Potential Celtics Free-Agent Target Retires

While players on the Celtics have lobbied for Blake Griffin to return, the buyout market has become barren.

Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Players on the Boston Celtics have lobbied for Blake Griffin to return to fill their roster vacancy.

Time will tell if he rejoins them for their playoff run, but Boston's options among current players are dwindling.

Patty Mills signed with the Miami Heat, Danilo Gallinari joined the Milwaukee Bucks, Mike Muscala signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Shake Milton chose the New York Knicks.

That's not to say the Celtics or any of the players mentioned had an interest in partnering, but it reflects the buyout market becoming barren.

Furthermore, the Utah Jazz and Otto Porter Jr. didn't part ways until Monday. Mar. 1 was the final day a player could get waived and retain playoff eligibility.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

While the former third-overall pick, who contributed to the Golden State Warriors' championship run in 2022, could still add value thanks to his basketball intellect and experience, the 30-year-old announced via the Jazz that he's retiring.

"For the past 11 years, I had the chance to live my lifelong dream of playing in the NBA," expressed Porter. "That dream was capped by winning an NBA Championship! Unfortunately, my body is not allowing me to play at the level that I expect of myself, and I have therefore decided to retire."

Perhaps Boston will convert Neemias Queta from a two-way to a standard NBA contract, a prospect Inside The Celtics spoke with the franchise's president of basketball operations Brad Stevens about.

But they might prefer to sort out the futures of Al Horford, Xavier Tillman, and Luke Kornet this summer before determining if it's best to sign Queta to a standard contract or see if he'll return on a two-way deal.

Further Reading

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Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'

Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'