Wow, what a day. That was one of the epic NBA commerce deadlines ever – which is saying one thing, as a result of just about yearly is bonkers.
You actually can’t look away from Twitter for quite a lot of minutes. Should you do, chances are high you’ll miss some kind of fireworks.
Kevin Durant heading to Phoenix is clearly the most important storyline, however there are a number of different strikes that would considerably have an effect on each the panorama of the league and the Celtics shifting ahead.
Listed below are ten Celtics-centric ideas about what went down:
1) Generally, much less is extra.
Let’s begin with the Celtics themselves. They didn’t do something too loopy, however the fact is, they didn’t should. Bringing in Mike Muscala was the proper low-risk, medium-reward transfer they wanted to make.
Buying and selling for somebody like Jakob Poeltl, Rui Hachimura or Jae Crowder may need been a bit extra splashy, however they didn’t have to make a splash. They wanted yet one more rotational piece who suits their model, and that’s what they obtained.
It’s attainable they’ll add one other, but when they do, it doubtless will not be something loopy.
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2) Do not sleep on Mike Muscala.
Most individuals appear to suppose Muscala will primarily be used within the common season, however I’m not so positive. There aren’t too many legit 7-footers who’re actually glorious shooters.
Muscala will not be one of the best defender of all-time, however he’s a sniper. I’d like to see him with Malcolm Brogdon, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Al Horford, as an example. All 5 guys can shoot the lights out, and defenses have to select their poison.
3) Ought to Phoenix be thought-about the favourite now?
It’s an intriguing thought, however I nonetheless say the Celtics are the frontrunners for the time being. Phoenix technically has extra stars, however Boston has one of the best participant, the higher mix of expertise and extra depth.
Plus, Phoenix has to get by way of a Western Convention that turned far more loaded. Vegas offers the Celtics one of the best odds to win all of it, the Bucks second and Suns third. I’d agree with that order.
If it’s a Celtics-Suns Finals, holy smokes. That might be an all-timer.
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4) Does Jae Crowder assist the Bucks match up higher with the Celtics?
Crowder is among the higher wing defenders within the NBA, and I consider Milwaukee had the Celtics in thoughts after they acquired him. When Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton have to protect Tatum and Brown, they exert a lot power on that finish that it inevitably impacts their offense.
Placing Crowder on one among them might give the Bucks a aggressive benefit. Nevertheless, it’s not sufficient to place them excessive. The Celtics nonetheless have the sting, however the hole obtained somewhat smaller.
5) What’s going to occur to the Nets?
Brooklyn has some nice younger expertise in Cam Thomas, Mikal Bridges, Nic Claxton and Cam Johnson and a few nice veteran expertise in Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, Joe Harris and Patty Mills (OK, Ben Simmons, too).
All that’s lacking is say, one or two generational scorers, and this might be a championship group (sorry, too quickly?). However significantly, don’t depend the Nets out. They’re at present fifth within the East, at 33-22, and are too good to be unhealthy. Sure, they’re rebuilding, however they’re additionally competing.
The Celtics completely owned the Durant and Kyrie Irving-led Nets. Although the “rivalry” may take a step again, don’t depend these Nets out solely. This can be a group that would presumably give Boston a harder battle than many count on in the event that they meet within the first spherical.
Loosen up, chill out. I’m not saying the Nets would win, however I don’t suppose it could robotically be a sweep.
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6) Jalen McDaniels was an underrated pickup.
The 76ers prioritized offense and gave up some protection after they acquired Jalen McDaniels and parted methods with Matisse Thybulle.
McDaniels is a proficient playmaker who ought to see a major position. He’ll get open seems enjoying alongside Joel Embiid and James Harden, and he’s one other dude the Celtics have to fret about.
The 76ers initially seen Thybulle as a dominant wing defender. Whereas he’s an excellent defender, that ability finally wasn’t sufficient to compensate for his different shortcomings in Philadelphia.
7) Is the West higher than the East?
Early within the season, for the primary time shortly, it was honest to say that the East was higher than the West.
What about now? I’d give the slight edge to the West, however I nonetheless suppose it’s fairly shut. The West has extra groups able to successful all of it (Nuggets, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Suns, Clippers, Warriors – sorry, Kings), however the Celtics, Bucks and 76ers have arguably a greater likelihood than any of these groups outdoors of the Suns.
So, the West is deeper, however there’s a strong likelihood the champion comes out of the East after the West groups beat each other up.
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8) Will Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic coexist?
I can’t consider these I’m placing these phrases on paper, however I really suppose it should work – at the very least for this season. After that, one thing will go unsuitable, however for now, I consider they’ll mesh completely on the court docket.
I believe the Mavericks will make the Western Convention Finals. There isn’t a extra proficient backcourt within the NBA, and their position gamers complement their stars very properly. They really may match up higher with the Celtics than every other group (together with the Warriors, in fact).
9) Why did the Cavaliers and Bulls keep quiet?
To me, they appear like two groups which might be near contending however aren’t fairly there.
The Cavs are nearer than the Bulls, and buying one other key rotational piece might have helped them shut the hole with the Celtics and Bucks.
I personally suppose they’ve the most effective younger cores round, so possibly they really feel snug with the place they’re at and the course they’re going. Don’t underestimate Cleveland within the playoffs.
10) How ought to the Celtics strategy the buyout market?
Right here’s a more in-depth have a look at some choices. Will Barton is one of the best participant, however I believe he may need a higher position than the Celtics might give him.
I believe Terrence Ross is essentially the most reasonable possibility for each events. The licensed Celtics killer would offer an awesome prompt the bench. They addressed their want for a backup huge, and nabbing one other backup wing couldn’t damage.
Even in spite of everything this chaos – and whether or not they make one other transfer or not – the Celtics nonetheless management their very own future this season.
