Fansided

3 biggest free-agent mistakes in Boston Celtics history

By Jonathan Lurensky

Apr 4, 2010; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) talks with Boston Celtics center Rasheed Wallace (30) during the first half at the TD Banknorth Garden. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 117-113. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2010; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) talks with Boston Celtics center Rasheed Wallace (30) during the first half at the TD Banknorth Garden. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 117-113. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
31 Oct 1997: Head coach Rick Pitino of the Boston Celtics (left) looks on during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics won the game 92-85.
31 Oct 1997: Head coach Rick Pitino of the Boston Celtics (left) looks on during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics won the game 92-85. /

The Boston Celtics have had tons of success in their history but it hasn’t always been rosy and they’ve made their fair share of free-agent mistakes.

The Boston Celtics have had a very clean history when it has came to NBA off-season moves, but, like every other team, they’ve made some mistakes.

A horrible signing during the  Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen era forced the team to have less of a chance to repeat after 2008. Another mistake was made during the very horrible Rick Pitino era. Additionally, in recent years, they have made a major mistake in free agency which they were only able to get over by making an amazing trade.

Celtics biggest free agent mistakes: 3. Chris Mills

Under Pitino, the Celtics signed Chris Mills to a seven-year deal worth around $33 million (again this is a pre-cap jump so a pretty big investment). The Celtics would end up trading Mills not even three months into the deal to the New York Knicks. In order to get Mills, the Celtics traded away two second-round picks and Eric Williams to clear cap space.

Williams was on his rookie contract which would have made him a cheaper investment. In terms of total disaster, this would not have a huge long-term impact due to the fact that the Celtics traded him away. Still, this signing represented the Rick Pitino era in a nutshell.

Home/NBA Free Agency