Grading Celtics' Early Moves in NBA Free Agency

The Boston Celtics fell just two victories shy of capturing the NBA title this past season.

They have since spent the summer loading up for their next playoff run.

While they made their biggest splash in the trade market (acquiring Malcolm Brogdon), they have also made a trio of moves in free agency.

We'll focus on the latter transactions here by assigning a letter grade for each signing based on value and potential impact.

Adding Danilo Gallinari

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MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 26: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round at FTX Arena on April 26, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Danilo Gallinari didn't enter the offseason in free agency, but he arrived there upon being included in the Dejounte Murray deal and subsequently waived by the San Antonio Spurs.

The Shamrocks didn't leave him there for long and snatched him up with the taxpayer midlevel exception.

That's good value for Gallinari in a vacuum, and even more so in Boston. The Celtics had a glaring need for reliable shooters, and Gallo is a fire-baller (a career 38.2 percent shooter). He doesn't need to be wide open to shred the nets, and he has just enough off-the-dribble zest to slither around overzealous closeouts.

The 33-year-old (34 in August) might be working through the back nine of his career, but his combination of size (6'10") and sharpshooting should age well. He needs to be hidden a bit on defense, but Boston was smart to wager that it has enough stoppers around him to provide that protection.

Grade: B+

Keeping Luke Kornet

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 5: Luke Kornet #40 of the Boston Celtics looks on during Game Two of the 2022 NBA Finals on June 5, 2022 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Celtics apparently can't get enough of Luke Kornet.

They traded for him and Moe Wagner in a three-team deal in March 2021, waived him the following October and signed him in February. They just made their biggest commitment to the 7-footer yet, bringing him back on a two-year deal.

The cost is minimal, so it doesn't matter that the return on the investment will likely be the same. Kornet played just a dozen regular-season games for Boston after latching on in February, then handled mop-up duty in nine postseason affairs.

He probably isn't someone Boston wants to play, but if needed for spot minutes, he can handle it. He's a reliable rebounder and competent shooter from range (career 32.4 percent), which is all he needs to be for minimum money.

Grade: C+

Re-Signing Sam Hauser

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 16: Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics warms up before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on March 16, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Celtics couldn't find many minutes for Sam Hauser this past season, but they apparently saw enough to deem him worthy of a three-year pact.

Hauser's appeal is tied to his ability to space the floor as a 6'8" swingman. So far, so good with the shooting stroke (19-of-44, 43.2 percent), though the sample size is as small as they come.

If Boston summons serviceable defense out of him, though, he should have a fairly straightforward path to playing time.

The Celtics need more knockdown shooters, and if Hauser lives up to that label, he'll justify the cost and then some.

Grade: B-