Celtics' 2024 Free-Agent Big Board, Top Players to Target

Whenever the Boston Celtics actually enter the 2024 NBA offseason, they may not be looking for much.

They've not only reached the Eastern Conference finals for the fourth time in five years, they're only seven victories away from securing the franchise's first title since 2008.

Even subtle tweaks—which are about all this pricey payroll would allow—may not move the needle much, as this fully loaded rotation is awfully tough to track. And it's not as is free agency figures to open many (if any) spots, since the only Shamrocks of note ticketed for the open market are backup big men Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman Sr.

All of that said, every roster has a chance to be upgraded, and this is no exception. There are a few position groups that could be strengthened, and the following three players are candidates to do just that on contracts the Celtics could actually fit into their budget.

3. Jae Crowder, Milwaukee Bucks

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In the modern NBA, there is no such thing as a roster with too many wings. Even if there was, the Celtics wouldn't be in danger of crossing that threshold. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are certified stars, but the only traditional wing backing them up is sharpshooter Sam Hauser.

It's possible, then, that a wing-sized player with strength and at least a semi-reliable outside shot could catch the attention of this front office. Especially if said player arrived with as much big-stage experience as Jae Crowder, a 33-year-old with 115 playoff appearances under his belt.

Now, it's worth noting that Crowder, who spent two-plus seasons in Boston earlier in his career, is coming off two of the quieter campaigns he's ever authored. He only played 18 games in 2022-23, as his trade request away from the Phoenix Suns wasn't granted for months, and while he played 50 games this season, his role wasn't huge (23.1 minutes, second-fewest since 2014-15) and effectively evaporated in the playoffs (zero minutes over Milwaukee's final two tilts).

That should slot him into free agency's clearance section, but it maybe won't convince Boston to stay away. If the Celtics see enough life left in his outside shot (37 percent since the start of 2020-21), then they might value his defense, veteran savvy and ability to fill a low-maintenance offensive role.

2. Alec Burks, New York Knicks

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A team with as much top-end talent and depth as Boston possesses won't have many needs. It's possible, though, the Celtics could seek out a pinch more shooting and shot-creation with their second team.

Now, this wouldn't be a priority pursuit, given how much Boston has gotten out of both Hauser and Payton Pritchard. Still, those two and Al Horford are sort of it when it comes to second-unit scoring threats.

Alec Burks would, if nothing else, help widen the bench unit's offensive menu.

The 32-year-old leans on his outside shot more than ever before (career-high 58 percent three-point attempt rate, per Basketball-Reference), but that isn't a giant worry for a club with as many table-setters as the Celtics. And when catching and launching isn't an option, he still offers a little off-the-dribble verve and a dash of distribution.

1. Justin Holiday, Denver Nuggets

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If the Celtics wanted to deepen their wing collection, they'd surely look for someone offering decent length, dependable shooting and a not insignificant dose of defensive versatility.

Oh yeah, and if that player happened to be the sibling of one of the Celtics' starters, that'd probably be even better.

Justin Holiday, older brother of Jrue, offers the kind of three-and-D blend sure to interest plenty of win-now shoppers. He is not only comfortable playing a support role alongside stars, he is savvy enough to leverage their gravitational pull on defenders into better offensive efficiency. To that end, his first go-round in Denver featured his best field-goal percentage (45.4) and second-best three-point splash rate (40.4)—in his age-34 season.

His offensive bag isn't deep enough to make him a priority target for just about anyone, but a cost-conscious club like the capped-out Celtics could be an exception.