Celtics midseason acquisition options 2023-24

[InstaFace]

We've had a lot of chatter about e.g. Kelly Olynyk and other possible buyout candidates or free agents in various other threads. Let's gather them together. After all, we do have an open roster slot.

One I've seen discussed before is Will Barton, a 6'6" ball handling wing. I don't think he'd necessarily top Hauser for rotation wing (though he might), but I think he'd probably be good depth / floor / injury insurance. He's 32, and was bought out by the Wizards last season after the deadline and brought into Toronto at the pro-rated minimum. He doesn't appear to be up to much right now, but was still rated an average NBA player last year by normal metrics, though DARKO saw a nosedive down from ~0 to -2 albeit with a more stable D-DPM defensive rating.

Who else should we be keeping an eye on?

 

[StMic]

Gordon Hayward is the final year of his contract. I've always liked Kyle Anderson, who is also in the last year of his deal, but the T'Wolves should be in the hunt for a playoff spot.

 

[bakahump]

Goardoun Haewuud would be a Poetic storybook acquisition.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Celtics can't acquire any buyouts who make more than the MLE remember which is $12.4M

So no Hayward.

I doubt Olynyk gets bought out.

I would guess the most likely addition is a different former Celtics big. One who has been publicly unhappy that he isn't getting playing time for his current team..... Daniel Theis.

 

[lovegtm]

Celtics can't acquire any buyouts who make more than the MLE remember which is $12.4M

So no Hayward.

I doubt Olynyk gets bought out.

I would guess the most likely addition is a different former Celtics big. One who has been publicly unhappy that he isn't getting playing time for his current team..... Daniel Theis.

Yeah, I mentioned Theis earlier today. The money works, once the Dec 15 moratorium on bundling min contracts is lifted. Think you'd need to send about $8M to match, so ~4 players.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Yeah, I mentioned Theis earlier today. The money works, once the Dec 15 moratorium on bundling min contracts is lifted. Think you'd need to send about $8M to match, so ~4 players.

I don't think it's gonna be a trade.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Danny Green is available. Would be a nice veteran presence in the mold of Blake Griffin.

 

[lovegtm]

I don't think it's gonna be a trade.

Obviously buyout is better for tax purposes; was just pointing out that a trade is feasible and not crazy.

 

[slamminsammya]

Danny Green is available. Would be a nice veteran presence in the mold of Blake Griffin.

word on the street was he wanted to be back with the sixers, is that not possible?

 

[TripleOT]

I see Olynyk as a buyout candidate. The Jazz don‘t figure to be a playoff team, and his minutes as a reserve are down to start the season. They now have John Collins, with two additional years at $26m.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I see Olynyk as a buyout candidate. The Jazz don‘t figure to be a playoff team, and his minutes as a reserve are down to start the season. They now have John Collins, with two additional years at $26m.

I think Olynyk will have trade interest, whether for himself or a salary to move a big deal to UTA. Plus.... when has Danny bought anyone out, an asset is an asset.

 

[TripleOT]

I think Olynyk will have trade interest, whether for himself or a salary to move a big deal to UTA. Plus.... when has Danny bought anyone out, an asset is an asset.

Last season, with Westbrook.

Olynyk has a high powered agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel, who also represents John Collins. The Jazz will have to pay Markkanen big money next season, so they probably will be ok to have KO‘s salary slot dissipate. If Kelly and the slot aren’t in their plans, why not do him a solid, and save a few bucks?

 

[TomRicardo]

I think Olynyk will have trade interest, whether for himself or a salary to move a big deal to UTA. Plus.... when has Danny bought anyone out, an asset is an asset.

Yea there is no way Danny buys out Kelly. Kelly's contract has value. If the Celtics had the salary to piece together they would give two seconds in a cocaine heartbeat to get Kelly to upgrade over Kornet.

 

[benhogan]

Last season, with Westbrook.

Olynyk has a high powered agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel, who also represents John Collins. The Jazz will have to pay Markkanen big money next season, so they probably will be ok to have KO‘s salary slot dissipate. If Kelly and the slot aren’t in their plans, why not do him a solid, and save a few bucks?

