NBA Free Agency 2011: Tyson Chandler and 10 Free Agents the Boston Celtics Need

The NBA offseason is upon us. That means guys like Tyson Chandler, Jamal Crawford and Glen Davis are heading for some bigger paychecks and possibly some new teams.

One team that needs to pursue a few players this offseason is the Boston Celtics. They simply weren't deep enough and didn't have a good enough center to beat the Miami Heat in this year's playoffs.

They are also running out of time to be considered championship contenders. Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett aren't getting any younger.

With that being said, here's a list of 10 players the Celtics should try to persuade to come to Boston for the 2011-12 NBA season.

10. Josh Howard

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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 25: Josh Howard #5 of the Washington Wizards drives against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on February 25, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using th

This may seem like a bit of a gamble, but hear me out.

Howard can play small forward, power forward and maybe even some shooting guard.

For a team without a solid backup at that position, Howard might be worth signing to a one-year deal.

It wasn’t too long ago when he was a very valuable piece of a good Dallas Mavericks team.

And, if anyone can keep Howard’s off-court antics in check, it’s Doc Rivers. Having Kevin Garnett in the locker room helps too.

9. Delonte West

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MIAMI, FL - MAY 01: Delonte West #13 of the Boston Celtics shoots during game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2011 NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on May 1, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expre

West really played well in the playoffs.

Before the playoffs, there’s no way I would have had him anywhere near this list.

But, he finally proved he could make a shot and capably run the offense in the absence of Rajon Rondo. As far as backup point guards go, the Celtics could do a lot worse than Delonte West.

8. Chuck Hayes

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 20: Chuck Hayes #44 of the Houston Rockets dunks the ball during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on December 20, 2010 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, b

Hayes is only 6’6” tall, but he plays a mean center.

If the Celtics signed him, they could use him to relieve Kevin Garnett at power forward and Jermaine O’Neal at center.

Or, more likely, he would start at center, allowing O’Neal to come off the bench.

Either way, getting a guy who averages 8.1 rebounds per game is always a good idea.

7. DeShawn Stevenson

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MIAMI, FL - JUNE 12: DeShawn Stevenson #92 of the Dallas Mavericks attempts a shot against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on June 12, 2011 in Miami, Florida. The Mavericks won 105-95. NOTE TO USER: User expre

Stevenson had a big impact in the Finals this year for the Mavericks.

He showed he can defend anyone in this league for six to eight-minute stretches.

And, he can knock down occasional threes. He’d be a valuable asset for the Celtics bench.

6. J.R. Smith

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DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: J.R. Smith #5 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOT

Smith is one of the most electric scorers in the league.

And, he tends to be most effective when he comes off the bench. Coming off the bench to give Ray Allen a break would make him a very valuable asset for the Celtics.

The Celtics second unit had a lot of trouble scoring points this season, and something needs to be done to address that. Adding Smith would be a huge step.

5. Kenyon Martin

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DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: Kenyon Martin #4 of the Denver Nuggets awaits a free throw against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. T

Martin is a shutdown defender in the paint.

That’s exactly what the Celtics have been missing since the Kendrick Perkins trade.

Martin, a wily veteran, would be a near-perfect fit for the veteran-laden Celtics locker room.

4. Nene Hilario

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 27: Nene Hilario #31 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket against Kendrick Perkins #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2011 at the Ford

Nene is a little younger and a little more athletic than Martin.

The 6’11” Brazilian would bring young legs to an old Celtics team.

He’s also a little bit more offense-oriented than Martin.

Scoring in the post is something the Celtics need a little bit of from their centers. Nenad Krstic won’t cut it down low.

3. Jamal Crawford

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ATLANTA, GA - MAY 06: Jamal Crawford #11 of the Atlanta Hawks against the Chicago Bulls in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Phillips Arena on May 6, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknow

Crawford is a pure scorer. And he’s been scoring for a long time now.

If he wants to win a ring before he retires, he needs to get out of Atlanta.

The Celtics are gearing up for one last shot at a title and could really use Crawford’s experience off the bench.

2. Glen Davis

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 24: Glen Davis #11 of the Boston Celtics controls a rebound against the New York Knicks in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Th

The Celtics’ second unit struggled a lot last season.

But, Davis was the leader and the bench player that was the most valuable.

He wants to sign somewhere where he can start. But, he might be best suited to be the Celtics’ sixth man for now.

After all, he can step into the starting lineup once Garnett retires.

1. Tyson Chandler

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MIAMI, FL - JUNE 12: Tyson Chandler #6 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates after the Mavricks won 105-95 against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on June 12, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

The one player on the free-agent market who would make the Celtics the favorites to win the Eastern Conference is Tyson Chandler.

Chandler’s length, athleticism and ferocious defense make him the best center on the market this offseason.

Assuming he doesn’t re-sign with Dallas, the Celtics should offer him whatever it takes to get him to put on a green uniform.