The Boston Celtics weigh their buyout options

After a surprisingly active NBA Trade Deadline, the Boston Celtics have come full circle, ending up with one vacant roster spot just as they had all season.

This was no oversight; the team intentionally left the 15th slot open for flexibility and to potentially nab the right player in the buyout market.

The Celtics, now 45-12, boasting the best record in the NBA, have a solid lineup. Yet, after welcoming Xavier Tillman and Jaden Springer, they are still open to adding another piece.

Though the trade window has closed, the Celtics can still sign players released by other teams until March 1st, to be playoff-eligible. Given their championship aspirations, they'll likely be selective in their choices.

Conversations around the buyout market are typical, although often fruitless, as the players waived aren't usually game-changers.

This year, the crop is particularly thin, with notable names like Victor Oladipo and Joe Harris still unclaimed.

However, role players like Robin Lopez and Otto Porter Jr., recently waived by the Sacramento Kings and the Utah Jazz respectively, could add value to a contender like the Celtics.

While buyout chatter tends to be anticlimactic, there are instances where released players significantly impact a team.

For example, the San Antonio Spurs acquired Boris Diaw in 2012 after he was waived by the Charlotte Bobcats. Diaw played a vital role in the Spurs' championship run in 2014.

While a transformative pickup like Diaw is unlikely, GM Brad Stevens has a history of surprising moves. So, while the pickings may be slim, there's still a possibility of an unexpected addition to the Celtics' roster.