Struggling Young Players Boston Celtics Can Sign on the Cheap

With an aging roster and a closing (if not completely shut) championship window, the Boston Celtics need to use this upcoming offseason as a catalyst for what their short and long-term future is going to look like. 

The Celtics have over $73 million committed to its players next season, so there's going to be very little wiggle room for GM Danny Ainge to make any significant free agent signings.

That number could very well change depending on what the Celtics decide to do with veterans Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce (retirement? amnesty? trade?) this summer, but that all remains to be seen. 

While the odds of signing a star are very low, there are still several young and talented players available on the market that could realistically make their way to Beantown next season. 

The following five players didn't necessarily have the greatest years in 2012-13, but a change of scenery with one of the more well-managed and renowned franchises in the NBA could be just what the doctor ordered. 

A wise general manager knows how to get the most bang for their buck when it comes to dealing with free agent athletes. If handled correctly, these players can be signed on the cheap, and quite possibly exceed their monetary value with some strong and redeeming play next year. 

All statistics courtesy of ESPN, Yahoo! Sports and HoopsHype. 

Eric Maynor, PG, Restricted Free Agent

Age: 25

Current team: Portland Trail Blazers

2012-13 statistics: 64 games played, 15.0 minutes, 4.5 points, 37.7% from the field, 0.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.0 blocks, 1.2 turnovers, 9.36 PER

2012-13 salary: $2,338,720

If Rajon Rondo's ACL injury proved anything this past season, it's that this Celtics team lacks serious depth at the point guard position. 

Avery Bradley and Jason "The Jet" Terry both saw time running the point, but neither player is/should be considered a true point guard. The Celtics need more insurance at the position in case (knock on wood) any future injuries were to befell their star floor general once again.

While Eric Maynor of the Portland Trail Blazers is a restricted free agent, reports are suggesting that Portland could allow Maynor to become an unrestricted free agent in order to preserve what little cap space they have.

Maynor is considered to be one of the more promising backup point guards in the league today, although his numbers won't necessarily blow anyone away. In his first two seasons in the NBA, Maynor would finish in the top 10 in assist-to-turnover ratio. His offensive game hasn't seen much growth over the years, but his prolific ball-handling and poise as a passer would be perfect for the Celtics second unit. 

His potential is through the roof, and playing in a structured environment with savvy veterans and an elite head coach in Doc Rivers could very well help Maynor tap into said potential. 

Anthony Morrow, SG, Unrestricted Free Agent

Age: 27

Current team: Dallas Mavericks

2012-13 statistics: 41 games played, 9.3 minutes, 4.0 points, 37.2% from three-point range, 0.7 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.0 blocks, 0.2 turnovers, 12.09 PER

2012-13 salary: $4,000,000

Just hours before this years NBA trade deadline, Anthony Morrow was dealt from the Atlanta Hawks to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Dahntay Jones. 

Even as a proven sharpshooter with terrific range, Morrow failed to see much playing time for the Mavericks, sitting behind O.J. Mayo and Vince Carter in the rotation. 

The Celtics were 15th in the NBA in three-point shooting percentage this past season at 35.8 percent. However, they only made 6.1 shots from behind the arc per game, which ranked 24th in the league. 

Morrow doesn't offer much outside of his shooting, but his ability to shoot the basketball at a high rate can be matched by very few players. His career 42.4 percent three-point shooting percentage is tied for 10th all-time in league history. 

Ronnie Brewer, SG, Unrestricted Free Agent

Age: 28

Current team: Oklahoma City Thunder

2012-13 statistics: 60 games played, 14.2 minutes, 3.0 points, 35% from the field, 2.3 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.1 blocks, 0.3 turnovers, 10.02 PER

2012-13 salary: $1,069,509

After playing his first four seasons in the league with the Utah Jazz, Ronnie Brewer has failed to find a permanent home with an NBA franchise, having played for five different teams since 2009. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Brewer from the New York Knicks prior to the trade deadline, but rarely used him. In 14 games for the Thunder, Brewer would score just 13 points. 

His offensive game is very limited, but Brewer is an extremely talented perimeter defender who can step up in key defensive situations. 

The Boston Celtics have a known reputation for being a tremendous defensive team (sixth in defensive efficiency at 100.4), so signing Brewer would certainly make for a nice addition in that respect.

DeJuan Blair, C, Unrestricted Free Agent

Age: 24

Current team: San Antonio Spurs

2012-13 statistics: 61 games played, 14.0 minutes, 5.4 points, 52.4% from the field, 3.8 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.2 blocks, 0.8 turnovers, 14.66 PER

2012-13 salary: $1,054,000

DeJuan Blair seemingly got lost in the shuffle of the San Antonio Spurs massive rotation this past season.

With the emergence of Tiago Splitter and more minutes being given to Matt Bonner and Boris Diaw in the frontcourt, there wasn't really a need for Blair to see much action. 

Blair averaged career-lows in minutes, points, rebounds and assists in his fourth season with the Spurs. It wouldn't shock anyone in San Antonio to see him leave in free agency, as he was the topic of numerous trade rumors throughout the first half of the season. 

Even as an undersized center (6'7"), Blair can still bring some value with his rebounding to the Boston Celtics, who only averaged 39.3 rebounds per game (second-worst in the NBA) this past season. Per 36 minutes, Blair is averaging a career 11.1 rebounds per game. 

Greg Oden, C, Unrestricted Free Agent

Age: 25

Current team: N/A

2012-13 statistics: N/A

2012-13 salary: N/A

The sad story of former No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden has been told several times.

He hasn't played a single game since the 2009-10 season. Since being drafted back in 2007, Oden has played the equivalent of one full NBA season (82 games). He's had numerous surgeries on both of his knees, keeping him out of action for the past few years.

With all of that being said, if he is in fact healthy and can prove that his knees are even remotely reliable, the Celtics should jump at the opportunity to sign him. 

It's the perfect low-risk, high-reward situation.

Oden isn't going to command a heck of a lot of money on the open market, because considering his history with injuries, no team would have the willpower to commit to him in that way.

He just needs an opportunity to prove himself. 

You'd be hard pressed to find a better redemption story in the NBA than if Oden were to return to action and become a contributing piece to a winning basketball team like the Celtics.