The Boston Celtics are targeting Gordon Hayward, Lance Stephenson and Chandler Parsons in free agency this offseason and a trade for Rajon Rondo could be coming later on as well, while players like Jeff Green, Jared Sullinger, Kris Humphries or Gerald Wallace also could be traded if Danny Ainge shakes things up later in the year.
Last season the Celtics went through a rebuilding year and now they have a nice core of young talent with Kelly Olynyk, Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart and James Young to build around and the future may also include Rondo. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Rondo has come up in trade rumors this summer with teams like the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets interested, but so far Ainge has not been interested in pulling the trigger. Some thought that after drafting Marcus Smart the Celtics would look at dealing Rondo since he also plays point guard, but Ainge said that he envisions the two playing together on the court after Smart also played other positions at Oklahoma State.
The Celtics have been lined to Gordon Hayward this offseason and one of the main reasons is due to his connection with head coach Brad Stevens, who was his coach at Butler. The Jazz are looking to match offers for Hayward, as he is a restricted free agent, but there is always the chance they let him go if another team makes a high enough offer. ESPN.com reported that the Cavaliers were flirting with offering a max contract, but they never extended the offer.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Celtics are also interested in Lance Stephenson on the free agent market and he is getting targeted by a number of teams, including the Dallas Mavericks and LA Lakers. Stephenson declined a five year deal worth $40 million from the Pacers and now he may try and get more elsewhere.
The Celtics signed Bradley back on a deal this offseason and also drafted James Young with Smart in the first round. The team has an athletic backcourt and a solid group for Rondo to play with if he remains with Boston long term and right now that appears to be the likely move. Bradley had options and interest from other teams, but he opted to stay with Boston and now is in on a $32 million contract over four years. Some have said that the Celtics overpaid Bradley, but he has been an important player for the team and showed his value while coming in and playing for Rondo when he was injured.
Last season Bradley ended up averaging a career high 14 points along with nearly four rebounds and he also had one steal and just over an assist per game. Bradley is not the most polished offensive player, but he is a shutdown defender and solid rebounder and he gives the Celtics another athletic player in their lineup. Bradley has had injury issues in the past, including this year when he missed 22 games, but he said that he is fully healthy heading into the summer and he is hoping to make it through next season with no issues.
