Expect change
Ainge to deal with plenty of possibilities
It’s a given that the Celtics will have some new people wearing their uniform next season, but, because of potential trades and the like, there is uncertainty even in that. While we think we know that certain former draftees will be signing, there is no way to account for offers the Celts may get before and even after the June 22 draft.
So let’s examine the possibilities and add a look at players on other clubs the Celtics have tried to acquire as they seek to gather talent and fill needs.
At season’s end, president of baseball operations Danny Ainge told the Herald, “I would say that our biggest weakness is rebounding, and I think you can always become better at shooting.”
In the latter case, what he’s talking about is a consistent high-scoring threat to put next to All-Star Isaiah Thomas.
But let us begin with people already under the Celts’ control:
Ante Zizic — The 2016 23rd overall pick is 6-foot11, a strong physical presence and he’d be playing on a rookie-scale contract. On those counts, he’d seem to be a perfect player to replace Amir Johnson and his $12 million salary and give the C’s help on the boards.
But Zizic is just 20 years old and is still maturing both physiologically and as a player. There was some surprise at how well he did when he moved into the Turkish league during this past season, and former Celt Gigi Datome gave his seal of approval. But Ainge is treading lightly.
“I don’t know,” Ainge said. “I don’t want to put any pressure on guys that have never played in the NBA yet. I don’t even want to go there with expectations. You know, let’s see. Let’s wait and see. We like him. We love his potential. But we’ll see. I mean, at some point I do believe he’ll be able to help us, but when that is and how early that is in his career, I don’t know. Time will tell.”
Guerschon Yabusele — The Dancing Bear underwent foot surgery to deal with bone spurs and likely won’t be able to play for the Celts in the summer leagues. And depending on how the C’s do with trades and free agency, they may hope to keep him overseas another year.
At a burly 6-7, Yabusele has an intriguing game. He did very well for D-League Maine after coming back from his stint in China, showing good outside touch and strength inside, and that was after injuring his ankle in his last foreign appearance.
The 16th overall pick last June, Yabusele certainly hasn’t lost any value since then.
Abdel Nader — A late second-round pick in 2016, the 6-6 Nader averaged 21.3 points for the Red Claws and had a strong overall season. The question is whether there will be room for him with the big club, but there’s no doubt Nader believes he’s ready to play in the big league.
Markelle Fultz — The 6-4 guard is listed atop most every chart of best players available in this year’s draft, and most NBA general managers believe he is at least the leader in the clubhouse for the Celtics, who, of course, own the No. 1 overall pick. A couple of opposing execs went as far as to say the C’s were looking for protection when discussing this Nets pick in trade last February, wanting to be able to keep it if it wound up first in the lottery so they could take Fultz.
If Ainge doesn’t deal the choice away in some blockbuster move, the talk will then move to whether Fultz and Thomas can play together, but both have said they can make it work.
Gordon Hayward — The way the Celtics so closely guarded their salary cap flexibility and the chance to clear space for a major free agent would lead one to believe they’ve had at least some indication that the 6-8 All-Star would be willing to opt out of his Utah deal and at least listen to their pitch.
Hayward bought a home near San Diego more than a year and a half ago, so maybe he stays with Utah or looks to play even further west. But he could also come to the Celts for three years with an out, play for his former Butler coach — knowing coach Brad Stevens understands his game and will keep his value high — and then be eligible to sign for the 10-year veteran’s maximum in 2020.
Hayward’s not just one of the best players on the free agent market, but his outside shooting and overall offensive package would benefit the Celts and Thomas greatly.
Paul George — The Celtics have been interested in him for a while, but George essentially took himself off the market last February when he let it be known he would either stay in Indiana to compete for a title or leave for the Lakers when he can opt out after next season. Much like in the Kevin Garnett case, if he’d be willing to come to Boston and stay, the Celts would put together a big offer.
Jimmy Butler — He’s been a Celtic target for two years at least, but word from around the league is that he’s become more of a “for the right price” guy. That could obviously be said about anyone, but the belief is that others like George are bigger prizes.