NBA Rumors: Boston Celtics Signing Tyler Zeller

In the NBA, retaining your own free agents is not as exciting as bringing in new faces, but it sometimes is the best move for the franchise. According to CBS Sports, the Boston Celtics are signing Tyler Zeller to a two-year contract worth approximately $16 million. The move provides the Celtics with depth along the front court.

Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has not been shy about telling people in the NBA that he is not done tinkering with the roster. He is still looking to add a third superstar. The contract handed to Tyler Zeller will not prevent Ainge from being able to do that.

There have been some changes to the front court for the Boston Celtics this summer. Jared Sullinger was allowed to walk away as a free agent, even though he was a starter for the Celtics last season. The 6-foot-9 center ended up signing with the Toronto Raptors to replace Bismack Biyombo, as reported by ESPN.

Report: @Celtics re-sign Tyler Zeller for 2 years, $16M with second season as a team option https://t.co/HUdr224boo pic.twitter.com/gtdhRU4FPv

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) July 23, 2016

A big reason why the Boston Celtics were willing to let Jared Sullinger walk away was because they were able to snag the second largest prize in free agency. Al Horford was willing to walk away from the Atlanta Hawks so that he can wear the legendary green jersey.

Tyler Zeller should be a pretty good fit with Al Horford. Offensively, Horford has developed into a three point shooter, so he can clear out and allow Zeller to operate inside the paint. Defensively, Zeller is an excellent rim protector, so he can alleviate that burden from Horford.

Though management likes him a lot, the second year of the contract for Tyler Zeller contains a team option, as reported by ESPN. That means that the Boston Celtics can move on next season if they feel that they can find a better option, such as Jahlil Okafor of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Tyler Zeller will also serve as an insurance policy for Kelly Olynyk, who is still recovering from shoulder surgery. Olynyk is reportedly not going to be ready by the start of the regular season, so Zeller could receiving a spot in the rotation for the Boston Celtics.

Danny Ainge likes to collect assets, and the signing of Tyler Zeller could be part of that plan. If the Boston Celtics can showcase the 7-foot center during the first couple of months of the season, then he could have another trade piece when the deadline looms in February.

One of the reasons why Tyler Zeller decided to return to the Boston Celtics was because he did not generate a ton of interest from other teams in the NBA during free agency. The 26-year-old felt compelled to take the option that was on the table.

Potential landing spots for Tyler Zeller in a trade include the Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder. The Boston Celtics have reportedly been interested in acquiring Russell Westbrook and Blake Griffin. The $8 million salary by Zeller will come in handy if either of those trades are to be made.

The signing of Tyler Zeller more than likely means that the Boston Celtics are not going to be signing JR Smith. The Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard has been looking elsewhere in the NBA because he has not been offered the $15 million salary that he has been seeking.

Signing Tyler Zeller to a new contract is not going to excite the Boston Celtics fan base, especially those that have been waiting for Danny Ainge to finally bring in that third superstar. However, moves like these were not meant to inspire championship aspirations. They are designed to fill roster spots.

[Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images]