Greg Monroe May Be Most ‘Realistic’ Free-Agent Target For Boston Celtics
USA Today
The Boston Celtics are coming off a better season than expected. The storied NBA franchise was able to make the playoffs and gave the Cleveland Cavaliers a bit more trouble than anticipated in the first round. Although Boston was ultimately swept by LeBron James and company in four games, the Celtics are in a good position to improve the team moving forward.
General manager Danny Ainge has stockpiled draft picks as well as bringing in some promising young players with Marcus Smart and Isaiah Thomas. The future may be bright in Boston with the team potentially not struggling for long, but the Celtics do hope to land big-name in free agency this summer.
The one big-name potential free agent the team wants to sign is Kevin Love. Unfortunately, if Love does elect to test free agency he’s likely headed to the Los Angeles Lakers, not Boston, according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News:
The dream, of course, is that Kevin Love will opt out in Cleveland and hit the market this summer, where he would be the centerpiece in Boston rather than a role player with the Cavs. Not likely. If Love does leave the Cavs this year, he’s much more likely to do so in order to go home to Los Angeles and play for the Lakers.
Although the Celtics may not be able to compete with the Lakers in the Love sweepstakes, one player that might be within their grasp is free-agent-to-be Greg Monroe, via Deveney:
The realistic high-end target is Greg Monroe of the Pistons, who waited out his qualifying offer to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, but figures to attract ample attention and will be seeking a max deal.
As of right now, many anticipate the Lakers and New York Knicks to attempt to make the biggest splashes in free agency. The two big-market franchises will have a lot of cap space at their disposal with some major targets in their crosshairs like Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo and Monroe, but the Celtics may be able to surprise some people in free agency this summer.
