The Boston Celtics could use some big bodies next season although head coach Brad Stevens has managed to handle the team well this 2019-20 season. The team managed to bring in some big guys in the person of Enes Kanter, Daniel Theis, Robert Williams, and Grant Williams but the team could use more muscle with a proven veteran upfront.
The departure of Al Horford and Marcus Morris was big but the Celtics have managed thus far. The Bean Town squad had already clinched a playoff spot in the NBA Eastern Conference with a 43-21 win-loss card before the season was suspended due to the coronavirus.
There is no telling what the NBA has planned but the Celtics may be in for some rough playoff games ahead. If the standings stay the same, they will be facing the Philadelphia 76ers. Assuming Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are back to full health by the postseason wars, Boston will be in for a battle inside the paint.
Things may be holding up for now but exploring free agents in the offseason would be likely for the Cs. According to SB Nation, one player that team president Danny Ainge may consider is Tristan Thompson of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Canadian is set to become a free agent and will be one of the most sought-after players for the 2020-21 NBA season.
However, Thompson did mention in the past that he will not accept anything lower than what he is getting. He is in the final year of his $82 million five-year deal, meaning Ainge will have to cough up big money to lure the 29-year-old forward. A precedent to this on the Celtics' side is who will stay and who will go.
Kanter holds a two-year deal but can opt-out after the current NBA season. If he opts-in, the Turkish big man will make $5 million next season. He could test the market to get bigger compensation.
As for Thompson, it depends if he is inclined to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers after this season. The last time he spoke, it appeared he was pretty much happy with the organization and its new head coach JB Bickerstaff. Also, the Cavs have made it know that they have grown fond of the 6-foot-9 center-forward, hinting that the two sides could be working out something soon. Boston can still try to sit down and talk with the 4th overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft but with no guarantees.
