One of the most frustrating yet entertaining Celtics seasons is done in 7.
What does the future look like for the Cs?
I left TD Garden last Saturday, hoping for a cinematic Game 7 victory, yet, from the nosebleeds, I descended, incredibly disappointed in my team.
A questionable starting lineup and a dominant performance from freshly operated-on Joel Embiid sent the Celtics to Cancun much earlier than expected.
Sitting on the T, my mind could only drift to trade machines, mock drafts, and free agents.
Let’s analyze a realistic future for the Celtics and give a general idea of what to expect next season.
Free Agency
The Celtics luckily do not have major assets hitting free agency. The following players have team options: Dalano Banton, Neemias Queta, Ron Harper Jr., Jordan Walsh, Amari Williams, and Max Shulga. I feel confident that Queta, Walsh, and Harper Jr. will get picked up, and most likely Williams as well. As for Banton and Shulga, both played poorly in garbage time (take that as you will) but truly provided no sense of upside. Go ahead and pick it up for depth, sure, but they do not intrigue as depth pieces.
Credit: Boston Celtics-Twitter/XVucevic will hit unrestricted free agency, and I have many thoughts concerning his future. The center position is the biggest hole to be filled this offseason, yet Vucevic should not be the option. He did not record a single minute in the pivotal Game 7. This trade aged horribly, as someone like Anfernee Simons would have fit right in this rotation.
Will Brad Stevens Shake It Up in the Trade Market?
Per usual, the media cyclone has circled a Jaylen Brown livestream in which he called this season the favorite of his career despite the early exit. People have always been hunting for excuses to ship off the former Finals MVP for unjust reasons. But now, more than ever, the trade feels more likely. He has finally gotten a taste of being the first option and will now hunt for that feeling again. To parallel the Brown story is the swirling Giannis trade, which perfectly matches Brown’s salary. A swap seems beneficial for both sides, but I am concerned with the fit between Giannis and Tatum.
But if you can trade for Giannis, you trade for Giannis.
Derrick White and Sam Hauser should also be on the trading block. Derrick White is an extremely valuable all-around player, perfect for statistic-focused coaches. He should go somewhere where he does not have to play make. I like the idea of Denver as a homecoming for the former Buffalo. Hauser is a perfect plug-and-play sniper who is coming off a rough season but is a consistent 40% shooter. I like him to Orlando or Detroit, but if Brad didn’t want to keep him in the conference, San Antonio or Portland could use another 3-and-D guy.
What to Expect
Based on Brad Stevens’ last press conference, I got the vibe that we are going to shake it up.
I expect Brown to stay, but if he truly wants to remain a first option, a trade request will send shockwaves through the association.
Come back next week for a Celtics mock draft with a shocking take for their first overall pick.
