NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason targets for the Boston Celtics
By Dre Elder
The Boston Celtics need more than home-court advantage to topple the Cleveland Cavaliers. Here are five offseason targets that will help close the gap.
The Celtics won 53 games last season to secure home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoff rounds. They edged out the defending champion Cavaliers for the top seed in the process. Ultimately, it did not matter. Boston dropped all three home games to Cleveland during the Conference Finals in blowout fashion. They simply do not have enough great players. Celtics’ GM Danny Ainge recently commented on the team’s intentions this summer.
"“We anticipate being very active and continuing to try to improve our roster.” -Danny Ainge"
Ainge has been heavily scrutinized for his reluctance to make blockbuster moves. Boston has the assets to broker a deal for almost any superstar in the league. With a few big names hitting free agency this summer, the Celtics can greatly improve their roster without trading anyone. The rumors are endless. The anticipation is increasing. Here are five players Boston fans should hope their team is targeting this offseason.
5. Kristaps Porzingis
This guy would be higher on the list if he were a free agent. Until a week ago, no one thought the New York Knicks would trade him. At this point, can anyone make sense of what is going on with that team and its leadership. Here’s what we do know. The power forward position is a head-scratcher on the Celtics’ roster. Amir Johnson started 77 games at the position last season. Surprisingly, he ranked fifth among all power forwards in Real Plus-Minus. But don’t count on the Cavaliers plotting how to corral Johnson in a playoff series. Conversely, Kristaps Porzingis commands attention.
The 7-foot-3 Latvian “unicorn” is an other-worldly talent. At 21-years-old, Porzingis is a budding star. He averaged 18.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game last season. He would have been the Celtics’ second-leading scorer and leader in rebounds and blocks. Porzingis would fill several voids for Boston. He’s a skilled mid-post or face-up player that can consistently get his own shot. He stretches the floor and defends the paint. Currently, Al Horford is their only post option and rim protector. And Horford was wildly inconsistent in the first year of a scary contract.
The only downside for Boston is the Knicks’ asking price for Porzingis. Phil Jackson has eluded to being open to moving his star player if he can get “two starters or a draft pick.” Ainge has shown remarkable patience in building the Celtics’ roster. So, he’s unlikely to meet the Knicks’ demands but Boston becomes a more dangerous team for years to come if they land Porzingis.