The biggest fish have been reeled in, for the most part, in the first 10 days of NBA agency. But a limited number of quality veterans — including Kelly Oubre Jr. — are available to the Boston Celtics, who could sign them at the veteran minimum.
Oubre, a small forward, could potentially fit as a replacement for Grant Williams, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer. The Celtics dealt Williams to the Dallas Mavericks on July 5.
“Thinking about the Celtics and the fact that, yeah, they do kind of have an opening in the frontcourt,” Fischer said during an appearance on the July 8 episode of “The NBA Front Office Podcast.” “But [Oubre] can be a small-ball four; I would say all three of [Boston’s bigs] are centers at this point. Al Horford’s shooting is interesting enough where you’re able to play him and Rob the other, but Boston would make some sense to me for him.”
Keith Smith, one of the podcast’s cohosts, agreed, saying, “Oubre, basically anybody who needs a wing, he’s got to be at the top of their list.”
Oubre is coming off a career year in scoring with the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 20.3 points a game, his highest since he averaged 18.7 points with the Phoenix Suns during the 2019-20 season. With Williams’ departure, the Celtics may look to Oubre as someone who could replace Williams while also helping their second-unit scoring.
Celtics Attended Workout for John Wall: Report
On July 9, The Athletic’s Kelly Iko reported that the Celtics were among the teams who attended a private workout for John Wall, a free agent who was waived by the Houston Rockets in February.
“Veteran point guard John Wall held a private workout on Sunday with multiple teams — including the Boston Celtics and Portland Trailblazers — in attendance. The five-time All-Star is ramping up efforts in hopes of a return to the NBA,” Iko tweeted .
Veteran point guard John Wall held a private workout on Sunday with multiple teams — including the Boston Celtics and Portland Trailblazers — in attendance. The five-time All-Star is ramping up efforts in hopes of a return to the NBA.
Following Iko’s report, The Athletic’s Jared Weiss gave his thoughts on the prospect of the Celtics adding Wall.
“The organization understands they need someone who can get into the paint and make plays,” Weiss wrote. “(Wall) may have just enough left in the tank for one more season as a backup guard and would complement the current rotation as a composed scorer who can make reads from deep in the paint. He isn’t the answer in a large role, but he at least checks off that important depth box for the roster.”
Aaron Nesmith Says Celtics Fans Will Love Oshae Brissett
Having played with Oshae Brissett last season on the Indiana Pacers, former Celtics lottery pick Aaron Nesmith sang his former teammate’s praises.
“Celtics fans are going to love Oshae,” Nesmith told Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston. “He plays with a lot of energy, a lot of effort, and a lot of hustle. He’s going to do well there.”
With Williams off the team now, Brissett will likely get a chance to prove himself in the Celtics’ rotation. Although adding Kelly Oubre would make it more difficult for Brissett.
Brissett joins Kristaps Porzingis, Dalano Banton and Jordan Walsh as the Celtics’ key additions this offseason. Based on Nesmith’s words, who was also an energy wing off the Celtics’ bench, Brissett could provide a jolt of energy to the second unit.
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8-Year Veteran Scorer Floated as Possible Celtics’ Grant Williams Replacement