Buyout season is upon us and we have already seen many veteran players sign with contending teams. We have already seen Marvin Williams join the Milwaukee Bucks and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is expected to join the Dallas Mavericks so expect a lot more signings to be made. One team that should be paying close attention to the buyout market is the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics have been one of the best teams in the league this season but, they are in dire need of a big man and we look at four potential buyout candidates that they could look to sign.
Tristan Thompson
Thompson was on the trade block for most of the season and with that behind us, a buyout may be coming soon. Thompson has been having a career year for the Cavaliers this season and his improvement led to a rise in his trade stock. With Thompson currently in the last year of his deal and with the Cavs currently rebuild, many thought that Thompson would have been moved on Thursday.
Instead, the Cavs decided to trade for Andre Drummond to replace Thompson and this move led to his agency insisting Thompson be waived. If bought out, the Celtics should do whatever it takes to sign him as he would provide them with tremendous rebounding, paint defense, and a veteran presence.
Bismack Biyombo
Biyombo came onto the scene after a very good playoff run with the Toronto Raptors in 2016. During this run, he averaged 6.2 points and 9.4 rebounds in 25.3 minutes per game. He had his best game in game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals where he would grab 26 rebounds and block 4 shots against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
After this, he would sign a lucrative deal with the Orlando Magic and would never live up to that contract. He would make his way on to the Charlotte Hornets and with the recent waiving of Marvin Williams, it seems like he is next.
If signed by the Celtics after being bought out, he would provide them with hustle and rebounding. Despite being only 6’8, Bismack has a 7’6 wingspan and his length helps him to alter shots and grab boards over centers bigger than him. In a winning environment, we could see Bismack improve his play and provide the Celtics with quality minutes for the remainder of the season.
Taj Gibson
The New York Knicks had big dreams going into this past offseason but, it did not go according to plan. After all of the big-name free agents decided to bypass signing with New York, they opted to go for some mid-level veterans that could be used as trade assets.
Gibson was one of them and so far, this season, he has been decent. The trade deadline is now behind us and being 34 years old, Gibson may demand a buyout to look and join a contender. It makes sense as to why the Knicks would try to buy him out considering his contract only guarantees 1 million dollars next year and it would be fully guaranteed if he is not waived by June 28, 2020.
Gibson could provide quality minutes for the Celtics and can play the power forward and center position.
Ian Mahinmi
Mahinmi was given a crazy extension along with many other mid-level veterans in the crazy 2016 offseason and it is safe to say that he has not lived up to this contract. With this being the last year of his deal, it would make a lot of sense for the Wizards to just waive him and allow him to sign with a team of his choice.
At 6’11, Mahinmi would give the Celtics another big body. This season, he is averaging 7.8 points and 6 rebounds per game. Mahinmi has also shown the ability to hit the occasional three-point shot and in the right system, he could find success.
Next
NBA Rumors: The Best Buyout Candidates For The Los Angeles Lakers
MVP Power Rankings: Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James And James Harden
The Blockbuster Trades That We Wanted To See But Didn’t Happen
Darren Collison Explains Why He Will Not Play Anymore In The NBA
Battle Of The Ages: 20-30 Year Old Stars vs. 30-40 Year Old Stars
