CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Moving Onward and Upward (hopefully)

Now that the draft is over, the Celtics can look to free agency and trades to shape up the team for next season. Despite all the rumors that Perk, Rondo and Ray were on the block for a draft pick in one of the weakest drafts in recent years, the starting lineup is still one of the best in the league.

The biggest need that Danny needs to address is to get some quality players on the bench. They need a back up center, a big defensive 3 to back up Paul Pierce, and a back up point guard. Even if the Celtics re-sign Big Baby, they should be looking for another big as well. If last year taught us anything, it is that the team should go into the season with more than enough bigs.

There are rumors floating around with a few players that the Celtics are keeping an eye on Rasheed Wallace, Grant Hill, Anthony Parker, Antonio McDyess, Bruce Bowen , Chris Anderson, Linas Kleiza, and Francisco Oberto. According to a Tweet from Ric Bucher, Rasheed is deciding between Orlando and San Antonio and in spite of a call from KG, he is not interested in Boston. Chris Anderson is likely to re-sign with Denver. There are rumors that Anthony Parker is thinking of going overseas for a lucrative contract.

Free agent centers and power forwards that Danny may be considering along with their stats from last season.
Zaza Pachulia 6'11" 6.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, .3 BPG
Joe Smith 6'10" 6.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, .7 BPG
Brandon Bass 6'8" 8.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, .7 BPG
Chris Anderson 6'10" 6.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.5 BPG, and a ton of energy
Antonio McDyess 6'9" 9.6 PPG, 9.8 RPG, .8 BPG
Rasheed Wallace 6'11" 12 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.3 BPG
Lamar Odom 6'10" 11.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.3 BPG
Jamaaal Magloire 6'11" 2.9 PPG, 4 RPG, .5 BPG
Jason Collins 7'0" 1.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, .4 BPG
Sheldon Williams 6'9" 4.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, .4 BPG
Robert Swift 7'1" 3.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, .7 BPG

Of that list, my first choice would be Chris Anderson. Why didn't Danny grab him last season when he could have gotten him for next to nothing? But, word is that Anderson loves Denver and they love him and he will stay there. My second choise would be Antonio McDyess, if he could be pried away from Detroit. I don't ever see Lamar Odom signing with the Celtics. Danny has been rumored to love Swift since he was taken by Seattle just before Danny got to pick. Will he try to get him now that he is a free agent? He wouldn't be my choice but then again, neither was Patrick O'Bryant.

Small Forwards who are free agents that Danny could be looking at include

Dahntay Jones 6'6" 5.4 PPG, 1 APG, 64% 3PT
Ron Artest 6'7" 17.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.3 APG
Trevor Ariza 6'8" 8.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.8 APG
Anthony Parker 6'6" 10.7 PPG, 3.4 APG, 39% 3PT
Matt Barnes 6'7" 10.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.8 APG
Grant Hill 6'8" 12 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.3 APG
Shawn Marion 6'7" 12.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1 BPG
Travis Outlaw 6'9" 12.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1 APG

Outlaw isn't a free agent but is reportedly being shopped and may be bought out. He would be great if the Celtics could get him. There have already been rumors of Danny going after Jones but he is lower down on my list of players I would want. Shawn Marion reportedly is willing to accept the vet minimum to play for a contender and after playing in Toronto, Boston may not look all that bad. I'd love to have Grant Hill but there have been reports that he loves it in Phoenix and would like to stay there. Anthony Parker would be ideal but the word is that he is looking at going overseas for a lot of money. I like Matt Barnes and he would be a great signing. I'd love to see him in green next year. The Lakers really want to re-sign Ariza and I doubt he would play for the Celtics anyway.

Free agents can talk to teams on July 1 and can sign as of July 8. Hopefully Danny will be busy and bring in a few quality players that will give us a strong bench next season. Without quality backups, we are likely to see the starters worn down with little left to give in the playoffs again.

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