Top 15 Boston Celtics Taxpayer MLE Targets

The Boston Celtics are extremely more likely to be a luxurious tax workforce this coming season. Boston has (or will as soon as they totally assure Al Horford) over $149 million in assured wage on their books for the 2022-23 season. That’s simply over the projected luxurious tax line of $149 million for subsequent season.

Now, being over the tax line isn’t what determines which Mid-Stage Exception (MLE) a workforce will get. That’s really being over the tax apron that makes that willpower. That quantity is simply north of $155 million.

So, it’s technically doable, if inconceivable, that Boston will open the offseason with the Non-Taxpayer MLE of $10,349,000. The problem? Spending any quantity out of the Non-Taxpayer MLE that’s north of the equal to the Taxpayer MLE of $6,392,000 triggers the arduous cap.

Boston isn’t going to arduous cap themselves. That will take away an excessive amount of flexibility, together with utilizing most of their large $17.1 million Traded Participant Exception. Thus, we’ll assume the Celtics will both really solely have the Taxpayer MLE of $6.4 million, or that they’ll be restricted to solely utilizing that quantity.

One thing vital to notice: As a result of buying a participant through sign-and-trade additionally triggers the arduous cap, that’s not in play for the Celtics this summer season. Anybody they signal this summer season might be a straight signing through the MLE or a minimal deal.

With all that in thoughts, listed here are 15 gamers Boston may goal with the Taxpayer MLE.

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1. T.J. Warren – unrestricted free agent – Indiana Pacers: It’s been virtually two years since we’ve seen Warren play in an NBA sport. After dominating within the bubble, Warren was shut down simply 4 video games into the 2020-21 season after which missed everything of the 2021-22 season attributable to a left foot harm.

The excellent news? Warren is totally cleared to play once more. He may have performed on the finish of final season, however with the Pacers prioritizing ping pong balls, there was no motive for Warren to play.

When Warren final did play, within the bubble season, he was large. He scored 19.8 factors per sport on 53/40/82 taking pictures splits. Clearly, when wholesome, Warren can actually fill it up.

May he get greater than the Taxpayer MLE? Presumably. However this could be a “show it” kind of season for Warren. Show he’s wholesome and price a much bigger deal subsequent summer season. No higher place to do this with than off the bench for a title contender the place you’re an ideal match.

2. Bruce Brown Jr. – unrestricted free agent – Brooklyn Nets: Had drama torn aside the Nets, Brown may need been actually gettable for the MLE. Now, that could be tougher to drag off. He’s an ideal match for Brooklyn, simply as he could be for the Celtics. Possibly being a Boston native may assist swing issues, however Brown could be out of the Celtics wage vary with the Nets more likely to convey again most of their key contributors.

3. Nicolas Batum – unrestricted free agent – LA Clippers: Batum is more likely to re-sign with the Clippers, however the Celtics had been one of many groups talked about as having curiosity within the veteran combo ahead. Batum may fill a serious want as a 3/4 for Boston. He’s a keen ball-mover, stable defender and respectable outdoors shooter. If LA will get in any respect stingy, or Batum needs a barely larger position than the extremely deep Clippers can supply, the Celtics needs to be within the combine.

4. Gary Harris – unrestricted free agent – Orlando Magic: Harris is form of a forgotten man, as he spent the complete 12 months toiling out of sight in Orlando. However Harris rediscovered his shot whereas with the Magic. His rugged body additionally permits him to play up a place and guard anybody 1-3. He’d be a very stable slot in Boston’s switch-everything defensive scheme, whereas offering some taking pictures off the bench.

5. Kyle Anderson – unrestricted free agent – Memphis Grizzlies: Anderson has lengthy been the apple of Celtics followers eyes. His sport would slot in nicely in Boston. He’s additionally acquired Spurs connections with Ime Udoka. One problem? Anderson has by no means actually been an excellent shooter. And he’s not an enormous scorer. That goes towards a few Brad Stevens’ said areas that Boston wants to enhance.

