The NBA champion Boston Celtics can (and can) carry again the core of their group subsequent season. The largest distinction might be championship expertise and the additional confidence enhance that comes with it. Based mostly on that info alone, I’m not frightened 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 12 months and the 12 months after that. So right here’s a fast primer on some selections 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 latest 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 drawback.
Now, with the wage constraints (extra on that later), you might make an argument that nailing draft picks is vital to sustaining a expertise pipeline on the group. That’s honest, 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 obtained handed over 29 occasions.
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 assume that they might attempt to take a swing or two on 2nd rounders or undrafted free brokers. Discovering the following Sam Hauser could be fairly neat.
Give Tatum all the cash
#Celtics F Jayson Tatum is eligible to signal a 5 12 months, $314.8M extension this summer time, which might assure him $349M over the following 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 might be a Celtic perpetually.
Prolong Derrick White
The Celtics need to lengthen White’s contract to maintain him in Boston. White appears to love it in Boston. They simply have to come back to phrases on a quantity that is smart 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 possibility. The Celtics have group choices on Sam Hauser and Neemias Queta.
In brief, there are some transferring items on the again finish of the roster. Some selections might be simpler than others.
Search for ring chaser free brokers prepared to play for peanuts
The Celtics gained’t have a lot cash to throw at free brokers. So that they’ll need to depend on excessive upside tasks and ring chasers. The one title 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 position in OKC. Or maybe accidents have simply taken a cumulative impact on him. Nonetheless, it is perhaps price a flyer for the minimal.
Throw out another names within the feedback under if assume they’ll be (moderately) accessible for the minimal. No, I don’t assume 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 guide and is now becoming a member of the Clippers workers. My guess is that Sam Cassell will transfer into the lead assistant position. They’ll most likely nonetheless attempt to add to the workers sooner or later.
Summer season League (July 12-22)
Jordan Walsh! Jaden Springer! J.D. Davison! Draft picks that you just’ve by no means heard of earlier than! Get excited!
The Olympics (July 26-August 11)
Jayson Tatum and Jrue Vacation might be there. There’s a rumor that Derrick White may exchange Kawhi Leonard on the roster. USA! USA! USA!
Long run CBA impacts
John Hollinger has an in depth have 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 latest collective bargaining settlement, not less than for yet one more season. Whereas revisions within the 2023 settlement make it more and more troublesome to maintain collectively championship-caliber rosters like this one, Boston has positioned itself for a multi-year run by way of 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? In brief, 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 one more day as a result of banners fly perpetually and we have now an opportunity to run it again once more.
Within the meantime, benefit from the parade on Friday!
