The Boston Celtics were busy ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline, making four separate moves to successfully duck the luxury tax.

The biggest transaction saw guard Anfernee Simons sent to the Chicago Bulls in a deal that landed the Celtics two-time All-Star center Nikola Vucevic.

Boston also shipped out big men Chris Boucher and Xavier Tillman to the Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets, respectively.

With the deadline passed, New York Knicks insider James L. Edwards III looked at some possible buyout candidates on Tuesday who “might make the most sense” to add to head coach Mike Brown’s group.

Boucher was the first potential add for the Knicks that Edwards discussed.

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“Boucher isn’t perfect. He’s 6-foot-8 and weighs 200 pounds soaking wet. He’s not a physical presence by any means, but he can hit an open 3 and blocks shots. Would he want to come to New York and only play in garbage time or if an injury happens? I’m not sure, especially since time might be ticking on his career and he might want to go to a place where he can try and stick beyond this season.,” the staff writer for The Athletic said. “However, for the Knicks, Boucher would be an upgrade over (center Ariel Hukporti) this season and does have postseason experience, having won NBA titles in 2018 and 2019.”

The 33-year-old played in just nine games for the Celtics this season, averaging 2.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 10.4 minutes per contest.

Edwards also included Tillman and fellow former Boston center Kelly Olynyk as “other names worth considering if they’re bought out.”

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The Celtics acquired Tillman in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies in February 2024 and the 27-year-old posted 2.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 9.2 minutes per game across 67 regular season contests with the team. Tillman earned a championship ring with Boston at the end of the 2023-24 campaign and averaged 1.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 8.6 minutes per tilt over eight games during that season’s playoff run.

Olynyk spent the first four seasons of his career with the Celtics from 2013 to 2017, averaging 9.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 20.7 minutes per contest across 278 regular season games (36 starts) in Boston.

The 34-year-old Canadian has suited up for the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs since departing the Celtics.

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