Target for the Celtics was a division rival worth $16 million.

There is one roster place open for the Boston Celtics for anyone to take. They can sign someone directly or make a deal to fill that vacancy. Thaddeus Young is one of the few possibilities available to them; he could go either way. NBC Sports Chris Forsberg of Boston outlined the reasons the Celtics ought to investigate the experienced Toronto Raptors player.

“Young, who turns 36 in June, has the kind of background that may make him a strong depth option for a contender. He has nine years of postseason experience with four different teams, according to a report by Forsberg published on January 29. “Most importantly, he can play both big-man positions and has a high basketball IQ, which could be especially appealing for a Celtics team that needs to push Kristaps Porzingis and fellow octogenarian Al Horford to the finish line of the season.”

The Celtics’ most likely option to acquire Young, according to Forsberg, would be through a buyout.

“Boston has a difficult situation with Young’s $8 million salary, unless Toronto takes back a number of contracts at the end of the summer. If Young hasn’t already been acquired by a competitor, a buyout would be a more desirable post-deadline course, according to Forsberg. “His addition would be like adding P.J. Brown to a team that wants to win a championship.”

Young is currently in the second year of a $16 million, two-year contract. With the trades of Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby this season, the 16–30 Raptors have undergone significant transition. A veteran like Young has little purpose on the Raptors roster as they prepare for a rebuild.

Kelly Olynyk of the Celtics is “Known to Interest”: Report

The buyout market may present the Celtics with alternatives to Thaddeus Young. The Celtics are reportedly considering Kelly Olynyk, who NBA Insider Marc Stein suggested as a possible buyout target.

In a column published on January 29, Stein stated, “As an example, Kelly Olynyk of Utah, who is known to attract interest from Boston and other contenders, would be eligible to sign with any of those teams if he parted ways with the Jazz via buyout because he’s earning $12.2 million in Salt Lake City.”

No information has surfaced suggesting that the Jazz intend to trade for Olynyk or that they will buy him out. If the Jazz decide to buy him out, Olynyk is a very desirable target. Having played for the Celtics under Brad Stevens and with Jaylen Brown and Al Horford, he is acquainted with the team.