The NBA season is two weeks away with the first games premiering December 22nd. The Boston Celtics will have their season opener the following day against the Milwaukee Bucks. Boston is assigned to one of the Christmas day games against the Brooklyn Nets. This game will be the return of Kyrie Irving to Boston since his departure.
The Celtics have had a lot of turnover since they last appeared in the TD Garden. The team focused the shift onto rising stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The biggest roster change the team dealt with was the departure of Gordon Hayward. Hayward declined his $34 million extension to stay with the team and signed a four $110 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets. The once heavily sought after forward did not leave Boston high and dry, as the signing became another sign and trade. In return for Hayward, the Boston Celtics received the largest trade exemption in the league’s history.
The Trade Exception
The Celtics now have a $28.5 million exception that can be used in another trade. The team however will stay put with their current roster. The trade exception will only be used this year if the team is underperforming. This asset is very valuable as it can obtain another star player to team up with Tatum, Brown, and Kemba Walker. What is expected from this exception is a last resort move to the season. If the ship starts to sink with players regressing or the team riddled with injuries, the Celtics could look into a trade that brings another star to Boston. This should be a last resort for the team. With Hayward gone, the younger role players now have the opportunity to shine. This could be monumental for Boston as one of the young core could turn into another star, just as Brown and Tatum had done.
Aaron Nesmith, Robert Williams, Grant Williams, or even Tacko Fall could blossom into a valuable piece. These players now have opportunities that they did not have last season. Playing on a contending team, with minutes being freed up due to roster moves. Danny Ainge should keep hold of that trade exception as a means of a panic button. If things go wrong before the trade deadline, everyone should see the team looking to move Walker and that trade exception for another superstar that can help Tatum and the Celtics win now.
What to Expect from the Stars
What is expected of this Boston team is major progress in their young talents. Tatum before the Orlando Bubble was in the MVP conversation. Brown was controversially not an all-star last season, despite being amongst the best at his position. Both players will need to take another step forward though, but not in production. The team is a 50-win contender with these two as the main catalysts. However their leadership is what needs to be taken to a higher level. Last season we saw Brown become more vocal off the court.
Brown is universally loved by everyone in the league for his vocal leadership. The players in Boston have had nothing but praise for Brown. But on the court Brown can take a step back and let others control the game emotionally. If Brown can become a more visible leader to the team when on the court, the Celtics could become a real contender. The same ideology goes to Tatum. Tatum was a very vocal leader last season. But there were times in games where he let Walker or Hayward control the game. If Tatum can turn into a leader such as Jimmy Butler or LeBron James, the Celtics will be the most feared team in the league.
What to Expect from the Bench
Younger talents such as Robert Williams and Grant Williams need to take a bigger step than most other players of their age. Both Williams had important roles throughout the season and playoffs. But the production needs to be increased. If they want to keep their roles on a contending Boston squad they will need to improve their scoring attributes. Grant Williams was one of the better three-point shooters in the league. He is a very underrated shooter at the power forward position. Grant needs to become more confident in shooting more three-pointers. He attempted only one and a half threes in a game. With the increase in shot attempts, Williams could end up being a key factor in close games. If he is able to force defenders to guard him on the perimeter, the spacing of the Celtics would increase mightily. Which would, in turn, be able to give him more opportunity
Robert Williams now has Tristan Thompson as a mentor. A gritty defender and rebounder during his time in Cleveland. Thompson should be able to help Williams offensively as well. Williams is a very efficient scorer. Although his game relies too much on dunking the ball and standing layups. Thompson is a solid post scorer, and can teach Williams some advanced footwork that could get him to the basket more smoothly.
The Celtics underperformed last season. But with another season riddled with a unique experience, this young Celtics team should see high improvements. They were nothing less than a third seed in the Eastern Conference when finishing the season. The goal of this team is to win now, and form a dynasty with the young core. Boston is a contender, not only in the Eastern Conference but in the whole NBA. The Finals should not be just a hopeful goal, but an obtainable one with their current roster.
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Main Credit Image: Embed from Getty Images
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