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Examining Potential Options for the Celtics on the Buyout Market
The Celtics are one of, and arguably the most attractive option for players who are or end up on the buyout market. Though, the Phoenix Suns, in the wake of their blockbuster deal for Kevin Durant, now also have a strong case for being the best landing spot for free agents who find a new home.
But Boston, the team with the NBA's top record at 39-16, offers a chance to compete for a championship and a $3.23 million disabled player exception the league granted them due to Danilo Gallinari's ACL tear.
After acquiring Mike Muscala at the trade deadline and fortifying their depth at center with a low-cost move for a floor-spacing five, the top need for the Celtics', who kept Payton Pritchard, is to add another wing who can at least help them manage minutes for the remainder of the regular season.
That became even more important after Jaylen Brown suffered a facial fracture during Wednesday's 106-99 win over the Sixers, an injury expected to sideline him through the All-Star break.
Here are some of the wing players Boston might be able to add from the buyout market.
Danny Green
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The Memphis Grizzlies traded Danny Green to the Houston Rockets on deadline day in a move that helped his now-former team acquire Luke Kennard from the Los Angeles Clippers.
At 13-42, the Rockets have the worst record in the NBA, meaning there's a distinct possibility Green gets bought out of his expiring $10 million contract.
The three-time NBA champion recently returned from an ACL injury, appearing in three games for the Grizzlies. While the sample size is small, he knocked down 37.5 percent of the 2.7 threes he hoisted, a reflection of his ability to provide a layer of depth as a 3&D wing.
Will Barton
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According to Keith Smith of Celtics Blog, Boston and Will Barton are showing mutual interest in each other.
As explored at the time of that reporting, the former star at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire has seen his playing time diminish as the campaign has progressed.
Barton is producing 7.7 points per game this season and knocking down 38 percent of the 3.4 threes he's hoisting. He's also grabbing 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
Getting back to what he does best, putting the ball in the bucket, Barton's reliable on catch-and-shoot opportunities, making over 38 percent of them every season since 2017-18. He also can effectively create his own shot.
Plus, Barton's six-foot-six with a considerable wingspan. It's helped him swipe nearly a steal per game from 2020-2022.
Now in his 11th season, Barton's a career 11.4 point-per-game scorer, shooting 37.3 percent from beyond the arc on 4.9 attempts per contest since 2020.
Garrison Mathews
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Another option that got dealt at the trade deadline is Garrison Mathews, who went to the Atlanta Hawks in a deal ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski termed a "cost-cutting move" for his new team.
The career 36.6 percent three-point shooter on 4.1 attempts was cited here as a potential option the Celtics could fit into their $5.9 million traded player exception.
Mathews is having a down year, averaging 4.8 points and shooting 34.2 percent on 3.4 shots from beyond the arc. But he produced ten points per game and capitalized on 36 percent of the 5.9 threes he launched in 2021-22.
Hamidou Diallo
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Another candidate cited as a potential option for Boston to trade for at the deadline was Hamidou Diallo.
The former Kentucky Wildcat is a below-30 percent career three-point shooter on 1.1 attempts. However, he's also an explosive, energetic wing, contributing 8.3 points per contest, and he scored in double figures the four seasons before it.
Diallo also ranks in the top ten in deflections per 36 minutes among players who have suited up in at least 30 games this season, per NBA.com.
Further Reading
Celtics Add Shooting, Center Depth in Trade for Mike Muscala
The Top 5 Plays from Wednesday's Celtics-Sixers Game
The Latest on Jaylen Brown's Facial Fracture and How Long He Might Be Out
