NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason needs for the Boston Celtics

Jul 5, 2013; Waltham, MA, USA; Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge, left, and owner Wyc Grousbeck, right, listen as new Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens answers a question during a news conference announcing Stevens new position. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Guerschon Yabusele greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number sixteen overall pick to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Figure out the status of the onternational 2016 draft and stash players

Lost in the shuffle for the Celtics this offseason are two players they selected in the 2016 NBA Draft. Guerschon Yabusele (No. 16) and Ante Zizic (No. 23) were selected as international draft-and-stash prospects to become Celtics at a later date. After spending a year of gaining more seasoning, the Celtics could opt to promote both players to the active roster in 2017. The question is, are they ready to contribute as soon as next year?

Yabusele, 21, was brought over late last season to play for Boston’s D-League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws. Yabusele, otherwise known as ‘French Draymond’, is a 6-foot-8, 260 pound, power forward that fits the mold of the modern NBA. You guessed it; the hope in Boston is that his ceiling is Draymond Green as that big-bodied guy who can play multiple positions. Yabusele also has a sweet shooting stroke that makes him the perfect developmental stretch-four prospect.

The French native primarily played last season in China where he averaged 20.9 points and 9.4 rebounds per game over the course of 43 appearances. He also played well in two D-League contests putting up 18.5 points a game for the Red Claws. Yabusele will miss the Summer League because of a foot injury but we should expect to see him on the active roster for Boston in 2017-18.

Then Boston also has Ante Zizic to consider. Zizic, 20, spent this past year playing in the Turkish Basketball League suiting up for former Cavaliers head coach David Blatt. His head coach David Blatt spoke very kindly about the Croation big man.

"“One guy that sort of comes to mind is [Steven] Adams from Oklahoma. And he’s certainly turned out to be a pretty fine player. That’s the first guy that sort of jumps out at me when I think of a comparison.”"

Zizic fills a big void the Celtics desperately need as Boston ranked No. 27 in the NBA in rebounding differential. At 7-foot, 258-pounds, Zizic hopefully can be an upgrade over the mediocre options of Amir Johnson and Tyler Zeller. Obviously with any international player, it’s hard to know for sure exactly what you’re getting when they make the leap to the NBA.

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