Celtics Rumors: Breaking Down Buzz on Greg Monroe, Kevin Love and More
Danny Ainge may not have been able to put together a package on draft day to help the Boston Celtics move up, but he knows that his team has another opportunity to improve during the free-agency signing period.
The Celtics surprised a lot of observers this year by earning a playoff spot, but they aren't close to contending for a championship at this point. If they are going to make a run in two or three years, they have to get better every offseason.
They may be able to take a moderate or big step with a couple of key free-agent signings. Boston appears to be in the mix for Detroit Pistons big man Greg Monroe, according to the New Orleans Advocate.
The Celtics are one of five teams that the 6'11", 253-pound Monroe will be considering. According to Darrell Williams' story, Monroe will also talk to the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers and Milwaukee Bucks.
Monroe wants to go to a team that can win, and he said he wants to be "the missing piece." The Celtics can use a lot of help on their front line and particularly in the pivot. Monroe is coming off a solid season in which he averaged 15.9 points per game and also pulled down 10.2 rebounds per night.
While Monroe is not a superstar, he is a solid contributor who could help the Celtics climb a bit higher in the standings.
Kevin Love has opted out of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and it's widely expected that he will return to Cleveland next season. However, it's not a guarantee, and if a team came at the 6'10", 260-pound Love with a very attractive offer, it might give the power forward something to think about seriously.
Veteran NBA writer Adrian Wojnarowski is perhaps the most plugged-in scribe covering the NBA, and he tweeted that the star forward could be willing to listen to the Celtics and Lakers.
"Cleveland remains the frontrunner to sign Love to a five-year, $100M-plus extension, but Love could be willing to hear out Celtics, Lakers.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 24, 2015"
While it's not likely that the Celtics would be able to woo him away from Cleveland, it is at least a possibility. The 26-year-old Love is averaging 18.7 ppg and 11.8 rpg through the first seven years of his career, and he could change the outlook for the Celtics dramatically.
Paul Millsap of the Atlanta Hawks doesn't have the same kind of profile as Love, but he has made two All-Star Games. Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe wrote that "there is some interest within the organization" when it comes to Millsap.
Millsap is a 30-year-old power forward who averaged 16.7 ppg and shot 51.8 percent from the floor in 2014-15. Millsap will go to the boards hard, but his 7.3 rebounds per night doesn't compare with Love's work on the glass.
Love may be a bit out of their reach, but Monroe and Millsap would be solid contributors who could help this team improve for a second consecutive season in the vulnerable Eastern Conference.
