may benefit from a fourth guard off the bench.
Thomas Bryant
Age: 25
Position: Big man
2022-23 stats (Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets): 9.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 0.5 apg, 62.3% FG, 44.1 % 3PT (59 games)
Last offseason, the Celtics allegedly had “significant interest” in Bryant before he signed with the Lakers to pursue a larger role. But Bryant only played 11.4 minutes a game with the Nuggets after a trade deadline switch from Los Angeles to Denver, and he won a championship. So he might be open to another significant backup duty for a title contender.
If that’s the case, Bryant, at 6-foot-10, may provide crucial frontcourt insurance behind the injury-prone Robert Williams and the 37-year-old Al Horford.
Derrick Rose is an honorable mention.
We’ve heard some talk about Rose playing in Boston, but let’s be honest: this one doesn’t make much sense. Rose is past his peak, having not played more than 35 games in a season since 2020-21. Last season, he averaged 5.6 points in 12.5 minutes per game for the New York Knicks while shooting 38.4 percent from the field.
On paper, bringing in a former NBA MVP makes sense, but the Celtics would be better served giving Pritchard more minutes off the bench or bringing in a younger, defensive-minded guard like Davis.
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