Boston Celtics: Predicting Which Free Agents Will Be Back Next Season

July 1, the NBA's day of reckoning for free agency, is nearly upon us.

The Celtics, with just four players (Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley and JaJuan Johnson) currently in possession of guaranteed contracts for next season, have a ton of work to do in preparation for this date, not just in terms of what players from other teams they'll be looking for, but in terms of their own roster as well.

There are a host of free agents potentially coming off Boston's books this summer from the big names (Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen) to the smaller (Marquis Daniels, Keyon Dooling).

Here's a look at whom the C's may look to retain come next month as they attempt to reload for the 2012-2013 season.

1. Mickael Pietrus

Pietrus, the 30-year-old swingman who came to the Celtics early in the 2011 season on a one-year deal, had arthroscopic knee surgery last week for an injury that clearly affected his perimeter shooting in the playoffs. A career 36-percent shooter from downtown, Pietrus tumbled to just 22 percent from the arc during the postseason.

All year long, though, and in particular during the playoffs, Pietrus showed that his ability to play defense and bring energy on that end of the floor makes him a valuable commodity, even when his shot isn't falling.

According to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald, Pietrus wants to come back to Boston next season. He loves the Celtics and had dreamed about playing for them, telling the Boston Herald, "'They work hard, play hard and every day is about history. That's what I was born for.'"

Given the mutual respect that exists between him, coach Doc Rivers and the C's organization, along with the fact that he won't necessarily cost too much, Pietrus looks like a lock to be re-signed.

2. Keyon Dooling

This is a bit of a tough one, as bringing Dooling back to spell Rondo for another season might stunt the development of E'Twaun Moore, last year's second-round pick.

Though the C's probably want to see what they have in Moore, Dooling's play and role in the locker room this past season make him a safe bet to be re-signed.

Known by his teammates as "The Preacher," Dooling brought a truckload of energy, spirit and will to the Celtics' bench. He was a friend and somewhat of a mentor to Rondo, who has the reputation of being a bit prickly, at one point calling Rondo "the smartest player in our game." And he can shoot and defend when he's called on.

Dooling took Boston's Game 7 loss to Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals very hard, weeping in the aftermath. He spoke of the team "'hearts of champions,'" even though they didn't quite make it. He was the consummate teammate.

Dooling made $2.3 million in 2012, so he may need to take a bit of a pay cut to come back to Boston. If he agrees to that, he should be back.

3. Jeff Green

Green hasn't played in a year, is coming off heart surgery and didn't exactly light the world on fire during his three months with the Celtics in 2011.

But the team has to do everything it can to bring him back into the fold next year, even after rescinding its qualifying offer to him back in December. 

Green is 26 years old, a former lottery pick (fifth overall in 2007) and has proven he can play at a high level (16.5 points, 6.7 boards and 39 percent three-point shooting for Oklahoma in 2009). If the Celtics can get that kind of production out of him going forward, it will ease the burden of transitioning away from Paul Pierce in the next couple of seasons.

Green's agent, David Falk, told SI.com's Sam Amick that he's had "exploratory discussions with '12-14 teams'" already about Green. And given the pickings for wing players in this year's free-agent market (Grant Hill, Gerald Wallace, Ryan Anderson), he looks like an extremely appealing option.

The Celtics own Green's Bird rights, allowing them the ability to go over the salary cap to bring him back to Boston. Look for them to do just that.

4. Brandon Bass

Bass's value to the Celtics this season was immense, perhaps higher than anyone's on the team after Garnett and Rondo.

The Celts stole Bass from Orlando for the headache that is Glen Davis and Von Wafer. He made just $4.25 million this year and responded with career highs in minutes, scoring and rebounding. He was a more-than-solid defender, proved to be absolute money from mid-range with his jumper and at times during the playoffs was the only constant on offense.

Last week, he opted out of his player option for the same salary next season in favor of unrestricted free agency. This was a no-brainer for Bass, especially given his play in 2012. 

Still, there have been several indications that his goal is to sign a long-term deal with the Celts.

After the C's lost Game 7 in Miami, he said, "'I would love to be back here [...]. For any player, this is the organization you want to play for.'"

Bass is only 27, and with the C's looking to gradually get younger without blowing up the team, this makes him an even more appealing option. He proved this year that he is a perfect fit, is willing to do whatever is asked of him without a peep and can thrive with Rondo finding him wide-open looks from the floor.

Bass is a must-have for the the Celts going forward.

5. Kevin Garnett

The heart and soul of the Celtics, KG found himself around the All-Star break and contributed as much as anyone to carrying the C's to within one win of their third finals appearance in five years.

According to KG's friend and former Celtic Kendrick Perkins, the future Hall of Famer wants to return to the C's next year. Perk stated that he doesn't think Garnett would want to play for anyone but Rivers, not surprising given KG's fierce loyalty.

Now, with rumors afoot that the Celts are targeting Bulls center Omar Asik, the circumstances may change. Garnett thrived at center this year but may well want to move back to his traditional spot at the 4. Bringing in a true center like Asik (or, heck, maybe Roy Hibbert?) might make the prospect of returning even more enticing to KG.

One thing for sure about this potential scenario is that the C's must provide enough support to Garnett and Pierce so that the two of them aren't counted on quite as much as they were this year. Their age and odometers practically demand it.

Green and Bass are important pieces to retain. There will be other names out there that the Celts must look at. And whether or not they keep both of their first-round draft picks or use one or both to trade up or for another player bears watching.

KG, though, is the most important piece to this puzzle. The Celtics need to bring him back.