Boston and the NBA buyout market: a much too-early look

While it will be wise for the Boston Celtics to keep one eye fixed on the developments taking place in the NBA trade market ahead of the Mar. 25 deadline, a team with the sort of title aspirations ought to keep the other eye focused on the potential players who could hit the league’s buyout market as well.

And with that in mind for a number of contending teams, The Athletic’s Zach Harper floated a fairly long list of potential candidates the Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and other teams in the mix for the 2021 title ought to be keeping tabs on.

Which among this list of possible soon-to-be-free-agents should the Celtics be looking out for? Let’s take a look at some of the better options for Boston from the players who Harper thinks might get cut loose before the playoffs.

Garrett Temple - guard - 6-foot-5

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Currently with the Chicago Bulls, Garrett is a career 35% 3-point shooter able to provide some offense off the bench.

Wayne Ellington - shooting guard - 6-foot-4

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Currently a Detroit Piston, Ellington is hitting an absurd 53.6% from deep, and while he's likely to cool considerably, we think that speaks for itself.

Trevor Ariza - small forward - 6-foot-8

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Under contract (but not playing for) the Oklahoma City Thunder, a wing with size is exactly what Boston could use off the bench -- as noted by Boston Sports Journal's Brian Robb on the latest "Celtics Lab" podcast.

Otto Porter - forward - 6-foot-8

Omar Rawlings/Getty Images

Take Ariza and make him younger and a more deadly shot, and you get Otto Porter; he might not get bought out, but should be priority No. 1 for Boston if he is. This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook! [jwplayer xqd27SOs-z6KDnl0B] [lawrence-related id=45989,45988,45985,45980] [listicle id=45966]