Potential Free Agent Wing Targets

I don't like any of them...well, maybe one...

On Monday, we looked at five guards the Boston Celtics could target in free agency by using the MLE. Today, we turn our attention to the wings’ free agency pool. However, unlike the guard pool, there aren’t many ready-made impact-makers who are under 28 years old.

So, we’re widening the search.

Before we get started, I will caveat this by noting that the wing position is the deepest area of Boston’s current roster. I don’t see the need to add another body at the three or four. However, we’re working through free agents at each position, so here we are...

Let’s jump in.

John Collins

The Celtics first began showing interest in John Collins back in 2021. Nothing came of the interest, and he ultimately spent a further two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks before heading to the Utah Jazz and the LA Clippers.

Collins gives the Celtics two key things: athleticism and multi-level scoring. He can finish at the rim, shot 41% from deep this past season, and has a reliable mid-range game when needed.

Despite a down year on the glass in Los Angeles, Collins is a proven commodity on the glass and isn’t a target on defense.

You know what else Collins does? Dunk. He dunks. A lot. Sounds like something Brad Stevens might like!

Collins is entering free agency after earning $25 million last season. I can’t see him commanding that type of payday again, especially after he was a net-negative for the Clippers this season — they were a -4.6 per 100 with him on the floor.

It’s fair to say that at this point, Collins would be an instant upgrade over Boston’s current backup wings. However, Hugo Gonzalez has a higher upside, and for me, that means he should be getting a considerable amount of playing time next season — as should Baylor Scheierman.

Collins would provide a scoring boost, but in turn, he would eat up the full MLE while the Celtics are still short in the guard and big man departments. I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing him in; however, I’d argue that it would be a misuse of resources. Brad Stevens doesn’t strike me as the wasteful type.

LeBron James

Lol.

I can not see LeBron James wanting to come to Boston. I also can’t see Celtics fans welcoming him in Boston either.

Yet, for some reason, there’s been chatter that the Celtics, along with every other contender, are a potential landing spot for the soon-to-be 42-year-old. Hard pass.

“I can’t think of a player I want less than LeBron James on the Celtics. The show’s goat could be here in Boston. It would make me sick. I wouldn’t be able to root for the Celtics for a full year. I wouldn’t be able to do it.” — This was a discussion from the Jones & Keefe show on WWEI earlier this week.

I couldn’t agree more.

I see no value in adding LeBron James to this roster. I want the Celtics to get younger, more explosive, and to have a diverse approach on both sides of the floor. Adding 42-year-olds, even if their name is LeBron, doesn’t fix those issues. All it would be doing is kicking the can down the road.

I’ll be honest. I added this one in for comedic value. That’s how funny I find the notion of LeBron joining Boston. It would be like when Rita compelled Tommy to become the Green Ranger…

Rui Hachimura

Another Laker…

Hachimura could fit the Celtics system under Joe Mazzulla. He’s coming off a season where he shot 44% from deep, 53% from the mid-range and a middle-of-the-road 66% at the rim.

He’s a modern-day wing who can guard multiple positions, knock down shots and not take touches away from guys around him (he was 8th on the Lakers for touches per game during the regular season, averaging 30.3).

Hachimura earned $17 million this season. Therefore, it stands to reason that he could be looking for a payrise after impressing under JJ Redick.

However, I do find myself asking whether he would be open to taking the MLE to sign with the Celtics. He would provide size, scoring and versatility off the bench behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Again, I’m not sold on the notion of adding a wing in free agency, but if that is the pathway Stevens chooses to take, Hachiumura could be a solid target. According to Basketball Index, Hachimura has proven highly effective when working as a switch defender, which is an area the Celtics could certainly improve.

I alluded to this at the top of this section, but allow me to share his efficency metrics, too.

In all honesty, Hachimura will likely re-sign with the Lakers. That’s the smart play from their side, and he doesn’t have to uproot his life. If he does end up on the free agent market, and the Celtics decide they want an upgrade off the bench, he’s someone I would certainly take a closer look at.

Guerschon Yabusele

If I’m the Celtics, and I want to add a wing, I’m probably shopping in the bargain bin. Fortunately, there’s precisely where I’d expect to find Yabusele this summer. After a stellar return season with the Philadelphia 76ers, Yabusele struggled this season.

Joining the New York Knicks didn’t work out the way we expected. He did fare better with the Chicago Bulls, averaging 10.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 26 games.

Perhaps a return to where his NBA journey began could be what he needs to get back on track. Yabu isn’t going to massively move the needle, but he’s got plenty of experience and is clearly talented.

It’s worth noting, though, that multiple international teams appear to be showing interest in Yabu, and he may choose to leave the NBA in order to find a larger role elsewhere.

According to Sportando, Dubai BC is interested in adding Yabu to its roster. Hapoel Tel Aviv would undoubtedly be willing to re-ignite their pursuit of him, too, assuming he made his desire to leave the NBA clear.

I do wonder whether Yabu is the type of player who needs a sizeable role to be effective. The Sixers had a string of injury issues during his time with them, leading to more playing time than expected. Then, with the Knicks, he was cast as a role player and struggled. Once in Chicago, the minutes started flowing, and so did the production.

The Celtics don’t need a backup who thrives under those circumstances. If Boston does move for a wing (that isn’t costing the MLE), they’ve got to be comfortable in the unknown.

It’s called the stay ready group for a reason.

Marvin Bagley

The final name on this list (which has been nowhere near as enticing as the guard list on Monday).

Bagley has become a prototypical journeyman in the NBA. This past season, he split his time between the Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks. In his 8 seasons in the league, he’s suited up for 5 teams, 6 if you count his two separate spells with the Wizards individually.

The upside of acquiring a journeyman is that they’re accustomed to acclimating to new processes, systems and teammates. The downside is that they’re journeymen for a reason.

Nevertheless, Bagley is coming off a solid season where he averaged 10.5 points and 6.1 rebounds across 60 regular-season games. He’s not much of a perimeter shooter, though, averaging 0.9 attempts from deep this past season. Because of that, I’m not sure how enticing he would be for the Celtics.

The only upside to adding Bagley would be that he’d give the Celtics another body who pressures the rim and operates in or around the restricted area. Of course, the downside to that is his limited perimeter shooting would hurt the overall spacing.

I’d much rather add slashers who can shoot, rather than an interior-only scorer who bounces from team to team.

I added Bagley here because he’d be cheap, fill a gap and provide NBA experience if the Celtics found themselves in a pinch. In no way do I think he’d be a wise pickup.

It’s slim pickings

…In terms of free agent wings this summer.

Thankfully, the Celtics shouldn’t be in the market for anyone at either wing position.

Next up on our list is the big men.