Boston Celtics Free Agent Primer 2009

Long defensive-minded big

The target: Chris Andersen

The Birdman was the best bargain pickup last year and will certainly command a much higher price tag this time around. Andersen was tremendous for Denver, averaging a remarkable 2.5 blocks in just over 20 minutes of play.

The Celtics have had interest in the past, as recent as last season, and Andersen would certainly fill a void that this team lacked after Garnett went down with an injury. Denver would love to keep him and he appears to love it there, so prying him away might be difficult.

The backup plan: Joe Smith

"Patience is the companion of wisdom." If the Celtics had just waited a few more days before signing Mikki Moore, Joe Smith would have been a Celtic and one can only wonder if that would have made a difference in the postseason.

Smith played reasonably well for the Cavaliers, but found himself out of the rotation against Orlando, and with the addition of Shaquille O'Neal, might find himself looking for a new employer.

Smith is a close friend of Garnett from their days in Minnesota, and would help out the team in a very similar way to P.J. Brown.

The long-shot: Rasheed Wallace

Wallace, via Ric Bucher's Twitter, does not want to come to Boston. He reportedly is only interested in Orlando and San Antonio. While it appears as if there is no chance of seeing Sheed in green, it isn't an impossibility.

Ainge pursued Wallace years ago while he was in Portland, and he certainly would help the team with his help-defense and perimeter shooting. He most likely wouldn't be willing to come off the bench and his cantankerous attitude might clash with the ubuntu, so perhaps we shouldn't even get our hopes up.

The darkhorse candidate: Robert Swift

Thank goodness for Seattle. Had the Sonics not selected Swift with the twelfth overall pick in 2004, he may have been a Celtic, and we would have never known Al Jefferson.

Injuries, inconsistency and general suckiness have left the the 7'0'' center without even a qualifying offer from big-man started Oklahoma City. However, if there is something beneath the tattoos and red hair, Clifford Ray would certainly be the guy to bring it out.

If all else fails: 1) Antonio McDyess, 2) Francisco Elson, 3) Aaron Gray (RFA)

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