Chris Coduto-USA TODAY Sports
Celtics Meeting with Three of the Top Remaining Free Agents This Week
With training camp around the corner, the Celtics have two open full-time roster spots and must fill at least one by the start of the regular season.
As Boston looks to do so, it is $4.2 million below the second apron, per Spotrac. While there are acquisitions that warrant crossing this threshold, when it comes to rounding out the roster, it acts as a hard cap.
Fortunately, there are plenty of remaining intriguing options in free agency the Celtics can sign without going over the second apron.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Boston's meeting and working out two players fitting that description this week, T.J. Warren and Lamar Stevens.
Warren, who played for Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, in high school, is a six-foot-eight forward, best suited to play the four at this stage of his career.
The eight-year-veteran could provide scoring off the bench in a limited role that resembles Blake Griffin getting most of his opportunities when a rotation fixture, namely Al Horford, was out of the lineup last season.
Before his playing time got reduced with the Suns after coming over from the Nets with Kevin Durant, Warren averaged 9.5 points in 18.8 minutes in 26 games with Brooklyn.
Stevens is a six-foot-six forward who's much better defensively than the former.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
In his third NBA season, each spent with the Cavaliers, the 26-year-old Philadelphia native started 25 of 62 games he played. Stevens produced 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 18.1 minutes per contest.
A career 28.1 percent three-point shooter on 1.1 attempts from beyond the arc, his lack of long-range proficiency makes him a questionable fit in Joe Mazzulla's offense.
However, like any team, Boston takes note of those who perform well against them. Stevens did so last season in the game in Cleveland where Grant Williams missed two free throws that could've flipped the outcome, registering eight points, eight rebounds, six on the offensive glass, and generating a plus-minus rating of plus-18.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Celtics are also meeting with and working out Louis King this week.
The six-foot-seven forward recently did the same with the Warriors. Last season, he played for the Sixers on a two-way deal.
The only game the former Oregon Duck checked into was Philadelphia's last of the regular season, a matchup against the Nets, where King erupted for 20 points, drilling 4/8 threes.
The four-year veteran has career averages of 4.8 points and 1.6 rebounds and is shooting 35.1 percent on 2.1 attempts from beyond the arc in 10.4 minutes per contest.
Further Reading
Here’s What Blake Griffin Had to Say About His Time in Boston
Here's What to Know About Celtics' 2023-24 Schedule
Highlighting the Marquee Matchups on Celtics' 2023-24 Schedule
Kristaps Porzingis to Engage in 4-6-Week Rehab Program
Examining How Celtics' Starting Lineup Might Shapeshift This Season
Weighing Whether Celtics Should Sign Kelly Oubre
Derrick White on Signing Extension with Celtics: 'I Love Being Here in Boston'
Jaylen Brown Doesn't Want Celtics' Defensive Identity to 'Go Out the Door' With Marcus Smart
Why Celtics Should Enter 2023-24 Season Optimistic About Most Important Area of Improvement
