The Celtics became one of the busiest NBA teams this summer when they made several moves to boost their NBA 2023 odds in the 2023-24 campaign.
They started their crazy offseason by trading Marcus Smart to the Grizzlies. A few days later, they made another trade that sent Grant Williams to the Mavericks.
Fans in Boston had mixed reactions to these moves, particularly for Smart, who has been a pillar of this team for the last nine seasons.
This begs the question of whether the Celtics are now well-equipped to finally bring home Banner No. 18. Without further ado, read more below as SBOTOP examines the Celtics’ offseason thus far.
Celtics won the trades, but at what cost?
Adding Kristaps Porzingis was a big boon for the Celtics because of his size and ability to swat and knock down shots, but it cost them Marcus Smart in the process, who is the team’s heart and soul.
The original trade was supposed to be between the Celtics, Clippers, and Wizards. The Celtics would get Kristaps Porzingis, while the Clippers would acquire Malcolm Brogdon, and the Wizards would have Marcus Morris, Amir Coffey, and the 30th overall pick in this summer’s draft.
It was all set up until the Clippers backed out in the last minute, citing Brogdon’s checkered injury history despite winning the Sixth Man of the Year award after playing in 67 regular season games – the most since his rookie campaign in 2016-17.
The Grizzlies became the third team to replace the Clippers. In the new deal, Memphis received Marcus Smart, while the Wizards got Tyus Jones, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, and the 35th overall pick in this summer’s draft, and the Celtics had the 25th overall pick, a 2024 first-round pick, alongside Kristaps Porzingis.
Last week, the Celtics engaged in another three-team transaction that would send Grant Williams, a key bench player, and two future second-round picks to the Mavericks in a sign-and-trade. Williams, a restricted free agent, will reportedly get a four-year, $54 million deal in the process.
In return, the Celtics got themselves three second-rounders from the Mavericks (2024, 2025, and 2028), while the Spurs acquired Reggie Bullock and an unprotected 2030 first-round pick swap (via Mavericks).
This move was basically to shed more salary while adding to their war chest of draft picks. Boston also created a $6.3 million traded player exception (TPE) in the process, which helps facilitate future deals.
The Celtics are reportedly not done yet
After trading Marcus Smart and Grant Williams, there have been reports in the NBA 2023 news that the Celtics are positioning themselves for a “seismic” trade soon.
There have been rumours that the Celtics are considering bringing in Damian Lillard, who put in a trade request, as they inquired about what it would take to get him.
But Lillard made it clear that he wants to play for the Miami Heat, as he feels that he’s the missing piece of their championship puzzle. So when asked about joining the Celtics, he seemed uninterested in the idea.
Boston can offer a great package for Portland compared to Miami, but it looks like they’re just doing their due diligence rather than getting involved in a bidding war.
Brown yet to sign his extension
The Celtics also made more key signings this offseason in Jordan Walsh, Dalano Banton, and Oshae Brissett, but the top priority of locking down Jaylen Brown for the future remains.
Though the negotiations are taking a while, it seems that both parties are going to get a deal done. Brown is eligible for a five-year, $295 million supermax extension, and he reportedly wants a player option for the final year of the contract.
Should Brown not get the deal that he wants, he could opt to play out the final year of his current deal and enter unrestricted free agency next offseason, but no other team will be able to offer him as much money as the Celtics can.
His co-star, Jayson Tatum, is also eligible for a five-year, $318 million supermax extension at the end of the 2023-24 season. If both of them signed their supermax extensions, they would earn a combined $613 million in the next few years.
Because of the new collective bargaining agreement, the Celtics face a tough task of balancing their financials while forming a roster that can compete for the title.
So far, they have taken steps in the right direction with their recent moves, and it feels like GM Brad still has more up his sleeve.
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