BOSTON — Brad Stevens spoke for the primary time because the Celtics signed Jrue Vacation to a contract extension on Tuesday, holding an impromptu press convention 5 days from the NBA Playoffs.
Forward of a important second for the franchise, he praised the job Joe Mazzulla did this 12 months, defined why Boston acted now to retain Vacation long-term and expressed optimism towards protecting his again courtroom mate Derrick White in inexperienced.
“I can’t discuss a lot with issues that we’re not allowed to debate till July 1,” Stevens stated. “However Derrick has had an incredible 12 months. Derrick is a big, large a part of our group and we wish him round for so long as we are able to hold him round.”
The Celtics and Vacation agreed to a four-year, $135 million extension earlier this month after the guard grew to become eligible for a brand new deal on Apr. 1. White and Boston can’t negotiate till the summer season, when he’ll turn out to be open to a brand new deal by way of the tip of his present one, which expires on the finish of the 2024-25 season.
That two-year window restricted the urgency to shut on a contract final summer season, and CBA limitations (permitting him to signal for roughly 4yr, $120M) may hinder efforts to lock up White this summer season. Contemplating Stevens and White’s feedback over the previous 12 months, motivation appears to exist on each side to maintain him round.
First, this group should affirm its capacity to win, the Vacation extension partially an effort to increase the group’s window within the close to future. A mix of repeater tax and second apron penalties will make it tough to maintain the Celtics collectively yearly starting in 2025-26, when Jayson Tatum will inevitably start an excellent max extension with Boston.
That raised questions on White’s future with the group. Stevens thought of the Vacation transfer a bridge between Vacation’s two-way influence he offers and the mentorship he’ll proceed to offer the group’s youthful gamers like Jordan Walsh. The entrance finish of the deal may additionally assist in protecting the group’s starters collectively.
“Jrue got here right here, joined our group and all he tried to do is add to win. For a man who’s as completed as he’s, that’s as used to extra utilization, extra reps, extra touches,” Stevens stated. “All that got here into play was what sort of a teammate am I being and may I assist us win? … additionally the truth that he can play off the ball and be as efficient as he’s been, I simply suppose it reveals one other layer of what a man can do … as you have a look at an individual like him and you concentrate on the long run of a gaggle, you suppose, clearly, you want actually good gamers and guys that may play on each ends of the courtroom. You additionally need those that younger gamers can look as much as and he’s an individual they need to look as much as, and positively do look as much as.”
Stevens didn’t take into account a 64-win season a given regardless of the expertise Boston introduced into camp. He positioned credit score for that, partially, on Mazzulla’s capacity to instill a message to a group able to enjoying on that stage at each ends. The group’s need to be a part of one thing larger than themselves, he stated, additionally performed into that and have become apparent within the opening days of coaching camp. So the fourth-best 12 months in franchise historical past didn’t shock him, he solely wished to emphasize how tough it’s to get there.
The playoff run might be tough too, he asserted, starting spherical one whether or not Boston attracts Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago or Atlanta following Wednesday and Friday’s play-in spherical. He expects the combo of playoff expertise and a few of the freshness youthful gamers deliver to their first postseason run as essential too. Payton Pritchard tasks to step into a major playoff bench function for the primary time in his profession to complete his fourth NBA season.
Stevens additionally defined the group’s choice to signal Neemias Queta to the fifteenth roster spot. A transfer that doesn’t mission to influence the postseason a lot, however thought of him one other younger bench piece that may enhance into the longer term and assist maintain an more and more costly roster. When requested, his description of possession’s dedication to spend hasn’t modified. Inexperienced gentle. No matter it takes.
As for rumors he may return to school to fill potential openings in his residence state of Indiana, Stevens smiled and laughed.
“I don’t get into any of the rumor stuff,” Stevens stated. “I bought a heck of a chance right here. We’ve been right here 11 years now and gotten an opportunity to see this group do a whole lot of cool issues and go a good distance. Our objectives have been the identical since we moved right here. We’d wish to recover from that hump. So I’ve bought a lot sufficient to do proper now quite than take into consideration all that.”
