Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Top Celtics Buyout Option Set to Reach Free Agency
At 42-17 and armed with a $3.23 million disabled player exception the league granted them due to Danilo Gallinari's ACL tear, the Celtics are as attractive an option as any for free agents on the buyout market.
In a recent appearance on WEEI's The Greg Hill Show, team owner Wyc Grousbeck stated, "we’re not saving roster spots for a rainy day. We just gotta find the right fit."
A day after Boston acquired Mike Muscala at the trade deadline, Celtics' president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, conveyed the following about what the team equipped with the deepest roster in the NBA is looking for as it aims to round out the team with 23 games now left in the regular season.
"The other thing that is kind of the hard part about this team is, if we were going to make a move to bring in a person that was going to play a ton of minutes, you almost have to subtract somebody else that plays a ton of minutes," expressed Stevens. "Our team has a good way about itself. I think we’ve got good depth. I think we’ve got thirteen players that can play and impact each other in a really good way. But we also have a bunch of guys that don’t need to do it every night. And so that ability to play, but not have to need to play is a big deal. And I think that’s what we need to have as a team. It’s not about an individual; this is about a goal."
Not every player who reaches the buyout market will buy into a role like this. Boston had interest in signing Danny Green, but he chose the Cleveland Cavaliers, who can offer more consistent minutes. Terrence Ross was another candidate who made sense to join the pursuit of raising banner 18 to the TD Garden rafters, but he opted to follow Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns.
But perhaps the Celtics' search for the final puzzle piece ends with Will Barton taking his talents to Boston. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the veteran scorer has finalized a buyout with his now-former club, the Washington Wizards.
Barton was inactive for Washington's last four games, and he's played only five times since Jan. 7.
Per Keith Smith of Celtics Blog, Boston and Barton have reportedly expressed mutual interest in partnering. And with him getting bought out before Mar. 1, the former Memphis Tiger is playoff eligible.
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Barton, who starred at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, 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.
Not only can Barton address the Celtics' need for another wing, one who can help pace Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown through the rest of the regular season, but he also fits alongside them.
Barton's a reliable kick-out option, making over 38 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes every season since 2017-18. He also can effectively create his own shot.
Now in his 11th season, Barton's shooting 37.3 percent from beyond the arc on 4.9 attempts per contest since 2020, and he's a career 11.4 point-per-game scorer.
Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Plus, Barton's six-foot-six with a considerable wingspan. It's helped him swipe nearly a steal per game from 2020-2022.
While Barton is likely Boston's best option on the buyout market, here are some of the other potential candidates who make sense for the Celtics.
Further Reading
Jayson Tatum Earns NBA All-Star Game MVP in a Historical Performance: 'It Means the World'
Jayson Tatum Unveils Jordan Tatum 1's
Here's How Wyc Grousbeck Handled Latest Rumors of Celtics Trading Jaylen Brown for Kevin Durant
Wyc Grousbeck Expects Celtics to Make Another Move: 'We’re Not Saving Roster Spots for a Rainy Day'
Joe Mazzulla Opens Up About Celtics Naming Him Head Coach: 'a Dream Come True'
