The Celtics just lost the NBA Finals, and while some teams would rest on their laurels, the Celtics looked to improve immediately. They noted that their bench was an issue in the Finals and wanted more players to compliment Jayson Tatum. GM Brad Stevens went to work and made deals for solid role players that fit the C’s system. I think that there will be a shakeup on the bench and maybe even in the starting lineup.
Starting Five
PG: Marcus Smart
Even though Boston signed Malcolm Brogdon, Smarts starting point guard spot is safe. He adds a menacing defensive presence as he won DPOY this past season averaging 1.7 spg. He also isn’t a selfish player. Smart averaged 5.9 apg last year which doesn’t jump off the stat sheet, but he gets the ball in the hands of players like Tatum or Jaylen Brown so they can make plays.
SG: Malcolm Brogdon
This right here is what the Celtics gave up to acquire Malcom Brogdon, who was a member of the 50-40-90 club in 2019.
Essentially nothing. Some would even call it highway robbery. The Celtics sent Daniel Theis, Aaron Nesmith, Nik Stauskas, Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan, and a 2023 first round pick in exchange for the 29 year-old Brogdon. Brogdon fits well in the Celtics system if they’re looking to go small ball. Bump Brogdon into the starting five, move Brown to the three, and Tatum to the four. Last season, he only played in 36 games, but averaged 19.1 ppg and 5.9 apg. I’m ridiculously pumped about this addition.
SF: Jaylen Brown
Bumping Brown to the three is definitely a bit unconventional, but it’ll work. He’s 6’6 and shot 36% from three this season. By moving Brown to the small forward spot, you take the ball out of his hands in a good way; he won’t have to dribble as much. He was very sloppy in the post season averaging 3.4 turnovers in the NBA Finals, most coming off the dribble. He’ll be a great fit at small forward and will be a tough matchup for opposing defenders because of his explosive first step.
PF: Jayson Tatum
Tatum is the Celtics crown jewel and can play anywhere from point guard to power forward. This won’t be much of a challenge since the young star has no issue creating his own shots. Not much more you can say about Tatum because when he’s good, the Celtics are good.
C: Robert Williams III
While I believe Williams is an offensive liability, he makes up for it on the defensive end. Maximizing his minutes and getting the most out of him is what Udoka needs to keep doing. This past season, Williams averaged 2.2 BPG, 0.9 SPG, and 9.6 RPG. While his scoring maybe a bit of a detriment, he doesn’t need to drop 20 a game for Boston to win as he has three other starters that can score at will in Brown, Brogdon, and Tatum.
Bench
PG: Derek White
I loved Derek White in the playoffs. I also hated Derek White in the playoffs. All I want from him is to be consistently sufficient. I don’t expect him to put on a three point clinic or drop 20 assists, but I’d like him to just up his averages a bit from this past season. White averaged 11.0 ppg and 3.5 apg. His minutes will definitely be limited as the C’s now have Smart and Brogdon who can run point, but he’ll be a good player to run the backup unit.
SG: Payton Pritchard
Pritchard has been a pleasant surprise the last two seasons. After being drafted 26th overall in 2020, he assumed a spot on the bench and has been very efficient in limited minutes. His play improved so much that he saw even more time this past season where he averaged 6.2 PPG, 2.0 APG, and 1.9 RPG. In addition to that, he’s another guy opposing teams will have to worry about from behind the arc. Pritchard shot 41.2% from deep last year.
SF: Grant Williams
Grant can play either the three or four, but will fit best off the bench as a beefier small forward. He’s a weapon beyond the arc shooting 41.1% from deep. He won’t light up the stat sheet for you, but he plays efficient and clean basketball. He averaged 7.8 PPG and 3.6 RPg last season and if he can just up those numbers in the slightest bit, then Boston won’t have any qualms throwing their bench in in a tight game.
PF: Danilo Gallinari
While I bashed the Spurs for acquiring Gallinari in the Murray trade, I’m going to be a complete homer and say this signing is good. Maybe it’s my bias, but I do believe that the 2 year, 10 million dollar contract they gave him could work out. While he is older, Gallinari played in 66 games last season. He shot 38.1% from three while averaging 11.7 PPG and 4.7 RPG. He’ll be efficient off the bench in a somewhat limited role, hopefully better than Enes Kanter.
C: Al Horford
I love old man Al, and at 36, he was one of the Celtics top postseason players. You could use him in the starting lineup, but if you did this then you wouldn’t have a sufficient big off the bench. Horford has the ability to stretch the floor and has a sneaky quick first step. Last season in his return to Boston, he averaged 10.2 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 1.3 BPG. It’s great to have him back, but we just don’t know for how long.
