Boston Celtics
“I am simply going to inform you that I have not heard any materials true discussions.”
Because the Celtics mull potential personnel modifications in the course of the offseason, there was no scarcity of rumors about strikes they might make.
The Celtics have been no stranger to large strikes throughout Brad Stevens’s time as president of basketball operations. Boston traded Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Vacation final low season. They dealt Marcus Sensible and Malcolm Brogdon in separate offers earlier than that.
After blowing a 3-1 first spherical playoff collection result in Philadelphia, may the Celtics be in for extra drastic personnel modifications?
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst mentioned he hasn’t heard something in regards to the Celtics’ stars being made obtainable on the commerce market.
“I do know there was hypothesis as to whether or not they may make a change to their large three and positively that’s been a subject of dialog and one thing you could debate if you happen to’ll think about,” Windhorst mentioned throughout an look CLNS Media’s “The Garden Report.” “However, I’m simply going to inform you that I haven’t heard any materials true discussions.”
“Perhaps somebody has known as on Jaylen Brown, however I haven’t heard one iota about Jaylen Brown being really obtainable or Derrick White being obtainable.”
The loss to Philadelphia makes it three of the final 4 years that the Celtics have been eradicated by a lower-seeded workforce.
The exits have gotten barely earlier every time, with the Celtics dropping to the No. 8 seeded Warmth within the 2023 Japanese convention Finals, the No. 3-seeded Knicks within the 2025 convention semifinals, and the No. 7-seeded 76ers within the first spherical of those playoffs. Jayson Tatum ended all three of these collection with accidents.
The exception, after all, was 2024 when Tatum stayed wholesome and the Celtics beat Dallas within the NBA Finals.
“I might say that it’s a confirmed commodity that Jayson and Jaylen and Derrick White are a championship trio. They’re beneath contract, large contracts completely, it’s some huge cash and their flexibility is impacted by that. However, Brad Stevens has proven excellent participant personnel. They’ve the [Anfernee] Simons commerce exception that they will use.”
“He has repeatedly made excellent participant personnel strikes and I’m certain there’s an inventory of issues that they’re taking a look at, however after they emerge from this summer time they should have extra gamers within the rotation that they will belief, particularly on the large man place.”
Stevens mentioned throughout his end-of-the-year media availability that the Celtics want so as to add a participant who could make an influence on the rim. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the league in factors within the paint per recreation final season whereas taking pictures higher than 60 % from the sphere.
In the meantime, the Bucks will most likely need extra than simply draft picks, and the Celtics have gamers that might be intriguing for Milwaukee.
“I can see why that’s one thing that folks go to as a result of Milwaukee doesn’t management their draft choose for the following few years, and so which means a teardown with a commerce that’s all primarily based on draft picks doesn’t make sense for them as a result of they don’t management their very own picks.
“Not solely that, however the anti-tanking guidelines make sinking to the underside not possible. So, while you’re seeking to make a commerce, you’re going to desire a high quality participant who’s beneath contract. As a result of the factor about Giannis that’s an enormous issue right here is that this isn’t nearly a participant who possibly doesn’t match there anymore, it’s a few participant with a contract challenge. Giannis has one yr left on his contract.”
Whereas it occurred in a very totally different sport, the Rams’ commerce for Myles Garrett gives some perception into what the Bucks could also be in search of in a potential Antetokounmpo deal as a result of Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam can also be a principal proprietor of the Cleveland Browns, Windhorst mentioned.
The Browns acquired two-time Professional Bowl edge rusher Jared Verse, together with a 2027 first-round choose, a 2028 second-round choose, and a 2029 third spherical choose in change for Garrett.
“That’s their franchise participant who had been there for 9 years. Very similar to Giannis,” Windhorst mentioned. “One of many best gamers within the historical past of the franchise, first-ballot Corridor-of-Famer. They traded him for draft picks and a participant who can assist them proper now who’s beneath management.”
The Celtics may supply an attractive package deal primarily based on gamers and picks, nevertheless it is determined by how far they’re prepared to go and whether or not or not Antetokunmpo can be prepared to signal a contract extension.
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