NBA · 1 year ago

8 Celtics Buyout Options as Post-Trade Deadline Market Takes Shape

John Canady

Host · Writer

Patty Mills
Patty Mills is someone the Celtics have targeted for a while. Before signing with the Nets in 2021, Boston tried hard to land the scoring veteran. Nonetheless, Mills never made his way to the C’s roster—at least not yet.

The Hawks’ guard has fallen out of the rotation in Atlanta, and at 35 years old, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Mills waived in the coming days to be given a chance to compete with a contender. Multiple teams would inquire about his services if made available, and it’s safe to say the Celtics would be one of them.
Celtics Buyout Options
The Celtics are one of seven teams that the new CBA guidelines interfere with. Boston can add players through the buyout market, but only players whose previous salary was equivalent to or less than the Non-Taxpayer MLE ($12.4 million).

Nonetheless, with the C’s looking to add to their depth ahead of their postseason run, here are players the Eastern Conference contenders could target.
Danuel House Jr.
Danuel House Jr. has to be one of the top available players on the buyout market for contending teams. The versatile forward was traded from the 76ers to Detroit before being waived hours later by the Pistons. The 30-year-old may not have flashy stats, but he can fill a spot for any team and provide quality minutes when his number is called upon.

The Celtics could consider House Jr. for the team’s final roster spot.
Otto Porter Jr.
Otto Porter Jr. was traded to the Jazz as part of a deal sending Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji to the Raptors. The veteran hasn’t played much for Toronto this season but played a vital role in the Warriors championship run two years ago. If Utah buys him out, Porter Jr. could provide playoff experience and leadership to a locker room. Not to mention what he could contribute on the court if healthy.

The Celtics were linked to the 30-year-old ahead of the trade deadline, and now they’ll have a chance to sign him without giving up any assets.
Killian Hayes
Killian Hayes was a surprise addition to the buyout market. The former No. 7 overall pick spent four seasons with the Pistons, averaging 8.1 points, 5.2 assists, and 2.8 rebounds. Hayes reportedly requested to be traded from Detroit, but with the Pistons unable to find a partner, the 22-year-old now gets a chance to choose his next location.

Although he hasn’t developed an offensive game yet, Hayes has shown flashes as a playmaker. At six-foot-five, the French prospect could be worth a flier for Boston to add to their bench. That is if Hayes would consider taking on a lesser role with a contender.
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Danilo Gallinari
Danilo Gallinari signed with the Celtics two offseasons ago before injuring his knee in an Olympic matchup that summer. After missing the first season of his two-year contract with the C's, Boston dealt him to the Wizards as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade.

Gallinari returned to health this season with Washington before being dealt to the Pistons, who will now let the big man test the open market after waiving him. Gallinari is averaging 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, shooting an impressive 45.1% from the floor this season.

Nonetheless, the 35-year-old has seemingly lost a step after the injury to his ACL and looks like more of a liability on the defensive end than he was before the injury. However, he can provide a team with a scoring option off the bench that multiple contenders would be interested in.

The problem for the Celtics? Gallinari seemed to have a bit of bad blood with Boston's front office for dealing him in the offseason. Whether or not he's gotten over how things ended would ultimately be the deciding factor in whether he gets a second go-round in Beantown.
Cory Joseph
Cory Joseph is one of the more underrated players on the market. The point guard spent the season with the Warriors before being dealt to the Pacers in the final moments of the trade deadline. Although he didn’t manage to crack the rotation, Joseph has shown his ability to run a bench unit in his time with the Spurs, Raptors, and even Indiana in his first go-round.

The 32-year-old would be a good signing for any contending team, and the Celtics may be the team to pursue him.
Cedi Osman
Cedi Osman's future with the Spurs has yet to be decided, but with San Antonio heading toward a youth movement, he is a prime candidate for the buyout market to free up minutes for the young guys. The 28-year-old may be given the chance to compete for a championship elsewhere and could provide a contender with an immediate impact role player.

Osman is averaging only 7.3 points this season in 18.2 minutes per game, but his 47.6% from field goal range and 37.3% from three are the really impressive parts. If he hits the open market, the versatile forward could be a great addition to the Celtics bench.
Delon Wright
Delon Wright was a name that many teams were monitoring ahead of the trade deadline. Although the combo guard wasn’t dealt, the Wizards may consider releasing him and allowing him to find a more prominent role elsewhere.

Although he’s only averaging 4.4 points per year, Wright has way more to offer than Washington gave him the chance to. The two-way player could be a good fit for the Celtics if made available.
Patty Mills
Patty Mills is someone the Celtics have targeted for a while. Before signing with the Nets in 2021, Boston tried hard to land the scoring veteran. Nonetheless, Mills never made his way to the C’s roster—at least not yet.

The Hawks’ guard has fallen out of the rotation in Atlanta, and at 35 years old, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Mills waived in the coming days to be given a chance to compete with a contender. Multiple teams would inquire about his services if made available, and it’s safe to say the Celtics would be one of them.
Celtics Buyout Options
The Celtics are one of seven teams that the new CBA guidelines interfere with. Boston can add players through the buyout market, but only players whose previous salary was equivalent to or less than the Non-Taxpayer MLE ($12.4 million).

Nonetheless, with the C’s looking to add to their depth ahead of their postseason run, here are players the Eastern Conference contenders could target.

8 Celtics Buyout Options as Post-Trade Deadline Market Takes Shape

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