Unexpected :Knicks Players Troll Isaiah Hartenstein For For Joining The OKC Thunder…

Knicks stars troll Isaiah Hartenstein for joining the OKC Thunder

Three unlikely veterans who could chase rings with Celtics
Three unlikely veterans who could chase rings with the Celtics
By Adam Taylor | Last updated 7/5/24
The Boston Celtics have one open roster spot. Brad Stevens has spent the opening weeks of free agency securing the future of his team’s core rotation. As a second-apron luxury tax team, the Celtics can only offer potential free-agent additions a veteran minimum contract.

Fortunately for the franchise, it can use its status as reigning champion to entice veterans to leave money on the table in the hopes of competing for a championship.

Here are three veterans who could take a significant discount to fill Boston’s final roster spot.

Aiyuk claims 49ers ‘don’t want me back’
Doug McDermott
McDermott split his time between the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers last season. Entering his age-33 season, he remains one of the best movement shooters in the NBA. He would instantly provide competition for Sam Hauser in Boston’s second unit. The two sharpshooters could also work together on the court.

Joe Mazzulla’s Celtics team takes and makes a ton of threes. Floor spacing is at the core of everything the team does well. McDermott earned $14 million last season. He would need to take a significant pay cut to join the Celtics, but if he values potentially hitting free agency as a champion next season and would accept a minimal role, he would be a strong fit within the rotation.

Gordon Hayward
Hayward’s previous tenure with the Celtics didn’t go to plan. A serious injury he suffered during his 2017 debut hindered his time with the team and he has never been the same player since recovering. However, following a disastrous spell with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he could be tempted to rejoin Boston in the hope of finally winning a championship.

Hayward provides a multi-faceted skill set and would instantly emerge as a leader of the second unit. He is close with Brad Stevens after their time together at Butler. If he is willing to eat a one-year veteran minimum deal, Hayward would be a smart addition to round out the roster.

ball with verve so that new opportunities can be created on offense, and so much more.

Hartenstein’s admirable play and character will be missed in New York
May 19, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) reacts during the third quarter of game seven of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The 26-year-old did all of those things and then some, including in the 2024 playoffs. His teammates took note of it and Hartenstein also did his part to forge a harmonious culture among his troops. He raved about Precious Achiuwa’s performance against the Miami Heat on Jan. 27 while he worked his way back from an Achilles injury. Egos were kept low throughout the year in the Knicks’ frontcourt ranks, so much so that featured center Mitchell Robinson openly declared that he’d be open to a bench role behind Hartenstein at a critical juncture of the season.