Five Celtics players could target in NBA free agency
Brad Stevens’ assessment of the 2025-26 Celtics roster could be summed up in three phrases:
Not. Good. Enough.
“Though we did a lot of good things, we lost in the first round,” Stevens stated earlier this month in his end-of-season news conference. “And we were also 3-11 against the top three seeds in the West and the other top two in the East. So we’ve got to get better.”
How can Boston do this? In Part 1 of our offseason targets collection, listed below are 5 impending unrestricted free brokers who could match the Celtics’ wants this offseason.
Mitchell Robinson
The Celtics have a evident want for frontcourt assist, and there aren’t many difference-making facilities set to hit free agency. The better of the bunch is Robinson, whom Boston is aware of properly from his eight seasons as a New York Knick.
The scope of Robinson’s talent set is proscribed — greater than 90% of his profession field-goal makes an attempt have come inside three ft, per Basketball-Reference, and he is a notoriously horrible free-throw shooter — however what he does properly, he does very properly. Listed at 7-foot-1, he is a monster on the offensive glass and a top-tier inside defender. This season, Robinson ranked in the 87th percentile amongst huge males in block share, the ninety fifth percentile in steal share and the one centesimal percentile in offensive rebounding share, per Cleaning the Glass.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla won’t need two non-shooters on the high of his middle depth chart — starter Neemias Queta has extra vary than Robinson however is much from a floor-stretcher — however bringing in Robinson would add some obligatory heft to a place group that was outclassed in Boston’s first-round series in opposition to Philadelphia.
Queta has a group possibility for subsequent season, Luka Garza — a stable shooter and offensive rebounder who struggles defensively — has one yr left on his contract, and midseason pickup Nikola Vucevic is an impending free agent. The 35-year-old Vucevic was a healthy DNP in Game 7 in opposition to the 76ers, and Stevens’ postseason feedback instructed he’s unlikely to return.
Robert Williams III
An ex-Celtic who as soon as was thought of one of many NBA’s finest defenders, Williams has battled accidents all through his NBA profession, lacking at the very least 21 video games in every of his eight seasons. But the Time Lord was wholesome by his requirements this season — his 59 appearances for Portland have been practically as many as he logged in the earlier three campaigns mixed — and confirmed that he is nonetheless a helpful participant when he can keep on the ground.
Williams averaged 14.8 rebounds and three.1 blocks per 36 minutes and shot 70.4% from the sphere whereas backing up Donovan Clingan. He turns 29 in October and sure could be a less expensive different to Robinson.
As a results of their salary-shedding during the last yr, the Celtics now have entry to the complete non-taxpayer mid-level exception (roughly $15 million), though utilizing all of it could hard-cap them on the first apron for 2026-27.
G Anfernee Simons
Speaking of reunions, would the Celtics take into account bringing again Simons for a extra substantial stint? The former Trail Blazers starter was an effective sixth man throughout his half-season in Boston. He scored in double figures in 37 of his 49 appearances, shot 39.5% from 3-point vary and drew frequent reward from Mazzulla for his improved protection.
The Celtics shipped Simons to Chicago on the NBA commerce deadline — a transfer that netted them Vucevic and helped them drop under the luxurious tax line — and he performed in simply six video games for the tanking Bulls earlier than being shut down for the season. The 26-year-old possible might want to accept lower than the $27.7 million he earned in the ultimate yr of his present contract.
G Coby White
A starter in Chicago for many of his profession, White thrived as a sixth man with Charlotte after being handled at February’s commerce deadline. In 21 video games for the Hornets, the 6-foot-5 combo guard averaged 29.1 factors, 5.7 assists and seven.7 free-throw makes an attempt per 36 minutes whereas taking pictures 39.1% from three.
White would add scoring and playmaking capability to a Celtics backcourt that lacks depth behind Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.
G Ayo Dosunmu
Dosunmu’s 43-point masterclass in Game 4 in opposition to Denver made him one of many breakout stars of those NBA playoffs. The Timberwolves, who acquired the 26-year-old from Chicago in one other of the Bulls’ many deadline offers, are hoping to re-sign him, however Dosunmu stated he is trying ahead to testing free agency for the primary time in his profession.
If he hits the market, the Celtics could use a guard with Dosunmu’s athleticism and skill to get to the basket. More than a 3rd of his field-goal makes an attempt this season (36.7%) have been from inside three ft, proper in line together with his profession common. Boston’s high 5 scorers all took lower than 20% of their pictures from that space, and White and Pritchard each have been under 10%. Stevens needs to alter that, particularly mentioning the Celtics’ must “have more of an impact at the rim.”
In a late-season loss to Minnesotathe Celtics had bother coralling Dosunmu (17 factors, eight rebounds, six assists) and fellow Wolves reserve Bones Hyland (23 factors), who could be one other title to look at if Boston goes discount searching for a veteran guard.
