Written by Ryan Nolan at The Sports Quotient
Throughout the year, people always anticipate the upcoming offseason, and then the following offseason. Fans love to fantasize about what their team can do because anyone with $30 million in cap space has a shot at LeBron James or Kevin Durant. However, realistically, they are going nowhere unless something drastically changes.
One way for the Boston Celtics to prepare for the upcoming offseason is to analyze their own free agents. There are six players set to hit the free agent market, including two team options on forward Amir Johnson and Jonas Jerebko. Tyler Zeller and Jared Sullinger are about to hit restricted free agency, meaning they can receive offers but the Celtics can match any offer. The highest paid Celtic, forward David Lee, has an expiring $15 million salary this season and will be an unrestricted free agent along with fan favorite Evan Turner.
With almost $50 million in cap room next year, Danny Ainge will have quite the resources to resign his own, attract a high profile free agent, or trade for a star.
As one of the biggest steals from Ainge’s trades (aside from Brooklyn’s picks), Tyler Zeller will look to get paid after an impressive 2015 season.
After rejecting an extension prior to the October 31st deadline, Zeller still wants to sign on this summer, but only at the right price. After seeing John Henson sign long term with the Milwaukee Bucks, Zeller’s next contract could resemble the 4 years/ $44 million that Henson signed. Both boasted similar numbers last season with Zeller averaging 10 PPG and 5 RPG and Henson averaging 7 PPG and 5 RPG.
One of the most interesting aspects of the two team options for Johnson and Jerebko is that they are both non-guaranteed. The Celtics have a couple options. First, they could trade them to a team seeking salary cap relief and receive picks as compensation. Second, they can decline both options totaling $17 million in cap space, or they can pick up the options and have both play-out their contracts in a one year deal.
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