What The Celtics Should Do For 'Love'

With a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals set to take place 24 hours from now, it seems like ‘Love’ is in the air for Celtics Fans. No, it has little to do with the Spurs per say, and it definitely has nothing to do with the hated Heat. It's all about Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love, who happened to be in Boston this past weekend to “check out the city and see what it’s like.”

It may have been a simple short vacation for some, but for most it seemed more like a business trip, with good intentions for the 25-year-old all-star. One could say it may result in a potential deal for the Celtics to acquire the forward in the upcoming weeks. With the C’s having the sixth and 17th pick in the draft, 19-days from now (June 26th), and the fact that Love has made us aware he is very much open to playing in Beantown, how does Danny get this done?

For starters if Kevin were to remain in Minnesota, he has made it clear he plans to opt-out of his current deal, which means he becomes a free agent in the summer of 2015. Flip Saunders could see his best player walk out the door with nothing in return. The Celtics clearly have the best assets (draft picks and young talent) to offer in a possible deal than any other suitors in the league, including the likes of the Lakers, Warriors, Bulls or the Suns. So what would Ainge give in return that would be considered ‘enough’ to make this official?

Some Key Free Agents

With the Draft Lottery four days away the fate of the Celtics is still up in the air. Danny will have his hands full on decisions to make, which include looking at key free agents already on this current roster (Bayless, Humphries, Pressey, and Bradley), and some good players that are available around the league. Besides the LeBrons and Melos that can opt-out, here is a list of candidates I came up with that Ainge should consider come July 1st.

Point Guards:

Rodney Stuckey (14 PPG, 2.2 APG, 44 FG%) 2013-14 Earnings: $8.5 Million

Despite a disappointing 29-53 record for the Pistons, Stuckey was a bright spot in the lineup this season after the previous two lackluster years for the guard in Detroit. He can start and come off the bench, and has been a consistent sixth-man his whole career. He can sub in for Rondo or play with him at the two spot. Rodney definitely is an upgrade over Bayless in my opinion. With Stan Van Gundy as the newest team president and head coach, he might put up a fight to keep the longest tenured Piston in Motown.

Ramon Sessions (10.7 PPG, 4.7 APG, 43 FG%) 2013-14 Earnings: $5 Million

Always been a very serviceable and underrated guard for a long time. Unfortunately he has bounced around the league for the last four years (four different teams). When given the chance he is a good playmaker and shooter. Could be a nice fit behind Rondo and he won't demand much, money wise. Could start or come off the bench, he’s pretty coachable. It’s a win-win if the Celtics decide to bring in a veteran, who can play either guard position for cheap. I don’t think he’s a part of Milwaukee’s long-term plans.

Honorable Mentions: Del Harris, Kirk Hinrich, and Shaun Livingston

Celtics Injury Update: Sullinger, Bradley, Olynyk

Celtics went into Wednesday night against the Hawks with only nine available players.

Keith Bogans continues to earn a paycheck while sitting at home (hang in there bud), and Vitor Faverani missed his 12th straight game, nursing a knee injury.

You can add Kelly Olynyk as the latest victim to catch the injury bug with a sprained toe, which he apparently suffered this past Saturday against the Kings.

He could have fooled us when he scored 21 points, grabbed eight rebounds and handed out four assists in 28 minutes off the bench Monday night versus the Jazz. Word got out two days ago that he would not suit up against Atlanta. Brad Stevens confirmed Olynyk would miss some time.

Celtics workout free agent point guard

The Boston Celtics only have 14 players under contract on the current roster and may be looking to add one more.

According to Chris Haynes of CSNNE.com, despite having very little wiggle room cap wise, Danny Ainge is looking to sign 6'2 point guard Rodrigue Beaubois. The 26-year-old from France worked out with the Celtics yesterday in Waltham.