Celtics Can Clear $34 Million Cap Space, Target 3 Restricted Free Agents

The Boston Celtics are facing the prospect of losing Kyrie Irving and Al Horford in free agency this summer with both players set to opt out of their deals and become unrestricted free agents. But general manager Danny Ainge is relaxed and admitted Monday that he is excited by the prospect of going into the offseason with the flexibility of having many opportunities.

Irving and Horford’s exit will give the Celtics $25.8 million in free cap space but they have the ability to increase it to $34 million if they renounce the rights to all their free agents like Terry Rozier, Daniel Theis and Brad Wanamaker. The increased cap space will give them a fair run at the unrestricted free agent and trade markets going into the offseason.

However, according to Yahoo Sports’ Keith Smith, the Boston franchise could be looking to go on a different route and could make a play for the restricted free agents entering the market on July 1. Malcolm Brogdon, Thomas Bryant and Tomas Satoransky are said to be the three players on the Celtics radar.

The Celtics do not have all the power when it comes to signing the trio. The Boston franchise can make an offer and reach an agreement with the player, but will have to wait to see if the incumbent team will match the offer. It is likely to take a substantial offer from the Celtics for a team to pass up on a chance of retaining the player, especially if they regard him a future prospect.

Milwaukee Bucks’ Brogdon played an important role for his team as they finished top of the Eastern Conference and made it to the playoff finals before losing to eventual champions Toronto Raptors. He averaged 15.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists and is regarded a versatile defender, which makes it highly unlikely that his current employers will pass up an opportunity to match any contract offer from interested teams.

Bryant and Satoransky are said to be easier options for Celtics to sign owing to the Washington Wizards’ high salary figure, according to NBC Sports Boston. The report also claims that the former could be a cheaper alternative at center following the departure of Aron Baynes and the impending departure of Horford.

Meanwhile, Ainge revealed that the team is preparing for the upcoming free agency and already has an idea of their capabilities in the market and the players that will fit well with the Celtics system. He revealed that most of the homework has been done but there will be many conversations as they look to make additions in the coming weeks.

"We have a really good feel for all the players in the league, who they are and how they might fit with us and our needs and so forth," Ainge said, as quoted on Sporting News. "I wouldn't say a lot more homework, but we will have a lot of conversation. That's probably the biggest thing, just to get organized as we possibly can for all the possible scenarios in free agency."