The NBA champion Boston Celtics can (and can) deliver again the core of their workforce subsequent season. The most important distinction shall be championship expertise and the additional confidence increase that comes with it. Primarily based on that data alone, I’m not anxious in any respect about this offseason.
With that stated, Brad Stevens (the magnificent wizard that he’s) nonetheless has a great deal of work to do earlier than he can go on trip and actually take pleasure in himself.
If you’re a sicko like me, there’s at all times subsequent yr and the yr after that. So right here’s a fast primer on some choices and deadlines forward for the Celtics this offseason.
The NBA Draft is subsequent week! (June 26-27)
This draft is being talked about as one of many worst drafts in current reminiscence. There’s going to be high quality gamers in any draft, however the high finish is supposedly devoid of any sure-fire high prospects. Oh effectively, the Celtics decide is quantity 30 and the lottery is another person’s downside.
Now, with the wage constraints (extra on that later), you could possibly make an argument that nailing draft picks is vital to sustaining a expertise pipeline on the workforce. That’s truthful, however I wouldn’t rule out the Celtics dumping their first spherical decide as a result of it’s a assured multi-year contract for a man that received handed over 29 instances.
I wouldn’t be shocked in any respect if Brad pulls a Belichick and trades again into the 2nd spherical or for future picks. I do suppose that they could attempt to take a swing or two on 2nd rounders or undrafted free brokers. Discovering the subsequent Sam Hauser can be fairly neat.
Give Tatum all the cash
#Celtics F Jayson Tatum is eligible to signal a 5 yr, $314.8M extension this summer time, which might assure him $349M over the subsequent 6 seasons.
2025-26: $54M2026-27: $59M2027-28: $63M2028-29: $67M2029-30: $72M
(based mostly on a $155.1M wage cap)
— Spotrac (@spotrac) June 18, 2024
No brainer. I hope Jayson Tatum shall be a Celtic ceaselessly.
Lengthen Derrick White
The Celtics need to prolong White’s contract to maintain him in Boston. White appears to love it in Boston. They simply have to return to phrases on a quantity that is sensible for everybody. Get it executed.
Our Free Brokers
A brand new rule permits NBA groups to start negotiating with their very own free brokers as quickly because the NBA Finals are over.
Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman are unrestricted free brokers. Oshae Brissett has a participant choice. The Celtics have workforce choices on Sam Hauser and Neemias Queta.
Briefly, there are some shifting items on the again finish of the roster. Some choices shall be simpler than others.
Search for ring chaser free brokers keen to play for peanuts
The Celtics received’t have a lot cash to throw at free brokers. In order that they’ll must depend on excessive upside tasks and ring chasers. The one identify I can consider off the highest of my head is Gordon Hayward. Maybe his outdated coach will persuade him to take a spot on the bench backing up his former teammates. He didn’t appear to slot in that function in OKC. Or maybe accidents have simply taken a cumulative impact on him. Nonetheless, it could be value a flyer for the minimal.
Throw out another names within the feedback beneath if suppose they’ll be (fairly) obtainable for the minimal. No, I don’t suppose LeBron is coming right here, even when we draft Bronny.
Assistant Teaching Workers
In case you missed it, Mazzulla’s lead assistant Charles Lee is taking a brand new job to educate the Charlotte Hornets. Additionally, Jeff Van Gundy had been serving as a advisor and is now becoming a member of the Clippers workers. My guess is that Sam Cassell will transfer into the lead assistant function. They’ll most likely nonetheless attempt to add to the workers in some unspecified time in the future.
Summer season League (July 12-22)
Jordan Walsh! Jaden Springer! J.D. Davison! Draft picks that you simply’ve by no means heard of earlier than! Get excited!
The Olympics (July 26-August 11)
Jayson Tatum and Jrue Vacation shall be there. There’s a rumor that Derrick White may substitute Kawhi Leonard on the roster. USA! USA! USA!
Long run CBA impacts
John Hollinger has an in depth take a look at this matter over on the Athletic. Right here’s a blurb.
Boston is in nice form to face up to the worst depredations of the newest collective bargaining settlement, at the very least for another season. Whereas revisions within the 2023 settlement make it more and more tough to maintain collectively championship-caliber rosters like this one, Boston has positioned itself for a multi-year run through good contracts and well timed trades, regardless of having two of the league’s most costly gamers at its core.
What occurs sooner or later? Briefly, actually, actually excessive tax payments for the house owners and ever limiting penalties to groups within the 2nd apron (frozen draft picks, restrictions on trades and free brokers, and so on.).
However that’s an issue for an additional day as a result of banners fly ceaselessly and we now have an opportunity to run it again once more.
Within the meantime, benefit from the parade on Friday!
