3 Players Celtics Can Sign to Try and Catch up to the Bucks in the East

The NBA trade deadline came and went and the Boston Celtics, though linked with some big fish leading up to the cutoff, unsurprisingly stood pat.

While fans in Beantown would love to give general manager Danny Ainge the benefit of doubt, it's becoming more and more apparent that the Celtics roster doesn't quite measure up with that of the Milwaukee Bucks, who sit atop the East with a league-best 44-7 record.

Well, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. only got stronger in the last 24 hours, as they are expected to sign veteran forward Marvin Williams following a buyout from the Charlotte Hornets. That got us thinking: who could Boston potentially sign on the buyout market bolster their roster ahead of the All-Star break?

3. Bobby Portis

Bobby Portis' addition might not get Celtics fans up on their feet, but he would have a chane to add to the team. Though he's played reasonably well in limited minutes for the Knicks, he doesn't have much of a future in the Big Apple. Through 52 games, Portis is averaging 9.4 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 43% from the floor and 35% on threes. The Arkansas product isn't a game-changer, but he's an athletic stretch big man, something Boston's roster could use.

2. Tristan Thompson

Following their trade for Andre Drummond, the Cavaliers now have the headache of rotating him, Tristan Thompson, and Kevin Love in the frontcourt. That seems strange considering that Cleveland is apparently tanking the season. Since there's clearly no buying out Love's colossal contract, the Cavs should absolutely considering parting ways with Thompson. The 28-year-old big man is averaging a double-double (11.9 points, 10.9 rebounds), and that's the kind of production the Celtics need to complement their strong guard and wing play. Thompson's grit and tenacity would fit in nicely in Boston, as he provides a dimension Enes Kanter and Daniel Theis just don't.

1. Isaiah Thomas

Believe it! Thomas was traded to the Clippers this week in a three-team deal with the Wizards and Knicks that saw Marcus Morris land in Los Angeles. It's fully expected that the Clips part ways with Thomas, however, and the Celtics should promptly pounce. Romeo Langford has impressed in the last few weeks, but does Brad Stevens really want to rely on a largely unproven rookie down the stretch and into the postseason? Heck no. Enter IT, who previously thrived in Stevens' system and is presently averaging 12.2 points and nearly four assists while shooting a career-best 41.3% on threes. Getting over the emotional scars of his original departure won't be a snap, but you cannot underestimate how overjoyed the fans at the TD Garden would be to welcome back their guy.