Boston Celtics: 5 best free agent signings in team history
By Drew Taylor
Holding one of the most prominent markets in the NBA, we take a look at the Boston Celtics’ best free-agent signings in the organization’s 74-year history.
It is well documented that the Boston Celtics are one of the most historical and successful franchises in the NBA, if not all professional sports. However, when we look deep into their history (and there’s a lot of it), not very often do we find big free-agent signings.
Almost every Celtic great arrived through the NBA Draft; Larry Bird, Bill Russell, Paul Pierce, Kevin McHale, and John Havlicek were all drafted by the Cs. Even the ones who weren’t like Kevin Garnett, Robert Parish, Ray Allen and Dennis Johnson all started their careers on different teams but were acquired by the Celtics through a trade.
Up until the last few years, the Celtics acquired all of their talent either through the NBA Draft or trades with other teams. Though they held a huge market and salary in Boston, very rarely did the front office pull the trigger and sign big names through free agency.
After taking over the executive position in 2003, Danny Ainge quickly earned the nickname “Trader Danny” for trading away players like Antoine Walker and trading for players like Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. The only half-decent free agents he signed were backups Eddie House and Rasheed Wallace or washed up oldies Stephon Marbury, Shaquille O’Neal and Jason Terry.
Not until 2016 did Danny Ainge make his first big splash in free agency. Little did we know that this would lead to even bigger names signed to even bigger max contracts in the future.
Now, we take a look at the Celtics’ best free-agent signings in the organization’s 74-year history.