What veteran players might the Boston Celtics target with the taxpayer MLE?

The Boston Celtics have a limited range of tools at their disposal to build a team for their upcoming 2021-22 campaign given their rising payroll and lack of cap space it will create as they almost certainly end up a taxpaying team. But one tool they can use to add talent in free agency despite such a likely status is the taxpayer or mini mid-level exception (MLE), which will come in at about $5.9 million next season.

We previously outlined how the Celtics might choose to use that tool to bring on youth that will fit the age curve of a young, rising team. But there’s at least as good of an argument for bringing on some veteran voices to help keep the locker room on an even keel after a tough season in 2020-21 led to some disappointing outcomes for Boston.

Let’s review some of the players who might fit such a description.

Nemanja Bjelica - forward

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

Bjelica could function for Boston as a stretch four able to help the second unit's offensive punch with the ability to spot start at either frontcourt position in a pinch. What you won't get with the Serbian sharpshooter (a career 38.7% from deep) is much in the way of defense, which may make him a less-than-ideal option for a team that struggled with its identity on that end of the ball last season.

Patty Mills - guard

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

New head coach Ime Udoka's ties to the San Antonio Spurs might be a good selling point to a wily veteran floor general who might make more than the mini MLE on the open market. But as with Bjelica, Mills' defense is something of a question given his size at 6-foot-1. Do his offensive capabilities make him worth the targetability of the Australian on defense? Perhaps, but he's certainly worth a call.

Rudy Gay - forward

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

While a very long time indeed has passed since Gay was a Connecticut Husky, he can still help a team at a high level, and has been filling a position of need for the Celtics quite readily with the Spurs in recent years. He put up 11.4 points, 4.8 boards and 1.4 assists in 21.6 minutes per game in San Antonio last season while shooting 38.1% from deep, making him one of the better veteran options Boston could get to shore up an area they need some help in.

Kelly Olynyk - forward/center

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Old friend Kelly Olynyk may have played himself out of Boston's spending range, but should he find himself disposed to lose a little salary to make a return to a familiar workplace and fanbase, he'd be a solid fit as well. While he works much better as a 5 in today's NBA, his shooting and passing makes him playable with Boston's other big men. We won't hold our breath for this one, but the narrative would certainly be a lot of fun, and the fit solid if not ideal.

Ish Smith - guard

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Another guard whose size makes him a liability on the defensive end of the court, Smith's passing and slashing provide two things Boston could certainly use more of. His career lack of long-distance shooting is concerning as well, though he has managed to boost that rate to 36.7% over the last two seasons with the Washington Wizards. This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook! [lawrence-related id=54337,54331,54314,54305] [listicle id=54307]

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