Boston Celtics: 5 wildly ambitious free agency targets in next 3 years
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.