NBA Rumors: Mickael Pietrus Would Be a Perfect Fit with Celtics

The Boston Celtics will likely sign swingman Mickael Pietrus if he clears waivers Saturday, adding some experience and talent to their depleted bench.

The Celtics have plenty of issues this season, but their biggest is the lack of depth on the perimeter. With Jeff Green out for the season and Paul Pierce nursing a heel injury, Boston desperately needs to make a move.

If they don't, their best backups for Pierce and Ray Allen will be Marquis Daniels, Keyon Dooling and Sasha "Yes, I'm still in the NBA" Pavlovic. 

I'm not even a Celtics fan, but the thought of those three playing crucial minutes makes me cringe. If they can add Pietrus however, their bench will be greatly improved.

At 29 years old, Pietrus is a baby by Celtics standards. He's a good three-point shooter, a strong defender and an explosive athlete.

He's also got plenty of big-game experience, like when he shredded Boston in Game 7 of the 2009 Eastern Conference semifinals. In that game, Pietrus made 6-of-7 shots and hit three three-pointers on his way to 17 points in just 24 minutes.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers agrees that adding their old enemy would make sense.

"He would be a good addition for any team," Rivers said. "He would be athletic, he would bring some toughness. He can guard 2’s and 3’s. He can stretch the floor. Whoever gets him, will be getting a heck of a player, if he’s healthy."

Right now, the Celtics roster is riddled with injuries and old age. Signing Pietrus wouldn't fix everything, but it would be a big step in the right direction.