A Potential Buyout Target and the Celtics are Reportedly Showing Mutual Interest

The Celtics are as attractive a destination as any for players on the buyout market.

Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

At 37-15, the Celtics boast the NBA's best record. They also have a $3.23 million disabled player exception the league granted them due to Danilo Gallinari's ACL tear. That combination makes Boston as attractive as any destination for players who are or end up on the buyout market.

One individual who could fall into the second category is Wizards guard Will Barton. A league source told Keith Smith of Celtics Blog, "there’s some mutual interest there. Barton would give them another scorer off the bench, and he has big game experience too."

Now in his 11th season, Barton's a career 11.4 point-per game scorer, shooting 37.3 percent from beyond the arc on five attempts per contest since 2020.

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He's producing 7.4 points per game this season and knocking down 37.4 percent of the 3.4 threes he's hoisting. Barton's also reliable on catch-and-shoot opportunities, making over 38 percent of them every season since 2017-18. He also can effectively create his own shot. 

Plus, Barton's six-foot-six with a considerable wingspan. It's helped him swipe nearly a steal per game from 2020-2022.

But his playing time has diminished as the campaign has progressed. He's only participated in three of Washington's last ten tilts.

So, while trading for Barton, who starred for Brewster Academy in New Hampshire and is playing on an expiring $14.4 million contract, is unrealistic, Barton may become available on the buyout market.

Further Reading

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