NBA Free Agents 2012: Players Boston Celtics Could Target To Retool in 2012

The Boston Celtics are clearing out considerable cap space in before a loaded 2012 free-agent class.

Although the team has just under $30 million committed in salary for 2012-13 at this time, that number will undoubtedly increase once the lockout lifts and the Celtics fill out the roster.

However, it's likely that the club won't pursue any dramatic moves that would jeopardize the ability to reel in a sizable contributor during the summer of 2012.

With Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, the Celtics have enjoyed sustained success since forming the "big three" before the 2007-08 season, but 2012 will mark a transition to a different era of basketball in Boston.

Pierce and Rajon Rondo will continue to lead the charge, but it's very possible that they could be welcoming in some fresh faces to the fold.

10. Antawn Jamison, Power Forward

Jamison is anything but a long-term solution for the Celtics, but it's obvious that he can still certainly add value to a club.

The veteran forward will be coming off of a salary of over $15 million, and after spending his career with teams that haven't won at the highest level, it's possible he could be seeking to join a championship contender in the later stages of his career.

Even if the club decides to retain Kevin Garnett, Jamison could prove to be a valuable sixth man off the bench and serve as a mentor to younger players like JaJuan Johnson.

9. Michael Beasley, Small Forward

Let's ditch the negative stigma surrounding Beasley and consider how he fits from a basketball perspective.

A legitimate scorer on the wing, Beasley could very well bolster an offensive approach that has lacked a dynamic element in the second unit for far too long.

If the Celtics re-sign Jeff Green, Beasley's chances of landing in Boston definitely go down, but it's not out of the realm of possibilities that the two could coexist on the same roster.

His talent could flourish in a disciplined system like the one Boston boasts.

8. Chris Kaman, Center

Kaman has been constantly subjected to trade rumors over the offseason, and that's a direct result of the fact that his $12 million expiring contract is a very valuable chip at the negotiating table.

No matter where he suits up in 2011-12, Kaman will test free agency following the campaign and there's always interest in a legitimate seven-footer who has proven capable of scoring like he can from a variety of spots on the floor.

Boston has had a hole in the middle for far too long, and should the team decide to invest more heavily at another position(s) in free agency, Kaman could offer a reasonable short-term solution for a team that needs a larger presence at the center position.

7. J.J. Hickson, Power Forward

Hickson was dealt to the Sacramento Kings just prior to the lockout, but his stay in California's capital could potentially be a short one.

Loaded with incredible potential, Hickson enjoyed a coming-out party after the All-Star break last season when he averaged 16.9 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.

He just turned 23 earlier in September, and there's no doubting his ability to contribute in a large way for a Celtics team that could really use an injection of youth and athleticism along its front line.

6. JaVale McGee, Center

McGee's athleticism and wingspan make him an extraordinary specimen around the rim, and he really took a step forward during the 2010-11 season.

For the first time in his career, McGee averaged double digits in the scoring column as well as averaging an impressive 2.4 blocks per game, good for second in the league, tied with Dwight Howard and Serge Ibaka.

Moving forward, he'll be looking to build off of that success, and if he continues to fulfill his potential, it's going to be tough for a young Washington squad to retain him at the desired asking price.

The team has to shelve aside some financial flexibility to ensure John Wall doesn't go anywhere.

5. O.J. Mayo, Shooting Guard

After Mayo was demoted from the starting five last season and relegated to an unfamiliar reserve role, he thought about giving up the game entirely.

He showed intriguing promise as a scorer in the league prior to a step back during his third season in the league, and that type of talent doesn't just simply evaporate overnight.

With Ray Allen in the final year of his contract, Mayo could provide for an interesting transition at the position for the team.

If Allen is re-signed, it's still very possible that Mayo could make for a solid addition in the second unit as the scorer that the group has lacked for a long time.

4. Brook Lopez, Center

Lopez's 2010-11 regular season was a very interesting one for many more reasons besides the fact that he couldn't rebound the basketball.

The center had averaged better than eight rebounds per game in his first two seasons before a meager six last season, but that's not the only department where his performance fell off from the previous season.

Lopez also posted career-low marks in field-goal percentage, free-throw percentage and blocks per game, but he has proven capable of staying on the court as he's played in all 82 games in every season he's been in the league.

On a front line that has dealt with injury concerns in recent seasons, that could be welcomed with open arms.

3. Roy Hibbert, Center

It's fairly obvious that Boston is going to have to target a long-term option in the middle, and the club needs to solidify the position with someone solid.

The "plug and chug" method hasn't exactly worked out favorably in the past (see: Jermaine O'Neal, Shaquille O'Neal, Nenad Krstic, Troy Murphy), and the team really needs to get a solid contributor in the lineup.

Hibbert isn't a slam dunk as he's a restricted free agent and appears to be a big part of Indiana's future plans, but Boston could come calling with an offer that could blow everyone out of the water.

2. Eric Gordon, Shooting Guard

Gordon would be an unbelievable coup for the Celtics, as he is a legitimate candidate to establish himself as a bona fide superstar in this league.

While he's dealt with some health issues over the course of his career, Gordon has one of the brightest futures ahead of him of any player at his position.

Given his long-range shooting capabilities and underrated athleticism, his addition to a Boston lineup could be exactly the spark that an aging team needs to remain on top of the slag heap.

1. Dwight Howard, Center

Just about any team with enough cap space to lure Howard will attempt to do so assuming he hits free agency in 2012, but the Celtics should have him at the top of their free-agent wish list.

It's imperative that the team doesn't make moves that could prevent his joining the team, as even if he lands elsewhere, Boston has plenty of attractive alternatives in terms of how to spend the money that would've been allotted to him.

He's an ideal fit to play alongside Rajon Rondo, and if he were to form a new "big three" with Rondo and Paul Pierce, the Celtics could suddenly be a very, very scary team once again.