The Celtics are targeting “high-scoring, small-ball forwards” with their mid-level exception, writes Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. Fischer mentions the Hawks‘ Danilo Gallinari and the Pacers‘ T.J. Warren as possibilities, but adds that others are also under consideration.
Boston can only offer the taxpayer mid-level exception (projected to be worth about $6.4MM) unless it unloads some salary.
Gallinari, who is also rumored to be part of trade talks with the Spurs, could wind up on the free agent market because his contract currently only carries a $5MM guarantee for next season. The 33-year-old averaged 11.7 points and 4.7 rebounds for Atlanta this season while shooting 38.1% from three-point range, but seems unlikely to be retained at his full $21.5MM salary, whether or not he’s traded.
The Heat may also consider Gallinari if they can’t re-sign P.J. Tucker, Fischer says.
Warren has only played four combined games over the past two seasons, but he was a dangerous scorer before being injured and was one of the stars of the Orlando bubble. Warren, 28, is averaging 15.5 points and 4.1 rebounds for his career, including a career-best 19.8 PPG during the 2019/20 season.
I m sorry so the Celtics are looking to add two guys who can never play in their defensive scheme?
The only truth about this time of year is to not believe anything that any pundit says bc they are either being used or willing putting out BS.
Neither will be a Celtic. Celtics are going after someone, they just aint telling no one.
Yeah, Gallo doesn’t fit into what they’re trying to do at all.
And TJ Warren is fighting AD for the nickname “Streetclothes”.
Ok that was funny.
Kudos
There two sides to the ball. Yeah gallo weak on d but can still be secondary iso scorer off bench.
I’m not super high on Gallo or Warren but Boston may need to make that sacrifice – making their historically great defense a tad worse so they can, you know, function offensively down the stretch of close games against elite defenses like GSW?
Also they just need more depth period. If they can survive with Gallo for 15-20m in the playoffs that’ll lessen the minutes burden on Tatum and Brown.
Joe Ingles would be a really nice fit for the Celtics at the MLE, if recovered from injury.
yes 100%! I have been saying this for years. he can space the floor, long armed, not as bad as Gallo on D, and he can distribute the ball off the bench.
In Utah, he was runner up for 6th man of the year to his team mate the year Clarkson won it. Please correct me if I am wrong on that.
If he is healthy and Portland is dumb enough to trade him (on the cheap) or not bring him back because of his injury…. Get it Done Brad!
You’re right Ingles was runner up for 6th man of the year but he’s an unrestricted free agent and from all accounts Portland does want him back as well as Utah. He himself in an interview said he feels obligated to explore options with Portland since they’re paying for his rehab but for his family’s sake he’d also consider Utah.
Ingles would be great for any team but he’s going to be out for a good chunk of the season. He tore it in late January. Recovery from an ACL is 9 months if you’re lucky and most likely around a year.
Gallo is not much of a defensive guy I’m a hawks fan so I seen him play a lot he will shock you some games and make like 8 three pointers . He’s a really good scorer and free throw shooter.
When Celtics can’t score, Gallinari could. And he shoots threes! Like us! On defense there must be a way for a 6’10” guy with years of experience to work. Celtics wanted Danilo Gallinari awhile back. I’d take him. Go Celts!
He’s not being signed to play defense. 20 minutes off the bench to get instant offense is what he’d be wanted for.