In the next three years, the Boston Celtics could find themselves in position to take aim at any of these five superstars during NBA free agency.
There’s a lot that could change for the Boston Celtics in the next few years. They might not have the money to sign another max-contract player right now, but that could be a different story in the near future.
Next offseason, Isaiah Thomas could hypothetically take his talents elsewhere. He’s seeking a max contract, and Boston may not be willing to pony up. While that only opens up so much cap space, the Celtics could make other roster moves to open up some breathing room under the cap.
Then there’s Al Horford, who could potentially take $30 million off the books by opting out in 2019. If that were the case, Boston would obviously have more than enough financial flexibility to bring another superstar aboard. So again, the Celtics could be in a very different situation as soon as two offseasons from now.
Oh yeah, and Gordon Hayward can technically opt out in 2020. So in each of the next three seasons, significant cap space could be opening for the Celtics. That’s why we’re taking a look at this team’s options in the coming years.
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So here they are — five wildly ambitious free agent targets for the Celtics between now and 2020. They may not all seem like realistic options for Boston for one reason or another, but anything can happen in the NBA as we see evidence of every year.
Jimmy Butler, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves
When he’ll be available: Free agent in 2019 (player option) or 2020
Realistically, a star wing isn’t the Celtics’ biggest need right now. Between Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, they appear to have that covered. As I’ve already mentioned, though, things can change in a hurry in the NBA.
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Let’s say the Celtics opt to trade away Jaylen Brown this season (as I’ve already speculated on). Or maybe Tatum doesn’t quite pan out. While I don’t necessarily think they’ll have come to that conclusion after his sophomore season, it’s anyone’s guess what could happen between now and 2019 free agency.
Either way, a starting job could be opened up at the 2-spot. If that’s the case, Jimmy Butler seems like the perfect solution to that problem. If Thomas or Horford is gone by then, the Celtics could take a swing at the Minnesota Timberwolves’ newest star.
The Celtics know what it’s like to have a dynamic defender at shooting guard. Unfortunately, they needed to trade away Avery Bradley to get Hayward under contract. Replacing him with Butler, though, would help ease the pain of losing the two-time NBA All-Defensive team member.
Butler would obviously cost a pretty penny to sign. With Horford’s massive deal hypothetically off the books, the Celtics could find a way to make it work.
DeAndre Jordan, C, Los Angeles Clippers
When he’ll be available: Free agent in 2018 (player option) or 2019
Right now, Horford fits best in the Celtics’ current lineup as a center. However, in an ideal world, he’d slot in as Boston’s power forward alongside a more defensive-minded center. To fill that void, look no further than DeAndre Jordan.
Obviously there are some potential roadblocks with signing the Los Angeles Clippers’ star big man. First and foremost, he should hit the market in 2018 and will be demanding top dollar. Letting Thomas and Aron Baynes walk would open about $10.5 million. Trading away Jae Crowder and Marcus Smart could potentially free another $11 million or so.
That won’t get Jordan under contract, but Danny Ainge can work magic when needed. Maybe he finds someone to take on Horford’s contract with the plethora of draft assets currently in his pocket. That wouldn’t create the “ideal” opportunity mentioned earlier, though.
Another option would be to pull off a sign-and-trade with the Clippers. They already did so with Chris Paul this offseason, sending him to the Houston Rockets in return for an abundance of players. If Ainge offered some serious draft compensation, Los Angeles may be convinced to bite.
It’s an interesting idea, but would take some serious maneuvering to pull off. Then again, it’s not like Boston doesn’t have experience in that department.
Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder
When he’ll be available: Free agent in 2018 (player option) or 2019
Let’s imagine a scenario where the Celtics, for some reason, decide to let Thomas walk in 2018. It would be a huge setback for this franchise, but it’s going to be expensive handing him the max contract he believes he deserves (via the Boston Herald’s Stephen Hewitt).
If talks don’t go well, maybe Boston decides to move on. If their push for a Finals appearance doesn’t pan out in 2018, it could be decided to mix things up a bit and find an alternative at point guard.
While signing Russell Westbrook would also necessitate a max contract, the Celtics would be getting arguably the NBA’s top talent. I won’t discount Thomas’ ability and standing as one of the league’s best point guards, but he’s certainly no Westbrook. Stealing the reigning MVP from the Oklahoma City Thunder would be a game-changer for Boston.
Even if he does hit the open market, Westbrook will likely be hearing from just about every contender or big-name team out there. I would figure the Celtics would be on the shortlist of potential landing spots, but facing off against a team like the Los Angeles Lakers would be tough.
For now, though, I’m focused on the what-ifs. So what if Boston could find a way to spend their max money on Westbrook instead of Thomas? It would be a brazen move by Ainge and co., but one that could pay serious dividends.
Anthony Davis, PF/C, New Orleans Pelicans
When he’ll be available: Free agent in 2020 (player option) or 2021
It’s no secret that the Celtics are particularly interested in adding Anthony Davis to their lineup, one way or another. They’ve previously been mentioned in trade rumors, seemingly seeing the New Orleans Pelicans’ unique big man as the missing piece to their puzzle.
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The only real problem right now is the fact that waiting for him may take too long. It’s unclear how wide Boston’s window is to make a legitimate run at the NBA Finals. Davis won’t hit the open market until 2020 at the earliest, at which point the Pelicans will do everything in their power to re-sign him.
Chances are New Orleans won’t make him available for trade. Davis is the best player the franchise has seen in some time, and letting him go would only make them even more of an inept squad. Unless the Celtics were to put together some mind-blowing offer, I don’t see the Pelicans parting with the Brow anytime soon.
Still, if Boston wants to play the waiting game, Davis will be available eventually. By 2020, both Horford and Hayward could potentially be off the books for the Celtics. That would potentially leave them with more than enough cap space to get a deal done for the former No. 1 overall pick.
I believe bringing Davis to Bean Town is a pipe dream at best. I find it very hard to believe the Pelicans let him leave, but stranger things have happened. If they can’t put together a competitive group in the next couple of seasons, don’t be surprised if he joins a contender come 2020.
Kyrie Irving, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers
When he’ll be available: Free agent in 2019 (player option) or 2020
Let’s go back to that hypothetical where the Celtics let Thomas leave. It’s a risky move for sure, but there’s a least a small chance it happens if the diminutive point guard gets feisty during contract negotiations. So what’s the plan after that?
Well let’s assume that Westbrook doesn’t work out. My guess would be that he re-signs with the Thunder, especially considering the loyalty angle he loves to push. Let’s then say that they opt to stick with Marcus Smart as their starter for the time being, deciding against adding any big names via free agency. Maybe a rookie helps out at the point as well during the 2018-19 season.
Then the 2019 offseason rolls around and Kyrie Irving becomes available. Chances are that, no matter which team he’s playing for this season and next, he’ll test the free agency waters when he can. He’ll be looking for an opportunity to be the star of the show, an opportunity he hasn’t had since LeBron James‘ return to Cleveland.
Depending on the Celtics’ financial situation at that point, they seem like legitimate contenders for Irving’s services. They could team him with Hayward, who is a star in his own right but wouldn’t overshadow the dynamic point guard by any means. It would also provide him an opportunity to remain in contention.
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Losing Thomas for the 2018-19 campaign would be a difficult blow to battle through. Landing Irving during 2019 free agency, though, would be an awesome consolation prize.