If UTAH is eliminated quickly and they become sellers there is an outside chance a "solid" might happen (not probably, but I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand)
1. Obviously Danny has very strong ties with Boston, with his son in the the front office.
2. Kelly may take a sizeable cut in a buyout if he wants to title chase in Boston, those cost savings may be worth more than taking salary & 2nds (not sure 1yr of Kelly would get Utah a first & 2nds are just $$$)

We've all seen stranger things happen. Brad/Zarren have been pulling rabbits out of hats for two years now.
Confidence is high that they will address any need this year

 

[djbayko]

Celtics can't acquire any buyouts who make more than the MLE remember which is $12.4M

So no Hayward.

I doubt Olynyk gets bought out.

I would guess the most likely addition is a different former Celtics big. One who has been publicly unhappy that he isn't getting playing time for his current team..... Daniel Theis.

Highwired is cursed on the Celtics anyways. It's for the better.

 

[Manzivino]

Andre Drummond is only making $3.36M so he fits into the Grant TPE, is still well rated by DARKO, and Chicago has prime blow-it-up potential. Added bonus that if Chicago does go that route, the Cs have their second round pick that they could send back to them for Drummond (technically the more favorable of Chicago/New Orleans)

Richaun Holmes could be intriguing, he's making $12.046M and he's buried on Dallas' depth chart with the emergence of Lively (i.e. he hasn't appeared in a game this season). I don't think he has much trade value at that money, much more likely to get bought out than Olynyk IMO.

Delon Wright is in the last year of his deal with the Wizards and they're obviously not going anywhere, I could see him being a target to shore up the guard rotation, but more likely he gets traded than bought out.

Not a whole lot to get excited about in this range, understandably. How's Aron Baynes looking in Australia, maybe he's interested in a reunion?

 

[PedroKsBambino]

Isn't the likely Olynyk buyout only after he isn't traded at deadline? That is what I'd guess - and thus, if someone gives up material value for him he'll be there, rather than buyout market. But if not (which I think is possible, especially given Danny can be aggressive in his 'asks') I don't think impossible he's bought out.

Drummond is interesting for specific matchup usage, and as a quality rebounder. But generically, I don't think he plays for Celtics in playoffs. Still may be worth it as a buyout pickup though.

 

[benhogan]

Not a whole lot to get excited about in this range, understandably. How's Aron Baynes looking in Australia, maybe he's interested in a reunion?

Prime Baynes would have been the perfect 3rd Center with this team, regardless of what @HomeRunBaker will tell you

Aron had serious medical issues a few years ago. His NBA career is over.

 

[Manzivino]

Prime Baynes would have been the perfect 3rd Center with this team, regardless of what @HomeRunBaker will tell you

Aron had serious medical issues a few years ago. His NBA career is over.

I know he had the fall and spinal cord injury, now he's playing 15 minutes a game in the NBL in Australia so he's at least back to playing professional basketball.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Yeah, I mentioned Theis earlier today. The money works, once the Dec 15 moratorium on bundling min contracts is lifted. Think you'd need to send about $8M to match, so ~4 players.

Unlikely to happen but Cs could sign-and-trade Blake if they really really wanted a player as well.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Prime Baynes would have been the perfect 3rd Center with this team, regardless of what @HomeRunBaker will tell you

Aron had serious medical issues a few years ago. His NBA career is over.

Aron had serious basketball issues a few years ago when his NBA career was all but over.

 

[Double Down Trent]

Isn't the likely Olynyk buyout only after he isn't traded at deadline? That is what I'd guess - and thus, if someone gives up material value for him he'll be there, rather than buyout market. But if not (which I think is possible, especially given Danny can be aggressive in his 'asks') I don't think impossible he's bought out.

Drummond is interesting for specific matchup usage, and as a quality rebounder. But generically, I don't think he plays for Celtics in playoffs. Still may be worth it as a buyout pickup though.

Especially if Jazz are tanking it would benefit Danny to buy Olynyk out and play the youngsters.