3 NBA teams that should sign Gorgui Dieng after buyout

3. Boston Celtics

Evan Fournier is a good player, and he will make the Boston Celtics better. But it was impossible not to feel disappointed by the Celtics’ activity at the trade deadline, especially for an 8-seeded team that expected to be contending for a Finals spot this year. And that, of course, says nothing of the NBA-record $28.5 million trade exception they had to work with at the deadline.

No offense to the lovable Tacko Fall or the newly acquired Luke Kornet, but Dieng could step in and immediately bolster Boston’s frontcourt rotation, especially with Tristan Thompson having missed the last seven games due to health and safety protocols.

What Brad Stevens would do with Robert Williams III, Dieng and a fully healthy Thompson is anyone’s guess, but Dieng is a highly capable second- or third-string big on any playoff team. If the Celtics want to solidify their standing in a crowded playoff picture out East, Dieng would be a good short-term pickup to fill in for Thompson and a savvy long-term addition to prepare for anything in a playoff series.