If the Celtics lose out on the top tier, which players should they target?

[greece66]

//Here are a handful of second-tier free agents the Celtics could target:

Blossoming Young Talents

SG/SF Khris Middleton, 24, Milwaukee, Restricted
The Celtics were one of the worst spot up shooting teams in the league and Khris Middleton would help immediately in that area, as he is a premier catch-and-shoot threat from downtown. He has also been effective hitting shots off screens. Middleton is one of the league’s best wing perimeter defenders, with the ability to switch and defend multiple positions. 

SF/PF Tobias Harris, 23, Orlando, Restricted
Brad Stevens values versatility and Tobias Harris could wear different hats for the Celtics. He’s an excellent shooter and ball handler for his size, and he can run off screens and post up. Harris brings the whole package offensively, and he has performed exceptionally well in clutch moments. But there are questions about his passing; the ball had a tendency to stick in his hands, but that could’ve been a matter of role. His on-ball and off-ball defense is also a weakness, though he has improved.

Established Veteran Starters

C Robin Lopez, 27, Portland, Unrestricted
Robin Lopez isn’t much of a shot blocker, but he’s an excellent rim protector. He makes his teammates better by communicating rotations and by setting the tone with his energy. While the Celtics got better on defense, they don’t have an anchor and Lopez would likely solidify them as a top 10 defense. On offense, he’s not a top option, but he’s a very good screen setter and rim runner.

SG/SF Danny Green, 28, San Antonio, Unrestricted
Green can defend multiple positions and has played lockdown defense at the highest level in the NBA Finals. He’s a deadeye shooter from deep, whether he’s spotting up, or shooting off screens or hand offs. Green hasn’t always responded well to an expanded role, so at this point he might just be who he is: a lethal shooter that does a good job of facilitating offense. Considering his experience, the Celtics could use him, though he might not do much more developing at his age.

Reserves with Room to Grow

C Bismack Biyombo, 23, Charlotte, Restricted
The Celtics already improved significantly as a defensive unit, so paying the max for someone like DeAndre Jordan might not make the most sense financially. Instead, a moderate-cost option could be Bismack Biyombo. He is an elite shot blocker and defensive rebounder, so he fills two needs for the Celtics. Though he doesn’t bring much offensively, he can clean up on the boards and create second chance opportunities.

C/PF Tristan Thompson, 24, Cleveland, Restricted
Everyone thought Tristan Thompson was insane when he declined a four-year, $52 million extension from the Cavaliers, but he could be in for a huge payday this summer. Thompson was Cleveland's MVP of Boston’s first-round series, as he made one huge rebound after another at crucial moments of the game. Thompson is a versatile defender and can switch onto wings, but he hasn’t developed the rim protection abilities that the Celtics may desire.//

Full article by Kevin O'Connor here: http://bostonceltics.about.com/od/Rumors/fl/Rumor-Boston-Celtics-could-target-second-tier-free-agents.htm

UPDATE: Jeff Clarke has also written a piece using the same sources and drawing the same conclusions. A thing that has so far attracted little attention but is noticeable if you pay attention to the wording is that the C's have moved away from the 'trade up' rumours to the 'make space for the four coming picks' rhetoric.
http://www.celticsblog.com/2015/4/29/8519175/nba-rumor-celtics-may-target-2nd-tier-free-agents

[GetLucky]

From what I've heard from other posters, I think the big man Ajinca from New Orleans could be a potential "Reserves with Room to Grow" type.

[Beat LA]

KJ McDaniels.

[greece66]

KJ McDaniels.

I'm adding him. Anyother ppl with requests let me know here or with a PM.
(Might be useful if the ppl who make the nomination added a line or two on why they think the player would be a useful addition, as the commenter above did for Alexis Ajinça.)

[Beat LA]

KJ McDaniels.

I'm adding him. Anyother ppl with requests let me know here or with a PM.
(Might be useful if the ppl who make the nomination added a line or two on why they think the player would be a useful addition, as the commenter above did for Alexis Ajinça.)

Sorry about that.  I just figured that I've posted about him so many times that people would get ticked off if I became a broken record, I don't know, lol.

Anyway, he's an excellent defender, great athlete, pretty good shooter, 6'7", and is actually a very gifted shot blocker, and I wish that we could have gotten him in the draft.  In the likely event that we don't get someone like Upshaw, McDaniels would at least give us someone who can alter and reject shots, lol. I'll post some highlights shortly.

I don't know why the Kobe video was removed, btw.

[brandonmm94]

What about Aminu?

