The Boston Celtics are looking to fill at least some of the minutes that will be vacated by veteran forward Danilo Gallinari after news broke of the Italian swingman’s ACL injury. That injury, sustained in FIBA World Cup qualifier play, will likely keep Gallinari out of action through at least the end of the 2022-23 regular season and perhaps beyond.
Early reporting has suggested the team is in no hurry to replace Gallo. Boston reportedly plans to get a good look at the prospects it already has on the roster, but a strict adherence to such a plan might well see free agents of note find homes elsewhere.
The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn recently highlighted five potential signees the Celtics could consider bringing on in the wake of Gallinari’s injury. Let’s dive into the prospective replacements.
Danilo Gallinari is almost certainly out for the season; now what for the Boston Celtics? https://t.co/sX1I26lImp
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 5, 2022
Carmelo Anthony
“This is starting to gain traction because Anthony may be the best shooting forward left on the market, and he has shown to be productive offensively despite his age,” writes Washburn.
“He turned 38 in May, but he managed to play 69 games last season and averaged 13.3 points off the bench.”
DeMarcus Cousins
“Cousins is a rugged center who could add toughness and maybe even leadership to a young team,” writes the Globe reporter. “He has played the past few years issue-free, even spending a stint with the Bucks.”
“Cousins is a 33% 3-point shooter and would not adjust well to an up-tempo offense, but he could set screens, score at the rim, grab rebounds and serve as the third center.”
Jeremy Lamb
Washburn posits that Lamb “would be a backup shooting guard and has the ability to score, but not efficiently. He’s not a good 3-point shooter and is often injured, but Lamb is only 30 and could serve a purpose off the bench.”
“This wouldn’t fill the frontcourt role vacated by Gallinari, but it would add another capable player on a cheaper contract.”
Dwight Howard
Another option who is not a fit for Gallo’s role, Washburn writes “Howard could fill a role as a third center and provide veteran experience in the paint.”
“Howard, 36, is obviously not the player he was 10 years ago, but he could spell Al Horford and Robert Williams, grab rebounds, and score at the rim,” but “opinions from Celtics brass and Udoka may vary on the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, whose reputation is not pristine.”
LaMarcus Aldridge
“Aldridge has always had the ability to score from midrange, but defensively he could have some issues,” suggests the Globe Reporter.
“Experience would be the lone reason to bring in Aldridge, but he averaged 12.9 points and 5.5 rebounds when he received quality minutes from the Nets.”
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