What moves do the Celtics have left to make in free agency?
The Celtics haven’t rocked the boat too much this offseason.
They’ve brought back center Aron Baynes, officially signed first-round draft pick Robert Williams, and added former Euroleague All-Star Brad Wanamaker.
But one 6-foot-4, 220-pound question mark remains.
Guard Marcus Smart is a restricted free agent this offseason, meaning he is free to strike a deal with another team, but the Celtics would have the opportunity to match any offer sheet he signs. Boston has already extended a $6 million qualifying offer, which Smart can sign at any time. His other two options are to negotiate with the Celtics or fish for a better deal in the free-agent market.
Here’s a look at where things stand and other moves the Celtics could make:
Marcus Smart
Smart told The Boston Globe‘s Adam Himmelsbach and The Athletic‘s Jay King Monday that he had “no clue” where he currently stood with the Celtics.
“That’s what I want to know,” he said. “I can only control what I can control.”
According to Himmelsbach, Smart has been “hurt by the Celtics’ lack of communication” thus far into free agency. The Celtics, however, still reportedly view Smart as “an integral part” of their future — despite disagreements on the contract front. Smart told ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan in late May that he thinks he’s worth “more than $12-14 million” per year, while the Celtics will likely try to stay below the league’s luxury tax line by signing him for less than $10 million per year.
Regardless of how finances shake out, president of basketball operations Danny Ainge and coach Brad Stevens have both expressed interest in bringing Smart back.
“Marcus is, I think, pretty well aware of how I feel,’’ Stevens told reporters in Las Vegas Monday. “I’m not involved in all the negotiation part of it and all the numbers part of it, and he knows that. He also knows we really want him back. I know our front office has worked hard to be communicative, and go from there.’’
Smart, too, has voiced his desire to stay in Boston.
“My heart’s here,” Smart said during his exit interview. “I want to be here. I love this city. I love this team. I love the atmosphere it gives off. I’ve been here for four years. My heart’s here, but there’s definitely going to be some factors that go into it.”
Himmelsbach reported Tuesday that Smart, in Las Vegas, met with two teams Monday and had plans to meet with two more Tuesday. The teams are from both conferences, according to Himmelsbach.
Jabari Bird
Shooting guard Jabari Bird is Boston’s other restricted free agent.
The 23-year-old has garnered interest from both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to The Boston Globe‘s Gary Washburn. The Celtics have reportedly extended a qualifying offer, worth $77,250, and can match any offer sheet he receives from other teams.
If Bird signs the qualifying offer, he will remain a two-way player with the Celtics and their G League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws. Bird, however, will likely try to negotiate a standard NBA contract — whether that be with the Celtics or another team. As a two-way player, Bird wouldn’t be considered a part of Boston’s 15-man roster and would remain ineligible to compete in the postseason.
“I always want to be an NBA player, like on the roster, full-time,” he recently told reporters at the Celtics’ practice facility. “Whatever happens this summer, I’m looking forward to it.”
After getting drafted 56th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, Bird has played in 20 games for the Red Claws and in 13 games for the Celtics. Though his status is unconfirmed for the upcoming season, he is one of 13 players on Boston’s summer league roster.
Through three games, Bird is averaging 18 points on 58 percent shooting. He called the playing time in Las Vegas a great opportunity to prove he is worthy of a spot on an NBA roster and noted he is focused on his game — not his restricted free agency.
“It’s part of being a pro,” he said. “All I can do is worry about what’s in front of me. I can’t worry about what’s going on behind the scenes. I have a great agent, and he’s handling it for me. If he has some news for me, I’m pretty sure he’ll tell me.”
Potential trade targets
While Smart’s and Bird’s contract situations will both be resolved before the NBA tip-off game in October, the Celtics could be making adjustments to their roster up until the February trade deadline.
Kawhi Leonard: The Celtics are one of four teams that have reportedly made an offer for Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard, but the likelihood of Leonard coming to Boston seems increasingly doubtful.
Multiple reports have surfaced surrounding Leonard’s plans for the future — and none of them include Boston as a leading candidate. Even if the Celtics were to trade for Leonard, he has a player option to become an unrestricted free agent after the upcoming season, so there is no guarantee he would be in Boston for more than a year-long rental.
Anthony Davis: Although it initially seemed unlikely center Anthony Davis would leave New Orleans, the departures of former teammates DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo may have altered his situation with the Pelicans.
Should Davis ever become available in trade talks, it’s more than likely the Celtics will be active in their pursuit.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Boston — even after acquiring forward Gordon Hayward and point guard Kyrie Irving — “remained vigilant” on the possibility of trading for Davis last season. Davis is entering the third season of a five-year, $127 million contract and will become an unrestricted free agent in 2021.
Celtics play-by-player announcer Mike Gorman said in June Davis is “the only player [he knows] of that the Celtics would really put everybody on the table for.”
