The Boston Celtics suffered a rough blowout loss on Sunday afternoon (February 8, 2026), falling 111-89 to the New York Knicks at TD Garden in their final game before the All-Star break. The defeat dropped Boston to 34-19 and highlighted ongoing concerns about depth — particularly in the backcourt — after dealing away several bench pieces at the trade deadline.
The good news? The buyout and post-deadline free-agent market could provide a quick fix, and one intriguing name has suddenly emerged as a realistic target: D’Angelo Russell.
D’Angelo Russell’s Situation
Russell was part of the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade that sent him from the Dallas Mavericks to the Washington Wizards. However, he will not report to his new team, per Wizards GM Will Dawkins:
“We’ll try to figure out what’s best for him and for the team.”
League sources and insiders (including Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints) indicate Russell is very likely to be bought out in the coming days, making him an unrestricted free agent almost immediately.
In 26 games with Dallas this season:
- 10.2 PPG
- 4.0 APG
- 2.3 RPG
- 40.5% FG
While the numbers aren’t eye-popping, Russell remains a capable ball-handler with size (6’4″), playmaking vision, and the ability to create his own shot or set up teammates in pick-and-roll situations. In the right system — one that values spacing, secondary creation, and veteran IQ — his ceiling is significantly higher than most other buyout candidates.
Why Russell Fits the Celtics’ Needs
Boston’s backcourt depth has taken hits:
- Anfernee Simons was traded away (for Nikola Vučević).
- Payton Pritchard has been excellent off the bench, but the team lacks another reliable creator/playmaker behind him.
- Injuries and load management have exposed vulnerabilities when the starters rest.
Russell would provide:
- Instant secondary ball-handling and pick-and-roll initiation.
- Floor-spacing (career ~36% from three).
- Veteran presence and low-risk upside on a minimum or near-minimum deal.
- A familiar East Coast veteran who knows how to win (former All-Star, playoff experience).
He wouldn’t be a starter, but he could give Joe Mazzulla a dependable bench option who can run offense in short bursts and keep the second unit from stalling — exactly what the Celtics need to stay elite in the East.
The Timing Is Perfect
- The All-Star break gives Boston time to evaluate needs and monitor buyout candidates.
- Russell’s buyout could be finalized within days.
- The Celtics are still contenders (2nd in East), but they need depth insurance before the postseason grind.
If Russell clears waivers and hits free agency, expect the Celtics to be aggressive. Pat Riley and Brad Stevens have a history of targeting proven veterans who can contribute immediately without disrupting chemistry — and Russell fits that mold perfectly.
Celtics fans — would you welcome D’Angelo Russell on a buyout deal for the stretch run? Do you think he’d thrive in Boston’s system, or is there a better buyout target out there? Let me know your thoughts below — the buyout window is heating up, and Boston could still add a key piece before March.