NBA Free Agency 2012: 3 Moves Celtics Must Make to Keep Pace with Top Teams

The Boston Celtics were able to keep at least three of their “Big Four” together in Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. However, the Celtics still have a lot to do before they can say they have kept pace with the best teams in the NBA.

Ray Allen is off to Miami’s greener pastures, but the Celtics have inked veteran sixth man Jason Terry to replace him. Now, the Celtics need to add size and athleticism to balance out their veteran leadership.

Here are three moves the Celtics must make to stay near the top of the NBA.

1. Add a Center

Having Kevin Garnett play center worked incredibly well for the Boston Celtics during the last stretch of the regular season and the playoffs. However, it isn’t a long-term solution, especially for a player at his age.

He needs to be able to take a break from banging around in the paint in order to stay healthy. Having another center, even if he doesn’t start, could keep Garnett from having to do that all the time.

Fab Melo has incredible potential, but he isn’t ready yet to fill this role, and Jared Sullinger does have the necessary physical skills to fill this role.

An offensively-gifted center who can also play defense is tough to come by these days, but it isn’t impossible to find. Chris Kaman is still available and there are a number of other cheaper (though less talented) alternatives out there.

2. Add Another Bench Playmaker

Jason Terry has been one of the best bench players of the past decade. However, he won’t be enough to turn around Boston’s second unit, which has been abysmal.

Adding another player to help him is imperative, and it must be a wing player. Having another player who can at least spread the floor and throw in some points will help this team immensely.

It might be time to give Tracy McGrady, or someone in similar straits, a call.

3. Make the O.J. Mayo Deal Happen

Why is this separate from the previous slide, you ask? Because the Celtics need to add another bench player, but they need to add Mayo no matter what they do.

In Mayo, the Celtics would get a dynamic scorer who has proven that a bench role isn’t too much for is ego to handle. However, he’s also talented enough to easily start in situations when the Celtics are pressed and need him in that role.

He would take pressure off of Rajon Rondo and company to produce offense, and he seems to be the type of guy who wouldn’t cause problems, especially in this locker room.

Of all the Boston buzz you’ve heard, this makes the most sense and should happen immediately if the Celtics want to stay at the top of the NBA.