The 2022 NBA Trade Deadline came and went, but most teams will not stand pat. Some will be cutting some players, while some will make additions to their team through the players which were cut. One such team that will need to make additions is the Boston Celtics. The C's traded their way into Derrick White and Daniel Theis but lost seven players in the process. With their roster being limited to just ten guys at the moment, here is our list for three top buyout candidates for Celtics after the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline, ranked.
Celtics Buyout Candidates
3. Robin Lopez
The Celtics generally have an issue with their frontcourt rotation. The squad from Massachusetts currently has Theis, Al Horford, and Robert Williams as real big man options. They did not seek a true center in the trade market, opting to go for a familiar face in Theis. Still, they need to add to this collection of players, and right now, when it comes to big men, Robin Lopez is the best option available.
Of course, he is not available right now, but with the situation in Orlando, he should be bought out as he really does not fit into what the Magic are doing. When both Mo Bamba and Wendell Carter Jr are healthy, Lopez usually rides the bench. That would not be an issue for Lopez if the Magic were a contender, but since they remain on the bottom of the East standings, the best way for both sides would be to get Lopez onto the open market. He is not exactly a needle-mover for anyone, but he is a solid, veteran option for a squad that badly needs one.
Lopez is a gritty defender that does not add much to offense, albeit he had some moments while a part of the Chicago Bulls a couple of years back when he extended his range to the three-point line. Still, he is a reliable defensive option that can contribute right away and help the Celtics in the battle for the Eastern Conference Playoffs. He is also a great chemistry guy and should be able to help Williams, also a gritty defensive center, to be even better in his craft. Should he become available, the C's should be the first team that comes to his door.
2. Gary Harris
Staying in Orlando for the next player, Harris could be a great option for many teams, should he be bought out. Obviously, he is not in the immediate plans for the Magic, and with only this season remaining on his deal, the player and his current team might be engaging in buyout talks. Harris was widely expected to be traded, but due to the Magic most likely not being able to find a trade partner which would give them anything for the veteran guard, he remained on the roster when the clock hit 3 PM EST on Thursday.
That does not mean that the Magic will keep him there, as he has been largely inconsequential since arriving in the squad in 2021 in the Aaron Gordon deal. He has had somewhat of a bounceback season, but it is nowhere close to Gary Harris that was lighting up opponents a few years back in the Denver Nuggets. He can still be useful, but if he plays for the right team and in the right role. With the Celtics having major gaps at the guard positions as well, they might be the first team on the list for Harris.
Gary Harris brings a ton of shooting and defense, or at least he did that in the Nuggets stint he had. Obviously, playing for an up-and-coming contender is different than playing for the lowly Magic, so it is rough to judge his play in the past season and a half. He has been shooting a cool 38.8% on threes this year, which is promising, and he should be able to join Derrick White and Marcus Smart in a healthy backcourt rotation.
1. Goran Dragic
Robin Lopez is solid, Gary Harris is good, but Goran Dragic is a fantastic fit for the Boston Celtics. With the squad in dire need of a floor general, the best possible option was and still is Dragic. The Slovenian guard has played just five games for the Raptors this season and a buyout is almost guaranteed at this point. His comments on the Raptors before the season cost him a place in the rotation and everyone expected a quick trade out of Canada. That did not really materialize and with the trade deadline passing, he should be on the buyout block in a few days.
When he does become available, the Celtics need to pounce and they need to do it quick, because there will be some fierce competition. Many teams are ready to welcome the former Heat guard into their team. One of them, interestingly enough, is the Heat and the other one, reportedly, is the Dallas Mavericks, both in better positions than the Celtics when it comes to standings. Thus, they need to be in there first and offer Dragic the best possible package to join them.
With Smart and Derrick White in the backcourt, the Celtics will have playmaking issues. With the steady hand of Dragic running the offense, the Celtics will be better off and should eliminate that issue for their ensuing run to the postseason. It will be difficult since teams in better positions are vying for the experienced guard, but the Celtics must be in there to get their man into Boston.
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