[Beat LA]

There are too many videos, lol , so I'm putting these as hyperlinks, but this one from his college days really sums it up.  He's continued the same style of play in the NBA, btw, averaging 1.3 bpg in 25.4 minutes in 52 games, including 15 starts, for the 76ers (he didn't really play at all after being traded to the Rockets).  When was the last time a wing averaged anything like that?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H3fX8W1T9A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHc92x_Zk1g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7IVGp-EMjg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wSg5LZAlbs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DmEAuT8XC8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0dtXFtU3_0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLl6wr74J9U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyGFATQxC-4


And there's even one featuring our very own billy goat when Clemson played Gonzaga -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf7ALephnY8

[LGC88]

No Monroe? Or you consider him as top tier?

[chambers]

Tristan Thompson is terrible.
Don't mind the other guys though.
Would love Middleton.

[greece66]

Some more things to keep the conversation going.
Just had an exchange with O'Connor on Reddit- he claims that the C's are more likely to go after role players, and especially Thompson or Green. There are two reasons I take this seriously (although I'm no great fan of either player): O'Connor was the guy who predicted IT4 was coming to Boston before anyone even suspected it, and (more seriously ) Jay King too hints that this is the priority of our front office:
//Part of Boston's goal this summer is to improve team depth with an eye on cutting – or eliminating – roles for certain significant contributors to the 2014-15 squad.
Set to have about $20 million or more worth of cap space, plus four draft picks, the Celtics could have ample opportunity to add, at the very least, multiple rotation players. //
Full source: http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2015/04/sources_boston_celtics_prepare.html

Another parameter to add to this conversation is that the chances of getting a real rim protector either through Free Agency or the Draft are slim.
Per WCS, we might not be be able to get him even if trade up, as for Jordan and the rest of the top tier gang it looks more and more like a pipe dream...
So Biyombo could be our best shot at a rim protector.
PS Biyombo's height is 6'9' but his wingspan is 7'6' 
PS2 One more reason I do not like Harris is he rejected a 9 mill per year deal earlier this year.
PS3 A last thing to factor in the Harris/Biyombo dilemma (it's highly unlikely they'll let both go) is who Orlando will draft. Looks like they are interested in Justice Winslow and WCS. If they draft the former they might let Harris go, if the latter Biyombo. 

[Smartacus]

Second Tier Free Agents? How about Third maybe even fourth Tier? I still think Thomas Robinson has yet to show his best basketball.
 
Stuck between somewhere between versatile, defensive, rebounding forward and tweener who doesn't have a position in the NBA, Thomas Robinson is a former NCAA player of the year, who possesses high character and a high motor. After bouncing around the league for the majority of his rookie contract, Robinson found some solidarity in the bottom feeding 76er's rotation. There he's put up 17.6 points and 15.0 rebounds per-36.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMshBunoBO8
Nice Alley Oop at 00:38

Some even theorize he could be a homelesss man Dennis Rodman given his body type and penchant for playing on the perimeter but cleaning the glass, although the author of this article isn't so convinced. http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/10/21/4859308/thomas-robinson-portland-trail-blazers

It's worth noting that Brooklyn tried to pick him up only to be out wavered by Philly. There's a lot to like for the right price, especially if you subscribe to the belief that big man develop at a slower rate than guards. Some may say "But we already have Jae Crowder". This is tentatively true but Crowder can spend the rest of his life in the weight room and will never come out with a build that stacks up to Thomas Robinson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb-8JVvNWJo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhdYpW2ocso

[greece66]

KJ McDaniels.

Per KJ there is a good thread on Reddit.
Here's IMO the best comment by user TheSilverLord
//His value got steamrolled since he got stapled to the bench, so we could get him cheap.
I mean he can't shoot for Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline., but plays his ass off and is a freak athlete. He'd be good Crowder insurance, but if we retain JC not sure KJ would really be worth it//
Full source : http://www.reddit.com/r/bostonceltics/comments/34a21w/kj_mcdaniels/

[cb8883]

This is a bad class. The Celtics have a realistic shot at the third and fourth tier free agents. Get a guy like Robinson as someone else mentioned who is still young and would come to a place like Boston for a shot at playing time. He would probably be an upgrade over Sully right now.

[TheTruthFot18]

I think DA has on eye on Harris and Middleton. I'd prefer Harris, his numbers seem consistent through a trade, injury, and going back and forth from the bench.

I'd also take Lopez. He won't command as much $$ as Jordan/Gasol/LA etc but addresses the need we have.

Thompson looks like a younger slightly more skilled Bass: High minutes but low scoring, no assists, no blocks or steals, and above average rebounding. Might as well keep Bass if Thompson is even considered.

Smart, IT
AB, Young
Harris, Turner
Sully, KO
Lopez , TZ

Not to mention #16 and #28. I think it's a good balance of offense and defense with no glaring holes at any position.

[Birdman]

Noooo to Biyombo...don't know why a lot of ppl always wanted him