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…