ANALYSIS
Taking everything into account and disregarding common sense, I really hope the Celtics can hold this squad together for one more season, even if it means, say, 46 victories and a lackluster final push.
Even without Jayson Tatum for the majority of next season, if not all of it, and with the team’s chances of winning a championship now in the past, it’s unfortunate that this likeable core group of players can’t work together a little bit longer.
What is that? Naturally, this is a sentimental statement. Absolutely. As if you were unaware, Tuesday marked the one-year anniversary of the Celtics’ Game 5 victory over the Mavericks, which secured Banner 18.
Many of us saw the highlights of that championship run this week, and for those of you who haven’t seen them, I can assure you that it was the ideal way to put the past season behind them and focus on their accomplishments.
When some of the players from that squad unavoidably leave for other NBA destinations this offseason, I will miss seeing that team as well as the guys themselves.
The Celtics shouldn’t alter, in my opinion. However, they have to. The NBA moves quickly, and a punishing new bargaining agreement will force teams to close their championship windows even sooner than they were previously.
The Celtics, who are around $20 million over the second tax apron—a term that we would all rather never hear—must make changes now or risk even worse penalties, including ones that impact roster construction, in the future.
Even if Tatum hadn’t injured his Achilles during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Knicks, it probably wouldn’t have been feasible to stand pat. Whatever happened, the bill was due.
However, there is one strong comfort.The Celtics’ president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, is more than just a pragmatic person. Since going from the bench to the front office four years ago this month, he has demonstrated himself to be an excellent talent assessor and deal-maker, making him a more than deserving successor to Danny Ainge.
We will now get the opportunity to observe him as he cooks.
I’m interested to watch how Stevens handles this, even though I’ll miss any 2023–24 champion who leaves this summer.
One thing is for sure: if and when he makes a big move, nobody will be expecting it until it’s either already happening or about to happen. Considering how his front office functions, I don’t expect a protracted build-up of tension or any leaks around what they might do. I expect to be taken by surprise.
The Celtics have benefited from each of Stevens’ major trades, beginning with his first, in which he acquired Al Horford and terminated Kemba Walker’s contract.
Yes, that includes the deal that sent Malcolm Brogdon to the Pacers in a package with Aaron Nesmith, a fantastic shooter who has mastered the art of colliding with opponents. A year later, Brogdon brought Jrue Holiday here, and Holiday assisted in hanging the newest banner.
However, Stevens’ level of difficulty has never been higher. Any general manager who knows the franchise’s tax situation will be attempting to entice talent away at a reduced price.
That might be Holiday, who appears most likely to move on due to his age, contract, and attraction to potential candidates. Sam Hauser might be the one, as his extension has unpleasant tax ramifications. If one club chooses to view his 2024 highlights on YouTube instead of the somber footage of his 2025 playoff performances, it may mean Kristaps Porzingis.
Derrick White does everything right and should be a part of Tatum’s on-court support system when he returns, so it would be extremely unexpected if Stevens traded him. However, Stevens will at least need to consider it if there is a Desmond Bane-style deal that includes four first-round picks, a pick swap, and a handful of valuable players.
How about Jaylen Brown? He would be difficult to trade in a number different ways. The only team that could accept his money without returning it was the Nets. And it matters that he understands and values Boston.
However, Stevens must take it into account if a team like the Spurs or Rockets makes an alluring offer. Watching the video of the 2024 Finals and seeing how much more explosive Brown was during that series compared to this one, while playing through a partially torn meniscus, was startling. Maybe that explosiveness comes all the way back because he had surgery. However, these playoffs may offer a preview of Brown’s potential as a player as his athleticism begins to decline. He will undoubtedly be a terrific player, but as he ages, he will need to improve his efficiency. I doubt that he will.
In the draft the following week, the Celtics will also have selections 28 and 32. During his career, Stevens has only selected one player in the first round, selecting Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman 30th overall the previous season. Stevens needs to make good use of the selections this year for a squad that will need some young, inexpensive talent to emerge, and Scheierman appears to be a quality player. To reiterate, I would love for them to find a way to sign Asa Newell of Georgia, Cooper Flagg’s vivacious colleague at Montverde Academy.
The unflappable Stevens will soon start to influence the Celtics’ future. I will definitely miss the talented players who will not be included in such plans. However, I’m eager to see who he selects to replace them.
