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5 Remaining Free Agents Who Could Help The Celtics

By Brian Robb, CBS Boston

BOSTON – It may feel like the Boston Celtics have had a very busy offseason, but the truth is Danny Ainge has only signed one free agent on the open market thus far in Al Horford. Understandably, the Durant pursuit, a crowded roster situation, and six rookie draft picks bears some responsibility for keeping Ainge mostly idle on the free agency front to this point. However, as trade rumors involving the Celtics and big names begin to fizzle, there's still some work to be done to shore up the 2016-17 roster if Ainge can't find a home run deal.

With a couple of key rotation members headed elsewhere (Evan Turner to Portland, Jared Sullinger to Toronto), rebounding and shooting remain a couple essential areas of need, particularly on the wings and frontcourt. The vast majority of the free agents left on the open market are flawed players (hence their availability) but a couple could serve as wise gambles for Ainge to fill out the bench on short-term deals.

With that in mind, let's survey the landscape and find some potential fits for the green if bigger fish can't be acquired via trade.

Alan Anderson

Alan-Anderson-2
Alan Anderson. (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Position: SG/SF
Height: 6-6
Age: 33

Overview: As recently as two years ago, Anderson was an integral member of a Brooklyn Nets' playoff squad as a sixth man and trusted wing defender. That shifted last season when a botched ankle surgery cost Anderson all but 13 games of his 2015-16 season with the Wizards. The swingman will be looking for a chance for redemption in 2016 and serving as a potential replacement for Evan Turner could be an appealing assignment in Boston. Anderson shoots the ball well enough from 3 to keep defenses honest (34.5 percent career) and would allow Brad Stevens to have the option of bringing along Jaylen Brown slowly out of the gate.

Gerald Green

Gerald Green
Gerald Green. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NBAE via Getty Images)

Position: SG/SF
Height: 6-7
Age: 30

Overview: Could Green's career come full circle? Signing the player Ainge drafted back in 2005 with the No. 18 overall pick would make for a fun story, but Green's firepower might also help Boston's second-team offense. He averaged 15.8 points over just 28 minutes per game for the Suns just two years ago and his outside shooting range (36.1 percent career shooter from 3) would be a nice spark for a more defensive-minded second unit. Guards like Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier could also help cover up Green's defensive deficiencies as well. When you're talking about low risk, high upside potential out of remaining free agent candidates, Green could be at the top of that list on a one-year deal.

J.J. Hickson

JJ Hickson
J.J. Hickson goes for a rebound against the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Age: 27

Overview: Boston's frontcourt is pretty crowded at the moment, but one thing it is desperately lacking is a reliable rebounder. Horford is on the decline in that area, Amir Johnson, Kelly Olynyk and Jonas Jerebko are all average rebounders at best and it's unclear whether Jordan Mickey has the bulk needed to hold his own at the NBA level. Hickson would provide Stevens with an option on the rebounding front when needed against bigger frontlines. He grabbed 24 percent of all available defensive rebounds for the Wizards and Nuggets last season, putting him in the top 40 in the NBA in that category. For comparison, no current Celtic finished in the top 100 last season. Hickson lacks shooting range and is an overall minus defensively, but he would still be a bargain addition on a cheap contract for his rebounding ability alone.

Jordan Hamilton

Jordan-Hamilton
Jordan Hamilton. (Photo by Chris Covatta/NBAE via Getty Images)

Position: SF
Height: 6-7
Age: 25

Overview: Few players on this list would provide the Celtics with both of their needs (shooting and rebounding) but Hamilton would address both adequately for a small forward. He's bounced around to four teams during his five NBA season, yet he'd still be one of the better 3-point shooters (35.7 percent career) on the Celtic roster immediately if he was signed. He rebounds extremely well for his position and would be a nice depth pickup to add some insurance behind Jaylen Brown.

Chase Budinger

Chase-Budinger
Chase Budinger. (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)

Position: SF
Height: 6-7
Age: 28

Overview: Budinger is hoping for a career reboot in 2016 after an ugly campaign with Indiana and Phoenix last season in which he shot 27.9 percent from deep. Prior to 2015, Budinger was a reliable marksman from 3-point range (35.2 percent) and has generally been considered a high IQ player that could fit in well with Stevens' pace-and-space offense. The Celtics have already reportedly reached out to him in free agency, so look for him to be a potential fallback option if other trade alternatives don't come through.

Brian Robb covers the Celtics for CBS Boston and contributes to NBA.com, among other media outlets. You can follow him on Twitter @CelticsHub.

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