5 Free Agents the Boston Celtics Should Target In 2016 NBA Offseason

5 Free Agents the Boston Celtics Should Target In 2016 NBA Offseason

By Derek McVay

September 18, 2015

5 Free Agents the Boston Celtics Should Target In 2016 NBA Offseason

Brad Stevens — The Boston Celtics didn't quite make the splash they wanted to this past summer during free agency. As the saying goes, there's always next year. The Celtics will have more opportunities next summer to reel in some big talent. Though they have repeatedly struck out in free agency, the team continues to remain optimistic, especially with the expected hike in the salary cap next year. Here are some players Boston should consider next summer.

The Boston Celtics didn't quite make the splash they wanted to this past summer during free agency. As the saying goes, there's always next year. The Celtics will have more opportunities next summer to reel in some big talent. Though they have repeatedly struck out in free agency, the team continues to remain optimistic, especially with the expected hike in the salary cap next year. Here are some players Boston should consider next summer.

5. Greivis Vasquez

Greivis Vasquez

5. Greivis Vasquez

Greivis Vasquez — Vasquez is the type of player most teams would love to have. He plays with great effort each night and his unselfishness and hustle can energize the crowd. He's a solid, all-around player who fills up the box score on any given night. He can shoot, he can pass, he's not afraid to rebound and he's a pesky defender. He'd provide Boston with a reliable veteran and a playmaker off the bench.

Vasquez is the type of player most teams would love to have. He plays with great effort each night and his unselfishness and hustle can energize the crowd. He's a solid, all-around player who fills up the box score on any given night. He can shoot, he can pass, he's not afraid to rebound and he's a pesky defender. He'd provide Boston with a reliable veteran and a playmaker off the bench.

4. Jared Dudley

Jared Dudley

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4. Jared Dudley

Jared Dudley — Dudley has already admitted that he'd love to play for Brad Stevens. Dudley's style of play would mesh well with Stevens' style. Not only is he a solid wing defender, capable of defending multiple positions, but he can also shoot the three -- shooting just under 40 percent for his career. A veteran presence like Dudley would be nice to have alongside young wing players like James Young and R.J. Hunter.

Dudley has already admitted that he'd love to play for Brad Stevens. Dudley's style of play would mesh well with Stevens' style. Not only is he a solid wing defender, capable of defending multiple positions, but he can also shoot the three -- shooting just under 40 percent for his career. A veteran presence like Dudley would be nice to have alongside young wing players like James Young and R.J. Hunter.

3. Al Jefferson

Al Jefferson

3. Al Jefferson

Al Jefferson — Originally drafted by the Boston Celtics out of high school 11 years ago, a return of Al Jefferson is realistic, and it would do wonders to shore things up in the middle. With only one true center currently under roster in Tyler Zeller, Jefferson would improve Boston's depth with his ability to score in the post and his ability to rebound -- a career average of 9.1 per game.

Originally drafted by the Boston Celtics out of high school 11 years ago, a return of Al Jefferson is realistic, and it would do wonders to shore things up in the middle. With only one true center currently under roster in Tyler Zeller, Jefferson would improve Boston's depth with his ability to score in the post and his ability to rebound -- a career average of 9.1 per game.

2. Al Horford

Al Horford

2. Al Horford

Al Horford — A little more athletic and offensively gifted than Al Jefferson, Al Horford is worth the pursuit next summer. A versatile offensive player, Horford is also a valuable rebounder -- though his numbers have declined since the arrival of Paul Millsap. Not only would Horford be a major upgrade for the Celtics, but if they could bring in a star like Horford, it would increase their chances of attracting others as well.

A little more athletic and offensively gifted than Al Jefferson, Al Horford is worth the pursuit next summer. A versatile offensive player, Horford is also a valuable rebounder -- though his numbers have declined since the arrival of Paul Millsap. Not only would Horford be a major upgrade for the Celtics, but if they could bring in a star like Horford, it would increase their chances of attracting others as well.

1. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant

1. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant — Durant should be at the top of everybody's list. A top five player in the league, Durant would give the Celtics the superstar that they so desperately need. Boston hasn't had a 20+ PPG scorer since Paul Pierce in the 2008-09 season. Danny Ainge has had his eye on Durant since he was a freshmen at Texas -- he was even fined for excessive contact -- and you can bet he'll at least make a recruiting pitch next summer.

Durant should be at the top of everybody's list. A top five player in the league, Durant would give the Celtics the superstar that they so desperately need. Boston hasn't had a 20+ PPG scorer since Paul Pierce in the 2008-09 season. Danny Ainge has had his eye on Durant since he was a freshmen at Texas -- he was even fined for excessive contact -- and you can bet he'll at least make a recruiting pitch next summer.

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