Former Celtics Forward Signs with the Heat

The Miami Heat recently made a flurry of moves, including signing former Los Angeles Laker and potential Boston Celtics target Cole Swider.

The six-foot-nine sharpshooter from Rhode Island offers intriguing upside and could develop into a rotation player in an organization as good as any at maximizing the talent on their roster.

Miami also added former Celtics wing Justin Champagnie. The former Pittsburgh Panther joined Boston late in the 2022-23 campaign, appearing in two games, averaging 2.5 points, two rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 11.5 minutes per contest.

While the Brooklyn native was productive on the glass at Summer League, grabbing 8.3 rebounds per game, he connected on only 30.4 percent of his 5.8 attempts from beyond the arc and didn't make the impact one would expect or at least want to see from someone who's been in the NBA for two years.

The Celtics waived Champagnie just before the deadline on Aug. 1 to do so before $50,000 of his non-guaranteed $1.9 million contract would've converted to money owed to him.

That move gives Boston two openings for full-time roster spots. The C's, $4.2 million below the second apron, per Spotrac, must fill at least one.

The Celtics could do so by bringing back Blake Griffin, whose teammates enjoyed having him in Boston last season. And while acquiring Kristaps Porzingis moves, most likely, Al Horford to the bench, meaning the 16 starts available to Griffin in 2022-23 probably aren't available anymore, he was productive in that role.

Either way, the Celtics benefitted from having the six-time All-Star in the locker room and getting his perspective on what was unfolding on the court. Those will remain his primary contributions if he returns for a second stint in Boston.

Here's a look at other intriguing options for the Celtics in free agency.

Further Reading

New Details Emerge About Celtics Regular-Season Schedule

Latvian Basketball Association Denies Report on Kristaps Porzingis’ Foot Injury

Examining How Celtics' Starting Lineup Might Shapeshift This Season

Weighing Whether Celtics Should Sign Kelly Oubre

Wyc Grousbeck Reacts to Possibility of Selling Boston Celtics

Dwyane Wade Discusses Jayson Tatum's Next Step, Him and Jaylen Brown's Challenge, Heat Culture, Pat Riley, Damian Lillard, and Life After Basketball

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

Sam Cassell Discusses What Brought Him Back to Boston and What He'll Bring to the Celtics

Marcus Smart Reflects on His Time with Celtics: 'I Left Everything I Had'