Heading into the post-All Star break stretch, the Boston Celtics lineup doesn’t have any glaring holes. As a result, Danny Ainge stood pat at the trade deadline, but there’s a good chance Boston will look to make an addition via the buyout market before March 1.
If there was a signing made, they’d have to waive a member of their 15-man roster before doing so. Vincent Poirier remains a likely candidate to be released if Boston finds a match on the open market. Let’s take a look at some options for the Boston Celtics ahead of the March 1 deadline.
SG/SF Wayne Ellington, New York Nicks
Ellington was a popular name in last year’s buyout market, but it’ll likely be to a lesser degree this season if he does part ways with New York. Ellington isn’t quite the spot-up shooter he once was, making him a less-appealing option for the Celtics.
SNY’s Ian Begley reported Ellington and the Knicks could enter buyout conversations after the deadline, so his name is one to monitor one way or another. While he is not the sharpshooter that he once was in Miami, he can still create good floor spacing to be used off the bench.
SG Tyler Johnson, Free Agent (previously Phoenix Suns)
Johnson was waived by the Phoenix Suns following the trade deadline. His role in Phoenix diminished as this season went on, but he’ll draw plenty of interest as team’s look to improve their backcourts for the stretch run.
The 27-year-old could help Boston’s bench depth if they were to take a flier on him. At 6-foot-3, Johnson has proven himself as a good on-ball defender over his six-year career. Although the emergence of Brad Wanamaker would make it difficult to shed minutes for another pass-first guard, if the money is right, he becomes a great cheap option.
SF Evan Turner, Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired Turner via trade, but there’s a good chance that they will cut him loose to sign elsewhere. The level of trust that he has built up with head coach Brad Stevens — who he still keeps in touch with — only adds credence to the possibility of an Evan Turner return trip to Boston.
The Celtics will have some competition for Turner’s services, with the stiffest challenge expected to come from the Houston Rockets, who could use another playmaker to complement their bevy of scorers.
PF/C Dragan Bender, Wisconsin Herd
The former lottery pick struggled to find a role with the Phoenix Suns and wasn’t any better with the Milwaukee Bucks. As far as buyout pick-ups go, Bender is not a priority-type pick up for Boston, but rather a young prospect with some intriguing skills who might be worth bringing in for the rest of the season to get a closer look at and see if he can be of use down the road.
While the Celtics have a lot of wings, they do lack a potential Al Horford-type stretch four: Could Bender develop?
With all of the options that will be available, watch for the Celtics to make some moves this time around.