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6. Otto Porter Jr. – unrestricted free agent – Golden State Warriors: If Porter will get priced out in Golden State, Boston ought to positively make a name. He’d fill the swing ahead want, whereas giving the Celtics that bench scoring punch and taking pictures they’re been on the lookout for. Well being is at all times a query mark, however Porter made it by way of a protracted title run with the Warriors with out many points final season.

7. Caleb Martin – restricted free agent – Miami Heat: We’re stepping into the true wing part right here. Martin had a breakout season with the Warmth, as he developed right into a stable 3&D participant. Miami doesn’t have any type of free agent rights for Martin, so matching a deal for him may get difficult. The Taxpayer MLE could possibly be in play from the Warmth too, however they produce other precedence free brokers as nicely. That makes Martin doubtlessly a stealable participant.

8. Cody Martin – restricted free agent – Charlotte Hornets: When you can’t get Caleb, why not seize his brother Cody? Not solely are they equivalent twins, however they’ve very comparable video games too. Cody Martin has additionally turn out to be an excellent 3&D participant. Charlotte can match any deal, however there are rumors the Hornets are nervous about funds. That makes this Martin twin one other doubtlessly stealable participant.

9. Chris Boucher – unrestricted free agent – Toronto Raptors: Boucher may fetch greater than the Taxpayer MLE, however it’s doable that might be an overpay. For Boston, he’d form of slot in that candy spot on the Taxpayer MLE. This can be a little bit of an upside play. It’s not that Boucher is younger, however you’re betting that he will get again to being the man who completed all the pieces across the rim whereas taking pictures 38% from three and blocking photographs on the opposite finish in 2020-21. If sufficient groups see Boucher because the man who fell off in all areas final season, then he could be gettable at Boston’s MLE.

10. Isaiah Hartenstein – unrestricted free agent – LA Clippers: The Clippers are capped out at providing Hartenstein the Taxpayer MLE, identical as Boston is. That ranges the taking part in subject. He’d be a backup in each locations too. However another 12 months in LA and Hartenstein would have Early Hen Rights. If Ivica Zubac was to maneuver on, Hartenstein could possibly be arrange for a pleasant pay day in 2023 from the Clippers. If LA sees it otherwise, Hartenstein could be a super backup heart for the Celtics.

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11. Nicolas Claxton – restricted free agent – Brooklyn Nets: It seems to be just like the Nets are principally going to run it again, however their possession has made feedback about making an attempt to minimize the tax invoice subsequent 12 months. That would make Claxton doubtlessly gettable for the MLE. He’d strictly again up Rob Williams, however Boston would have the middle place set for years to come back with gifted younger gamers.

12. Gary Payton II – unrestricted free agent – Golden State Warriors: There’s some perception the Warriors could be choosing between Payton and Otto Porter Jr. Whichever one the champs don’t re-sign, Boston needs to be in on the opposite one. Payton would slot in completely within the Celtics defensive scheme and his off-ball work as a cutter would do wonders for Boston’s offense.

13. Ricky Rubio – unrestricted free agent – Indiana Pacers: This one could be pandering to Celtics followers a bit…Rubio confirmed final 12 months that he can nonetheless play, however he’s coming off a torn ACL. At greatest, he’ll be able to play midseason. So, a part of the deal is ready that out. Rubio can also’t shoot. In any respect. Not even slightly bit. And he’s going to be 32 years outdated. However he’s nonetheless an elite passer and stable defender Is that basically definitely worth the MLE, contemplating you must wait?

14. Delon Wright – unrestricted free agent – Atlanta Hawks: Don’t let Wright’s counting stats final season idiot you. He barely acquired to play for the Hawks final 12 months, for causes solely recognized to Atlanta and Nate McMillan. Wright has turned in a number of sturdy taking pictures years in a row now and he’s stable defensively. If the Celtics desire a combo guard that leans extra in direction of being some extent guard, Wright could be a terrific possibility.

15. Taurean Prince – unrestricted free agent – Minnesota Timberwolves: If Boston actually needs a combo ahead and so they strike out on the higher gamers, Prince isn’t a foul fallback possibility. He’s traditionally been a dependable catch-and-shoot man on three-pointers. That’s in all probability how most of his photographs would come for Boston. He can get in slightly bother when he tries to do an excessive amount of off the dribble, however general, Prince is fairly stable.