Evaluating Celtics' Options in Free Agency

As the Celtics work to round out their roster, they have an approximately $6.2 million traded player exception and the $5 million taxpayer mid-level exception.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Thursday, the Celtics signed rookie Jordan Walsh, utilizing the second-round exception. The former Arkansas Razorback will occupy a full-time roster spot, and his estimated $1.1 million cap hit won't count until Jul 31.

The move also leaves Boston with one open roster spot. However, that could change if the team parts with Justin Champagnie, who's on the books for $1.9 million on a non-guaranteed deal.

As currently constructed, the Celtics are $2.3 million below the second apron, per Spotrac. While Brad Stevens said they have the "green light" to add to their payroll, they likely won't cross that threshold this season. The idea that they do it to sign a remaining free agent is even more farfetched.

But with a clear path to creating more cap space, an approximately $6.2 million traded player exception from the sign-and-trade sending Grant Williams to the Mavericks, and the $5 million taxpayer mid-level exception, here's a look at some of Boston's best options to round out their roster.

Terence Davis

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

It's worth starting with Terence Davis because this is a player the Celtics have expressed "strong interest" in, per Mark Jones, a play-by-play broadcaster for ESPN, and the Kings, who employed Davis for the 2022-23 campaign.

The six-foot-four shooting guard averaged 6.7 points while shooting 36.6 percent from beyond the arc on 3.8 attempts in 13.1 minutes per contest in the regular season. He had 14 points and drilled 4/10 threes in Game 7 of Sacramento's first-round series against the Warriors.

Dallas and the Raptors are among those also interested in his services. Furthermore, his path to playing time would be difficult, being behind Malcolm Brogdon and Payton Pritchard off the bench if neither one's moved.

Christian Wood

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

In the aftermath of Williams' departure, Christian Wood would be a quality addition to Boston's second unit. He averaged 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and made 37.6 percent of his 4.2 three-point attempts in 25.9 minutes per game, mostly coming off the bench in 2022-23.

The six-foot-ten seven-year veteran could pair with Kristaps Porzingis, Robert Williams, or Al Horford. Being able to offer him more than the veteran minimum for a rotation spot on a title contender could tip the scales in the Celtics' favor.

Ayo Dosunmu

Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Ayo Dosunmu would be an outstanding addition, but he's a restricted free agent Boston would likely have to swing a trade to acquire. And with Brogdon and Pritchard on the roster, it's unlikely the organization does anything more than its due diligence about the 23-year-old guard's availability.

Dosunmu plays with an edge, he's an effective on-ball defender, and in his second NBA campaign, he produced 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and nearly a steal per contest in 26.2 minutes of playing time.

Wesley Matthews

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Wisconsin native might not want to leave the Bucks, who he's been with since December of 2021. However, Milwaukee signed Malik Beasley in free agency and retained Jae Crowder, so perhaps the Celtics could sell him on getting more minutes in Boston.

If so, the former Marquette Golden Eagle would bring a veteran presence who's a gritty perimeter defender capable of knocking down catch-and-shoot threes at the other end.

At 36 and turning 37 in October, the 14-year pro isn't as effective as he once was, including shooting below league average from beyond the arc the last three seasons, but he could add value in the appropriate role.

T.J. Warren

Chris Coduto-USA TODAY Sports

If the Celtics are looking for a veteran minimum signing who could provide scoring off the bench, a flier on T.J. Warren makes sense. Before his playing time got reduced with the Suns after coming over from Brooklyn with Kevin Durant, the eight-year veteran averaged 9.5 points in 18.8 minutes in 26 games.

Austin Rivers

Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Austin Rivers would give Boston another ball handler who can also operate as a two-guard. He manufactured a tick under five points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 19.5 minutes per contest in 52 tilts with the Timberwolves last season. He also made 35 percent of his 2.4 attempts from three-point range.

Javonte Green

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

A knee injury that required minor exploratory surgery limited Javonte Green to 32 games in 2022-23, and he only suited up four times from January through the rest of the season. But he logged 13:36 in the Bulls' second-to-last matchup.

When healthy, Green's done well with his opportunity in Chicago, including generating 7.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and a steal per contest while starting in 45/65 matchups in 2021-22.

After losing Williams, one of, if not Jayson Tatum's closest friend on the team, bringing back Green, who's also a good friend of the Celtics' stars, is a move he'd appreciate.

Dario Saric

Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

After tearing his ACL in the 2021 NBA Finals, Dario Saric missed the following campaign before returning last season. In 57 games split between the Suns and Thunder, he averaged 6.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and buried 39.1 percent of his two attempts from behind the arc.

It's reasonable to believe that Saric, who turned 29 in April, will become more effective next season, further removed from his knee injury. It's not like Boston would be heavily dependent on him either, and he could help when one of the front-court players ahead of him on the depth chart isn't playing.

Blake Griffin

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

If Blake Griffin wants to continue playing, he brought value as someone who accepted his role with the Celtics last season and teammates enjoyed having around. It also helps to have a veteran like him to confab with on the bench, hearing his diagnosis of what he's seeing unfold on the floor and how to handle it.

The six-time All-Star produced 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 41 appearances, including 16 starts and 13.9 minutes per game in his first and possibly only stint in Boston.

Trendon Watford

Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Trendon Watford is a six-foot-nine forward who can play the three and the four and averaged 7.5 points and four rebounds in his first two years in the NBA.

It's surprising the Trail Blazers are willing to let the former LSU Tiger, who turns 23 in November, head elsewhere, but that could benefit the Celtics as they work to fill out their roster.

Further Reading

Celtics Sign Second-Round Pick Jordan Walsh

Celtics Reportedly Not Pursuing Damian Lillard

Celtics Losing Grant Williams in Sign-and-Trade Demonstrates Intention of NBA's New CBA

NBA Insider Says Multi-Team Deal Could Get Damian Lillard to the Heat

The Latest on Celtics' Negotiations with Jaylen Brown

Marcus Smart Wants It Known There's No Beef Between Him and Jaylen Brown: 'We're Brothers'

Jayson Tatum Reportedly Recruiting Damian Lillard to Join Celtics

Brad Stevens Discusses Difficult Decision to Trade Marcus Smart: 'He'll Always Have Boston'

Celtics Sign Forward Oshae Brissett

Celtics Reportedly Interested in Signing Terence Davis

Celtics, Kristaps Porzingis Agree to 2-Year, $60 Million Extension