NBA Free Agency 2011: 5 Free Agents Boston Celtics Must Target Post-Lockout

An NBA lockout that stretched nearly 150 days has been finally put to rest and the Boston Celtics are soon to begin a frantic 2011 free agency period in which the team must move quickly to add players to the current roster.

The Celtics currently feature a roster of just eight players, including both unsigned rookies in JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore, who are technically not members of the team. This leaves the team with the following players: Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, Jermaine O'Neal and Avery Bradley.

Knowing that this is one of the few seasons this Celtics team has left to contend with the Big Three on the roster, Danny Ainge and head coach Doc Rivers are sure to make a significant push in free agency to help get keep the Celtics remain one of the top contenders in the East.

Here are the five players the Celtics should target as soon as the 2011 NBA free agency period begins.

No. 5: Glen Davis, Unrestricted Free Agent, Boston Celtics

Glen Davis has his fair share of supporters and critics in Boston, but make no mistake about it, this is a player the Celtics should look to keep going forward.

The forward out of LSU is a major facet to this Celtics team, coming off the bench to produce positive numbers in limited minutes. Last season, in just 29.5 minutes per game, Davis averaged 11.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

The major criticism against Davis is the fact that he was nowhere to be found come playoff time. In the 2011 NBA playoffs his numbers dropped significantly, yet so did his playing time, which kept him out of rhythm. In prior postseason runs with the team, Davis has been as solid a player as the team could ask for.

In the absence of Garnett during the 2008 postseason run, at just age 23, Davis averaged 15.8 points and 5.7 rebounds with 1.3 steals per game in 14 games.

There is a plethora of potential still left in the 25 year old. Davis is also a player that knows Doc Rivers' system well and will be a smooth transition headed into next season.

No. 4: Delonte West, Unrestricted Free Agent, Boston Celtics

Delonte West was as significant an asset as any guard for the Celtics during the playoff series against LeBron James and the Miami Heat, and has to be a priority this offseason.

With Rondo going down to injury midway through the series, West showed he is still a player to be reckoned with in this league and stepped up in a big way. In just 18 minutes per game, West was able to score 6.6 points and shoot 80 percent from the free-throw line when on the court during the postseason run.

During the Heat series in particular, West stepped up to average 10.2 points and shot a whopping 52 percent from the field. He would score over 10 points in each game of the series, showing he was capable of playing both consistently and effectively for the team in his role.

West is a sure sign this offseason, as he will provide experience and veteran play at both the point guard and shooting guard positions going forward.

No. 3: Jeff Green, Restricted Free Agent, Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics' forward Jeff Green is an up-and-coming player for this team and will likely be the future of this team alongside Rajon Rondo.

That being said, the restricted free agent is going nowhere.

If there is one player the Celtics will end up signing from the list of free agents, it is without an ounce of doubt that Rivers and the organization are investing their money in Jeff Green. The young talent is soon expected to take over at the small forward position for Paul Pierce.

Currently, Green makes the most of his minutes on the floor and is slowly beginning to find his role with this team. More than anything, his defensive presence and ability to stay with some of the better offensive players in the league is where he benefits the Celtics the most.

A no-brainer to say the least, Jeff Green must and will be a member of the Boston Celtics come Christmas day.

No. 2: Leon Powe, Unrestricted Free Agent, Memphis Grizzlies

Once a member of the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies' power forward Leon Powe could well find a home for himself back in Boston when it's all said and done.

Powe was a member of the 2008 NBA championship team that took the L.A. Lakers by storm in the NBA Finals. Powe was a critical part of the team, making plays on the defensive end and making big plays when the team needed it most.

As a member of the Grizzlies last season, Powe played just under nine minutes per game, yet averaged a whopping 5.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and shot 50 percent from the floor. He is a player that produces quickly and effectively when on the floor and a guy that knows the Celtics' system well.

Powe was not given enough playing time to be satisfied with the Grizzlies' organization and will be on the move, as it would be in the best interest of the Celtics to bring in Powe. Being both familiar with the organization and young, Powe could well play an integral role in helping prepare the team for a future without the Big Three.

No. 1: Kenyon Martin, Unrestricted Free Agent, Denver Nuggets

Kenyon Martin has proven himself to be a force in this league, and is not only an explosive athlete on both ends of the floor, but also a cost-effective option for the Boston Celtics.

At age 33 and entering the final years of his NBA career, Martin will come to the understanding that he isn't going to be paid top-player money any longer and will have to settle for less money. A player like Martin, who wants to win an NBA championship in the later stages of his career, could well take a pay-cut to join a team like the Boston Celtics.

As the Celtics are a team that doesn't have much room to work with in the salary cap, Martin would be the ideal choice as far as the talent and leadership that he brings to the table, as well as being a relatively cheaper option for the team.

Last season Martin averaged 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in just over 25 minutes per game.

Expect the C's to take a good look at Martin during the free agency period.