The Boston Celtics still have an open roster spot, and one way to fill it would be on the always-interesting NBA buyout market.
Celtics President of Basketball Ops Brad Stevens had himself a busy trade deadline, adding big man Xavier Tillman on Wednesday, then swinging two smaller deals at the 11th hour. But with an open spot, it’s always possible that the ever-aggressive Stevens still isn’t done.
MORE: Celtics add frontcourt depth ahead of trade deadline
Unfortunately for Stevens, rules dictate that the Celtics cannot sign any buyout players that made more than $12.4 million on their previous deal (h/t Marc D’Amico). So, they’re out on Kyle Lowry, Spencer Dinwiddie, Joe Harris, and Marcus Morris. But there are still some potentially solid additions that fit under that number.
Here’s a quick look at six players the Celtics could target on the buyout market, along with any other team with similar restrictions…
Victor Oladipo
Victor Oladipo will be one of the better players available in the NBA buyout market. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The 31-year-old Oladipo isn’t the same player he once was, but he could still be capable of providing an offensive spark off the bench. In 26.3 minutes per game for the Heat this season, Oladipo is averaging 10.7 points on just 39.7 percent shooting. He’s also making things happen on the defensive end, though, with 1.4 steals per game.
Boston doesn’t exactly need another guard to eat up 20-plus minutes, but Oladipo would have a chance to be a super-sub kind of bench scorer for a new team.
Danilo Gallinari
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 20: Danilo Gallinari #12 of the Detroit Pistons plays against Milwaukee Bucks at Little Caesars Arena on January 20, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
A later addition to the market, Gallinari is expected to be waived by the Pistons and begin his free-agent meetings on Friday. Could he be interested in a “reunion” of sorts with the Celtics, who never got to play Gallinari after he tore his ACL before last season?
Gallinari is shooting 54.5 percent on the season and averaging 8.7 points, despite just 15.7 minutes a game for Detroit. He would have a chance to (finally!) provide the Celtics with the wing scoring depth they’ve been seeking.
Danuel House Jr.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 03: Danuel House Jr. #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a lay up past Cam Thomas #24 of the Brooklyn Nets during the third quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on February 03, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
House averaged only 15 minutes per game for the Sixers, with only 3.4 points. But he is having one of his more productive shooting seasons at 44.8 percent. He can play wing for the Celtics, who have long been looking for extra bench scoring in that department. They could do worse than House on a minimal contract off the street.
Harry Giles III
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 12: Harry Giles III #14 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the net against Maccabi Ra’anana during an exhibition game at Barclays Center on October 12, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Giles made his return to the NBA court this season after playing the 2021-22 campaign in the G League and missing all of last season after suffering a torn ACL. He played 16 games for the Nets, but averaged only 5.1 minutes per game. He is, however, shooting a clean 50 percent and has managed to score 3.4 points and 1.6 rebounds in those 5.1 minutes. For the Celtics, he’d be little more than a reserve center around the end of the bench, but they could possibly use one of those.
Killian Hayes
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 12: Killian Hayes #7 of the Detroit Pistons drives around Fred VanVleet #5 of the Houston Rockets during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on January 12, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. Houston won the game 112-110. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Hayes is intriguing because he was the seventh overall pick in the draft and is still just 22 years old. He hasn’t come close to living up to that draft stock. But he hasn’t lost his size or wingspan. If he could just figure out how to shoot and score more efficiently, he could start to realize his potential. It would be interesting if Stevens saw Hayes as a guy to develop.
Robin Lopez
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – FEBRUARY 04: Robin Lopez #42 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots over Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz during the first half at Delta Center on February 04, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Lopez is expected to be released and become a free agent after being traded to the Kings on Thursday, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. It’s been two years since Lopez averaged double-digit minutes in a game. The 36-year-old is certainly an end-of-the-bench guy at this stage of his career. But perhaps he can be the new Blake Griffin.
