NBA Rumors: Boston Celtics Could Pursue D'Angelo Russell, Malcolm Brogdon To Replace Kyrie Irving

The Boston Celtics are going to look like a very different team in the 2019-2020 NBA season. Kyrie Irving and Al Horford are expected to sign elsewhere in free agency, and the team agreed to trade Aron Baynes to the Phoenix Suns during the draft.

Losing those players means Boston will have money to spend in free agency. The Celtics currently have $25.8 million in salary cap space, though they could have around $34 million to spend if they don’t keep unrestricted free agent Terry Rozier.

Letting Rozier walk would give Boston enough money to sign a max free agent. The Celtics aren’t considered to be players for the top available stars like Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard, though there’s a chance they’ll replace Irving with one of this summer’s most sought-after restricted free agents.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted on “Get Up” Friday morning that Boston might target D’Angelo Russell or Malcolm Brogdon.

Boston is now sitting at $25.8M in room (factoring in the Terry Rozier hold) after trade with Phoenix. Could increase to $34M without Rozier.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 21, 2019

So… Celtics trade #20 to the Sixers for #24 and #33, then trade #24 and Aron Baynes to the Suns for the Bucks’ 2020 first-round pick (top-7 protected, then unprotected in 2021). Their max cap room now increases to $34.8M.
— Albert Nahmad (@AlbertNahmad) June 21, 2019

The Brooklyn Nets are expected to sign Irving to a max contract and let Russell walk in free agency. The Milwaukee Bucks probably plan to keep Brogdon, but they might not match a lucrative offer that’s made to the guard.

Khris Middleton is Milwaukee’s No.1 priority in free agency, and the Bucks might be forced to give him a max contract. Milwaukee could pass on keeping both players, since re-signing Middleton and Brogdon would likely put the team well above the luxury tax threshold.

Brogdon averaged 15.6 points per game and joined the exclusive 50/40/90 club last season.

It would certainly be interesting if the Nets and Celtics essentially made an unofficial Irving-for-Russell swap. Irving is an established star with a championship ring and a history of knee injuries. Russell made his first All-Star team in 2019, but he’s four years younger than Irving.

A max contract would pay Russell $27 million next season. Irving is set to make more than $32 million in the first year of his max contract.

The Nets could sign both Irving and Durant and become the favorites in the East.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday that Boston could also be players for free agent Nikola Vucevic.