Celtics winners regardless of Kevin Durant sweepstakes results

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4723460/celtics-winners-regardless-of-kevin-durant-sweepstakes-results



Celtics winners regardless of Kevin Durant sweepstakes results





Over this Fourth of July weekend, the Celtics were one of only six teams that got a chance to pitch to free agent Kevin Durant. Tom Pennington/Getty


5:50 AM PT


Chris Forsberg
ESPN Staff Writer



SALT LAKE CITY -- As they wait -- like the rest of the NBA world -- to find out the results of the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, the Boston Celtics can rest easy knowing they did just about everything in their power to make one of the NBA's biggest stars truly consider them.

That Boston is even a finalist among teams like Durant's incumbent Oklahoma City Thunder and a Golden State Warriors squad that won an NBA-record 73 games last season is an accomplishment in and of itself. Just three years ago, Boston started a complete roster overhaul that began with coach Doc Rivers departing for warmer climes. The overhaul included Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce being traded to the Brooklyn Nets for a package of picks that will help Boston add more talent moving forward.

Over this Fourth of July weekend, the Celtics were one of only six teams that got a chance to pitch to Durant. Boston's recruiting contingent traveled to the Hamptons with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in tow, adding a bit of rock-star glitz to a pitch that was expected to otherwise lean heavily on basketball and why Boston is better positioned than most for sustained on-court success.

Boston's pitch became even more intriguing when Al Horford announced he was joining the Celtics, agreeing to a four-year, $113 million max-contract offer on Saturday evening. It stomped all over the long-prevailing notion that big-name free agents would not come to Boston.

The Celtics are still long shots to land Durant. Oklahoma City has the emotional connection and plenty of talent, and Golden State's achievements the past two seasons make it an obvious option for a player craving an NBA title. But this was still a franchise-altering weekend for the Celtics. Horford's arrival provided the fireworks Boston has so desperately been craving, but the signing likely hasn't sunk in for Celtics fans because they are so captivated with Durant's decision.

If the Celtics miss out on Durant, the Horford signing should ease any frustrations. Boston is adding a quiet superstar -- a floor-stretching big man who will ease the offensive burden on Isaiah Thomas and improve a Celtics defense that hovered near the top three in defensive rating for much of the 2015-16 season.

The addition of Horford alone should help Boston challenge for 50+ wins, this after winning 48 games last season. Horford could help the Celtics improve on their two most recent playoff appearances -- both first-round exits -- and maybe even allow Boston to push the Cavaliers a bit in the Eastern Conference.

What will Boston do if Durant doesn't come to town? The Celtics might be content to sit out the rest of free agency. With Horford on board, the team has 11 guaranteed contracts for a total of $65.5 million. That’s before you add in Amir Johnson ($12 million) and Jonas Jerebko ($5 million), whose deals become guaranteed if not waived before July 7. Unless Boston needs the cap space, Johnson and Jerebko are excellent values in a league where contracts are skyrocketing because of new TV money.

How Boston fills out its roster might depend on the interest received by restricted free-agent big men Tyler Zeller and Jared Sullinger. Bringing either back at their qualifying offer is a bargain, but the Celtics might be leery of matching any big-money offer sheet those players receive.

The Celtics might consider signing a free agent to a short-term deal with whatever cap space is left over. A one-year pact -- maybe with an option for a second season -- would allow Boston to maintain cap flexibility and pursue another max-contract star down the road (either in free agency next summer or perhaps via trade during the season).

After drafting a pair of international big men in the first round of last month’s draft, the Celtics might consider carrying Guerschon Yabusele (16th overall) or Ante Zizic (23rd) this season (instead of stashing both overseas to develop). Boston will also consider signing some of their second-round picks, as both point guard Demetrius Jackson (45th overall) and forward Ben Bentil (51) can prove they deserve a roster spot during summer league. Boston opens summer play on Monday night in Utah against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Sure, none of that is quite as exciting as adding Durant. That's a move that would propel Boston instantly to title contender. But the Celtics might still get there someday. They have all sorts of flexibility because of the way they have built the team back up.

And the only confirmation you need to see that the Celtics are on the right path is that Durant was considering them at all.


bob
MY NOTE:  This has already been the best free agent signing season I can remember.

And who would have thought, 3 years ago, that Doc Rivers and the LA Clippers would be eliminated before us and the Lakers, with Kobe gone, begged but wasn't even given a meeting?


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