Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2016: 5 targets for Celtics

By Cody Williams

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 19: Boston Celtics guard guard Isaiah Thomas, left, reacts after he is called for fouling Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha, not pictured, on a three point shot as Hawks center Al Horford looks on while Celtics guard Evan Turner, right, reacts during the second half of Game 2 in the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs at Philips Arena in Atlanta on April 19, 2016. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 19: Boston Celtics guard guard Isaiah Thomas, left, reacts after he is called for fouling Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha, not pictured, on a three point shot as Hawks center Al Horford looks on while Celtics guard Evan Turner, right, reacts during the second half of Game 2 in the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs at Philips Arena in Atlanta on April 19, 2016. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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Mar 11, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) reacts as `b8 and center Tyler Zeller (left) celebrate during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) reacts as `b8 and center Tyler Zeller (left) celebrate during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Dwight Howard

Red flags are the name of the game when it comes to Dwight Howard as he’s opting out of the final year of his contract with the Houston Rockets to become an unrestricted free agent. There are the more obvious red flags that involve him butting heads with coaches time and again and the fact that the veteran center is seemingly a nightmare for every team he plays on in regards to killing chemistry. Then there are slightly less vibrant red flags, like the ones waving that say Dwight might be getting closer to washed up than we realize on the backside of his prime.

However, the Celtics are in need of a center this offseason and are also one of the few teams that actually make sense for Howard as a destination. Though Howard’s skills are pretty clearly declining in addition to his physical gifts to a degree, the Celtics are in a position where they can put the talent around him and put him into a situation where he can rejuvenate and lengthen his career while also addressing a big need for Boston at the center position.

What’s important in this formula is of course the coaching of Brad Stevens (a common theme, you’ll find). Stevens has proven that he can work wonders from the sidelines in Boston and it would certainly be a wonder to have Dwight start buying in fully to a system at this point of his career. If anyone can pull it off, though, you have to believe that Stevens might have the best shot.

Next: No. 3 Whiteside

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