This is not how the Boston Celtics envisioned their offseason.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Celtics have offered veteran center Aron Baynes — a defensive anchor for Boston over the past two seasons — to teams with the cap space to absorb his $5.4 million contract. Baynes decided to pick up his player option for the 2019-20 on June 12 and knew there was potential that he could be moved but it wasn’t expected to happen so soon after he decided to forego free agency.
However, with both Kyrie Irving and Al Horford expected to sign elsewhere as free agents and Anthony Davis heading to the Los Angeles Lakers on July 6, Boston has limited options for remaining in playoff-contention next season.
The Celtics can trade up in the draft to select a prospect that’s oozing with potential, like former Vanderbilt guard Darius Garland. They can package players and picks for an All-Star talent that may be available, like Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal. Boston could also try to be players on the free agent market; a path that trading Baynes helps the Celtics explore.
By trading Baynes, Boston can have up to $23 million in cap space, enough money to sign a dependable or high-level starter. They won’t be players for the Kemba Walkers and Kawhi Leonards of the world but players like point guard Patrick Beverley, guard Goran Dragic, center Marc Gasol and center Nikola Vucevic could be on their radar when free agency begins on June 30.
