Offseason 2014: The Beginning Of Project "Boston"

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The Boston Celtics are crumbling faster than the Boston Red Sox in 2012, currently standing with a 13-24 record leaving them 4th in the abysmal Atlantic Division, and what should be on the minds of all Celtics fans should be the offseason. The Boston Celtics have flexibility possessing $18 million to spend, and even though this will not end of the rebuilding project, the Celtics can further them ambition to be a playoff team in the god-awful East over the course of the offseason. Here's a breakdown of potential targets.

Danny Granger: Granger, 30, has been nothing short of underachieving during the Indiana Pacers 2013-2014 campaign, and has definitely not looked close to the man that consistently put up 17 ppg, and 5 rpg in past seasons. But as the saying goes, "One man's trash is another mans treasure." The Boston Celtics currently possess the depth of Gerald Wallace and Keith Bogans behind standout forward, Jeff Green, changes will need to be made and with Granger probably willing to accept a deal in the region of $5 million, Green and Granger could form a formidable duo manning the three spot.

(Kirby Lee - USA Today Sports)

Xavier Henry: With the Boston Celtics having MarShon Brooks in and out of the lineup, they are still in search for a two who can come on and provide a massive scoring spark off the bench, and with Jordan Crawford potentially leaving this offseason, it may be smart to retool in the offseason as well. Xavier Henry is the perfect replacement. Henry, 22, is a product out of Kansas, and has been tearing it up in Los Angeles for the Lakers thus far in the 2013 - 2014 campaign. Henry has been averaging 10.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, and 1.2 apg, and could conduct a deal around $3 million this offseason, but it would be well worth it.

Marcin Gortat: With the Celtics lacking a true center in Kelly Olynyk and Vitor Faverani, it would be smart to cement that position in the offseason, and the player that should come to mind is Marcin Gortat. Gortat, 29, has been a spark for the Wizards as he has averaged 12.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg, and 1.5 bpg over the course of the 2013 - 2014 campaign. Gortat could prove to be a massive addition to the Celtics, and the pick and roll combination that he could develop with Rondo could be one similar to the Nash - Amar'e combination in the classic Phoenix days. Gortat would be the most expensive addition coming in at $7 million this offseason.

Greg Monroe: Don't act like you didn't know this was coming... Monroe is a restricted free agent this offseason and a potential sign and trade could be on the table here. With Paul Pierce's trade exception, as well as Courtney Lee's, the Celtics could essentially give Monroe the big money contract he wants, and with Detroit not wanting to give him the extension that would keep him in MoTown, the Celtics should be players for him. Greg Monroe has been great for the Pistons this season averaging 14.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, and 1.9 apg as the fourth option on the team. Imagine what he could do as the second or third option...

Gordon Hayward: Danny, the creator of PFTP, likes this offer way more than me, but it's still a possibility. Hayward is a restricted free agent at the end of the regular season, so any offer he gets from an outside team, the Jazz can match. The Celtics, who would love to have Hayward for his 3 point shooting and playmaking ability, would have to offer him a huge, multi-year contract. If the Celtics got Hayward, they would be much closer to exiting the so called rebuilding process. Hayward, 23, played under coach Brad Stevens at Butler University, so their relationship would be very interesting. Hayward is the best realistic option for the Celtics in the 2014 offseason. The idea of the Celtics signing Hayward was brought to the world by Bill Simmons in a "B.S. Report" podcast.

Those acquisitions would leave the Celtics with very little money to spend on some other potential targets. Those small targets could include Vince Carter, C.J. Miles, Mike Scott, Al Harrington, Chris Kaman, or Ramon Sessions.