Celtics' Early 2024 Free Agent Targets

The Boston Celtics probably won't do much roster reshuffling during the upcoming NBA offseason.

Dominate the way they have during this campaign, and personnel decisions get pretty simple: It ain't broke, so don't try to fix it.

It's possible, though, they could wind up with some holes to fill during free agency. This group is already colossally expensive, so any sizable contract offers for Luke Kornet or Xavier Tillman could be enough to lure them out of town.

If Boston needs to go bargain-hunting to fill out its bench, the following three players are worth a look.

Alec Burks, New York Knicks (Unrestricted)

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 31: Alec Burks #18 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 31, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

Wing depth is typically hard to find for cheap. Two-way wings are almost impossible to get at a clearance price.

Alec Burks might be an exception, though.

His 33-year-old birthday is coming this summer, so anyone on anything other than a win-right-now schedule won't be interested. Even a lot of those teams might be out on him given how poorly things have gone for him since his deadline deal to New York (30.7/30.1/72.7 shooting slash over 23 contests).

He is obviously better than this, though. He is a career 38.3 percent three-point shooter, and he's had a 40-plus percent splash rate in three of the past four seasons. Throw in serviceable defense and a pinch of shot-creation, and he has plenty to offer in a support role.

Andre Drummond, Chicago Bulls (Unrestricted)

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ORLANDO, FLORIDA - APRIL 07: Andre Drummond #3 of the Chicago Bulls reacts against the Orlando Magic during the third quarter at Kia Center on April 07, 2024 in Orlando, 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 Rich Storry/Getty Images)

With Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford in the same frontcourt, interior depth may always be a need as long as both are in Boston.

And if free agency lures away one (or both) of Kornet and Tillman, that need could reach red-alert status.

If Boston is in the market for a big, Andre Drummond should be on the short list. While he is a limited player away from the basket, he is hyper-active around it. He flirted with a double-double average (9.0 rebounds and 8.4 points) while getting just 17.1 minutes per game this season.

With his 31st birthday on the horizon and precious little postseason success behind him, he might be open to ring-chasing on a minimum contract.

Dennis Smith Jr., Brooklyn Nets (Unrestricted)

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 31: Dennis Smith Jr. #4 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center on March 31, 2024 in New York City. 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. Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 116-104. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

When the Celtics took a cheap flier on Jaden Springer at the deadline, it was a clever way to squeeze bit more youth and upside on their roster.

It was also perhaps a reflection of the fact Boston's point-of-attack defensive options aren't great once you get past starters Jrue Holiday and Derrick White. Payton Pritchard is plucky defensively, but as a 6'1", 195-pounder with less than elite athleticism, he'll never be a shutdown stopper.

If the Celtics want a player of that ilk—someone more polished than Springer and with better physical tools than Pritchard—then they have to give Dennis Smith Jr. a look. He is active and aggressive on the defensive end, and while he doesn't add much as a scorer, he does a decent job running offense (3.6 assists against 1.2 turnovers).

He only found minimum money on the open market last summer, and considering that virtually all of his categories were down this season, that could easily be his going rate again.