The Boston Celtics may have their work cut out for them this summer with some key players no longer in the mix. Gone are Kyrie Irving and Al Horford and team president Danny Ainge will be looking to infuse young and fresh faces moving forward. Anthony Davis was a target but all that went up in smoke with the Los Angeles Lakers taking in the 6-foot-10 NBA All-Star.
Several names have been suggested as logical targets for the Celtics. Among the names mentioned include Kemba Walker, Enes Kanter, and Malcolm Brogdon. Walker, incidentally, is another player linked to the Lakers but the type of contract he gets may not be the one the 29-year-old would want. Further, he also mentioned that he wants to listen first to what the Charlotte Hornets have to offer before making his move.
According to the Bleacher Report, Walker is expected to command max money this summer. Like the Lakers, the Celtics do have some limitations in terms of team salary budget. They could pad that a bit once Irving, Horford, Marcus Morris and Terry Rozier are unloaded together with some free agents. However, Boston needs multiple players to make up for the exit of the stars above.
One cost-friendly target could be Enes Kanter. A certified double-double machine, the 27-year-old could blend in well with the likes of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward next season. He can score and rebound, departments where the Celtics need a lot of help.
As for Brogdon, adding him makes sense as well for added firepower. After dealing with a foot injury last season, there is no question that the 2017 NBA Rookie of the Year would be a great addition. But being a restricted free agent, the Celtics would need to make a huge offer which the Milwaukee Bucks would be unable to match. Other teams are aware of this scenario – including the Lakers.
Brogdon averaged 15.6 points in 64 appearances last season. He also owns a high 50.5-percent field goal clip from the field and is 42.6-percent from the three-point region, the Silver Screen and Roll reported. The 36th overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft can improve the offensive end of the Celtics at the right price.
There are of course more names available in NBA free agency with all teams trying to lure the best names for next season. The Celtics will be busy doing the numbers crunch and hopefully do better compared to their finish during the 2018-19 NBA wars.
