NBA Notebook: What options are left for Celtics in free agency after Gordon Hayward's exit?

The Celtics have put themselves in quite the pickle in free agency. Losing Gordon Hayward was a big enough blow, but while the Celtics were waiting for the veteran to decide his future amid trade negotiations with the Pacers, a ton of free agents came off the board in the opening 24 hours of free agency.

Boston’s depth chart is in a tough spot for the moment, especially on the wing. Romeo Langford is out for at least the start of the season as he recovers from wrist surgery. That leaves rookie Aaron Nesmith as the top wing reserve behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Semi Ojeleye and Javonte Green could both be back at this point (non-guaranteed deals) but the biggest need on this roster right now is a small/power forward that can fill some of Hayward’s versatility.

The Celtics will have the full mid-level exception to offer ($9.2 million per year for up to four years) in the wake of Hayward’s departure along with the bi-annual exception ($3.6 million) to try to land some free agents left on the board. They made a run at Paul Millsap on Saturday afternoon but he agreed to stay put with the Nuggets for mid-level money.

UPDATE at 8:30 p.m. ET: Celtics signed Tristan Thompson with their mid-level exception and Jeff Teague to a one-year deal so they only have the bi-annual exception ($3.6 million left) and veteran's minimum deals left.

The bigger question for the immediate future in Boston now is what other names will the Celtics target with Millsap gone as an option? Hayward (when healthy) did a lot of different things for the Celtics and the team will likely want to take it easy with Kemba Walker’s minutes in the wake of his constant knee issues last season.

A look at the C’s current depth chart

Ballhandling Gs (5): Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, Jeff Teague, Payton Pritchard, Carsen Edwards, Tremont Waters (two-way)

Wings (6, 1 non-guaranteed): Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Aaron Nesmith, Romeo Langford (injured), Semi Ojeleye, Javonte Green (non-guaranteed)

Bigs (4): Tristan Thompson Daniel Theis, Robert Williams, Grant Williams, Tacko Fall (two-way)

Here’s a look at what is still out there and some names that may interest the Celtics as they try to fill some big holes on the roster.

POINT GUARDS

Jeff Teague, Shabazz Napier, Reggie Jackson, Jevon Carter (restricted), Brad Wanamaker, Yogi Ferrell, Quinn Cook, Jordan McLaughlin (restricted), Tyler Johnson

Analysis: Look for one veteran to be brought in to battle for minutes with Pritchard and Tremont Waters (if he makes the team). Celtics could simply opt to bring back Wanamaker for continuity purposes. A lot of seasoned older players are on this list but all of them are flawed in some form. Wouldn’t expect the Celtics to spend more than the minimum or bi-annual for anyone. (UPDATE: Teague was the veteran).

SHOOTING GUARDS

Bogdan Bogdanovic (Restricted, out of price range for C’s), Shaq Harrison, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Langston Galloway, E’Twaun Moore, Bryn Forbes, Austin Rivers, Wayne Ellington, Damyean Dotson, Dion Waiters

Analysis: A veteran shooter would be useful unless the front office wants Brad Stevens to hand minutes to Aaron Nesmith and Payton Pritchard no matter what. Working out a sign-and-trade for Bogdanovic doesn’t seem workable given how much money he will command and assets the Kings will want for him in a sign-and-trade scenario. Harrison would be a strong defensive weapon that the Celtics have had an interest in. With Millsap off the table, Caldwell-Pope is probably a top name on this list. Otherwise, it’s hard to see the C’s offering much more than the veteran’s minimum for any of these shooters that struggled on the defensive end (Galloway, Moore, Forbes, etc.)

SMALL FORWARDS

Brandon Ingram (restricted), Kent Bazemore, Wesley Iwundu, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marco Belinelli, CJ Miles, Thabo Sefolosha, Gerald Green, Glenn Robinson III, Torrey Craig, Kyle Korver, Glenn Robinson III, Stanley Johnson, Sterling Brown

Analysis: Bazemore is a sneaky candidate on this list as a wing for a portion of mid-level money that could fit in as a bench sparkplug. Ingram is headed back to New Orleans in all likelihood for a big payday so everyone else on this list is minimum salary guys, in all likelihood. This market was picked pretty bare in the last two days as the Celtics were waiting, which will leave them very thin at the position potentially next year if the rookies aren’t ready to play right away. Craig might be a potential option for defensive depth after the Nuggets pulled his qualifying offer.

POWER FORWARDS

Ersan Ilyasova, Taj Gibson, Markieff Morris, Demarre Carroll, Wilson Chandler, Harry Giles, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Juancho Hernangomez (R), Jared Dudley, Anthony Tolliver, Dario Saric (R)

Analysis: Once again, with Millsap gone, it’s pretty slim pickings. A lot of older and flawed stretch shooters or defensive non-shooters (Gibson, Hollis-Jefferson). Boston could try to bring in Tatum buddy Harry Giles as a low-risk signing if they think he can play some power forward instead of center. Otherwise, the C’s are probably better off giving Grant Williams more minutes than spending anything more than the veteran’s minimum on any of these guys (beyond Millsap).

CENTERS

Serge Ibaka, Nerlens Noel, Marc Gasol, Aron Baynes, Tristan Thompson, Alex Len, Mike Muscala, Ian Mahinmi, Bismack Biyombo, Hassan Whiteside, Dewayne Dedmon, DeMarcus Cousins

Analysis: The deepest position left on the board. The Celtics gave away Kanter since they thought they could get someone else solid for less money to fill the veteran big role off the bench and that still holds true to this point. Boston could use their mid-level exception to go after a better name on this list (Ibaka, Baynes, Thompson, Dedmon, Whiteside) but given Ainge’s track recording of not wanting to spend much on centers, the odds are the C’s use their bigger money elsewhere and use a veteran’s minimum offer to land a name on this list.

Final Thoughts

The immediate chances of remaining a contender do not look great for the Celtics when looking at the potential upgrade options on this list. Boston got to the Conference Finals last year without Hayward but the road next season looks like it will be a lot tougher in the Eastern Conference to get back. There are a few nice options in this bunch (Bazemore, Caldwell-Pope, Saric) but most other guys on this list are not worthy of full mid-level money. The Celtics have the benefit of offering more opportunity than most teams with Hayward gone, but they no longer offer a clear road to contending. Will Ainge and his front office bring in veterans that can provide some depth? Or will they trend towards younger players to grow alongside other youngsters on the roster? Either way, there will be no one coming in that's close to Hayward’s talent.