With the Boston Celtics trading for veteran Oklahoma City Thunder big man Mike Muscala in their sole move at the 2023 NBA trade deadline, the need to fortify the club’s frontcourt has diminished.
But if the team hopes to make the postseason with their star wings healthy and with fresh legs, adding another body off the buyout market to bolster the team’s wing depth ought to be Boston’s next priority.
While it is not yet clear whether the better candidates for what the Celtics are after will even be bought out at the time of writing, we have identified a handful of prospects Boston’s front office ought to be inquiring after.
Larger wings able to play more than one position should be the focus of any buyout signing, and the disabled player exception granted to the team after Danilo Gallinari’s injury gives Boston an edge as a contending squad.
Celtics Lab 170: Getting up to speed on a very busy trade deadline with Clemente Almanza https://t.co/cEDEBWA6sF
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Will Barton - Washington Wizards
Given we know Barton can still shoot the rock (38% from deep this season) even if the 6-foot-6 wing is a step slower on defense, Barton is probably our top option for the Celtics.
While his role with the Wiz has shrunk considerably, we think the rumbles of mutual interest are something Boston ought to follow up on.
Danny Green - Houston Rockets
Green has the championship pedigree as well as the fit down to a tee as a defensive-minded wing able to knock down a trey. He has been close to his career averages of 39.9% from deep in limited action this season.
There has to be some concern about the lingering effects of a fairly substantial knee injury, but Green would be another excellent option if bought out as long as concerns regarding re-injury were minimal.
Terrence Ross - Orlando Magic
There has been a mixed record of bringing Celtics-killers to Boston in terms of on-court results, but at least on the offensive end of the court, Ross offers size and a competent shot from deep.
But he can be pretty inconsistent game to game and season to season with his outside shot, so we’d have Ross a peg lower than Barton or Green.
Justin Holiday - Houston Rockets
Another larger wing who can hit from deep enough to keep opposing offenses honest at 34.5% this season, Holiday is an OK defender at this stage of his career.
He wouldn’t be our first choice but would be a fine option to fill in on nights when the wing is a little thin whether by design or by disaster.
Juan Toscano-Anderson - Utah Jazz
It’s possible JTA is not bought out by the Jazz, but the former Laker is used to the sort of role he would get with Boston as a regular-season minutes-eater with an opportunity to play a bigger role on some nights.
A career 34.7% shot from deep and a capable defender, Toscano-Anderson also has a dash of postseason experience, though we doubt he would see much playoff floor time with the Celtics barring an emergency.
