Celtics' Complete Free Agency Preview and Predictions Before 2024 NBA Draft
While the Boston Celtics clear room for their NBA-record 18th championship banner, the front office begins its quest for No. 19.
A lot of the leg work is already done, at least, and several key contributors, like Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis, have already settled their futures with contract extensions. Boston has a bit more to do on that front, though, and then work around the margins to upgrade or retain their supporting cast.
While there aren't major tasks on the free-agency to-do list, there are some items that need attention. After previewing Boston's free agent group, we'll predict the final outcome for two of its most prominent members.
Free Agents
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Officially, Boston's free agent group runs seven players deep. Only three of them, though, have the uncluttered situation of unrestricted free agency: Xavier Tillman, Luke Kornet and Svi Mykhailiuk.
Oshae Brissett holds a $2.5 million player option. It feels like that could go either way. The case could be the same with Neemias Queta and his $2.2 million team option. Two-way contract player J.D. Davison is a restricted free agent.
There has already been movement with the seventh free agent, Sam Hauser. The Celtics reportedly declined his $1.6 million team option, per Spotrac's Keith Smith, in order to "make Hauser a restricted free agent and look to work out a longer deal."
Finally, while this isn't technically a part of this free agency, both Jayson Tatum and Derrick White are eligible for extensions and, per longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein, likely to receive them. Stein likened the inevitability of a max extension for Tatum to "a layup in an empty gym" and labeled White "as a near-certain recipient of a contract extension."
Prediction: Celtics Keep One Backup Big, but Not Both
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The Celtics will work to solidify their depth at center this summer. In fact, aside from the extensions for White and Tatum, that could be their top priority.
Porziņģis can never seem to shake the injury bug, and Al Horford celebrated his 38th birthday just ahead of the Finals. This is a talented two-player mix, but it feels among the most fragile you'll find.
That should Boston some urgency to retain at least one of its backup bigs, Kornet and Tillman. The budget should allow for one to be re-signed, but two could be tricky, especially if either generates any kind of interest on the open market.
If the Celtics had their choice, they might covet Tillman's mobility and defensive versatility over Kornet's length and interior activity. This could wind up being a case of the market making that choice for them, though, with Boston opting to keep whichever big man is cheapest.
Prediction: Celtics Sign Sam Hauser to Multi-Year Deal
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As tempting as it would have been—particularly given the cost of this roster—to have Hauser three-bombing away on a sub-$2-million salary next season, that would have set the sharpshooter up for unrestricted free agency next summer. The Celtics could have tried like heck to keep him, but they wouldn't have had any say if he wanted to head elsewhere.
Declining the option and turning his free agency into the restricted variety grants Boston the right of first refusal. Regardless what kind of deal he finds this summer, the Celtics will have the option to match. That's why they turned down the option despite the very real chance they'll be paying him significantly more next season.
A few shooting-needy teams could give him a look this summer. He has completed three NBA seasons so far and is yet to close a campaign with worse than a 41 percent perimeter connection rate. His team defense is getting sturdier, and he isn't totally cooked if he gets run off the three-point line. He might fetch a decent offer.
As long as the pay rate lands in a reasonable place, though, Boston won't take long to match it. He is a snug fit in this system and an easy way to balance the floor for the stars. He is almost certainly going nowhere.
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