In 2007, the Celtics created a monster in one summer. This summer could be scarier.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2016/05/05/in-2007-the-celtics-created-a-monster-in-one-summer-this-summer-could-be-scarier/




In 2007, the Celtics created a monster in one summer. This summer could be scarier.



Postmortem: Boston Celtics



By Tim Bontemps



May 5




As each NBA team is eliminated from contention for the 2015-16 title, The Washington Post will look ahead to what they have in store for this offseason. The series continues today with the Boston Celtics, who were sent home for the summer by the Atlanta Hawks last week.

It’s not bad to be the Boston Celtics right now.

Yes, the Celtics saw their postseason end for the second straight year in Round 1, but this time they won two games (compared to none last year), saw their win total increase by several games during the regular season, and – most importantly – have three first-round picks awaiting them in this year’s NBA draft.

The most valuable of those picks, by far, is the selection owed to them by the Brooklyn Nets, the first of three straight Boston could be potentially getting from Brooklyn. They could all be as valuable as the one the Celtics will get this year, currently slotted at No. 3, pending the results of this month’s draft lottery.


Still, Boston heads into this summer lacking the thing it needs to truly become a contender: star-level talent. This could prove to be a pivotal offseason to their chances of obtaining it.


2016 draft picks

First round: Their own, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks

Second round: Cleveland, Memphis, Miami, Minnesota, Philadelphia

2016-17 salary cap space (with projected $92 million cap)

$51.5 million (Nine players for $33.9 million; $7.6 million for five picks (three firsts and first two second-rounders). Doesn’t include non-guaranteed contracts for Amir Johnson, Jonas Jerebko and John Holland.


2016 free agents

SF Evan Turner, PF Jared Sullinger (restricted), C Tyler Zeller (restricted)


Five questions to answer


1. Where will the Brooklyn Nets pick wind up, and what will Boston do with all these picks?

The Celtics have been waiting for the 2016 lottery basically since making the trade that sent Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn in June 2013. This night will determine where the first of those three picks the Nets will send to Boston will wind up.

But Boston will be busy on draft night. Not only do they have the Nets pick, but they have a pick in the late teens from Dallas, their own in the early 20s and then five second rounders. Given the amount of youth the Celtics already have, it’s hard to see how all of these picks could be used by Boston this year.

That, combined with general manager Danny Ainge’s penchant for actively perusing the trade market, is why the Celtics seem likely to be moving around on draft night.

2. Will elite players consider Boston in free agency?

The Celtics have never been able to lure an elite free agent to Boston. They are hoping to change that this summer.

With the foundation the team has in place under Brad Stevens, Boston plans to swing big this summer. But if the Celtics can’t get someone like Kevin Durant or Al Horford to sign with them, they’ll be forced to dip into the second tier of free agents if they hope to get a difference-making free agent.

It remains to be seen if someone in that class – say DeMar DeRozan or Nicolas Batum – would sign with Boston in free agency, and if the Celtics would be willing to ink them too, but Boston is going to push hard to land the kind of player the Celtics have never been able to in the past.


3. Is there a potential elite talent already on this roster?

The remarkable thing about the job Brad Stevens has done in Boston is that he’s done it without any true, game-changing talent on his roster.

Yes, Isaiah Thomas made the All-Star team this season, but Thomas is one of those players that picks up a random All-Star appearance in his career. The Celtics learned in the playoffs the difficulties of trying to build a true contending roster around a scorer that is 5-foot-9.

Can Marcus Smart become this kind of player? If he becomes a way better shooter, it’s possible. But that also seems like a big ask. Other than him, there are a bunch of players that are solid contributors, but don’t seem to have higher ceilings than that.


4. What can Boston get from James Young, R.J. Hunter and Terry Rozier next season?

On a roster full of solid veterans, three of the youngest Celtics – Young, Hunter and Rozier – didn’t see much playing time. Can any of them begin to do more next season?

Young seems like the longest shot to succeed, having basically done nothing to this point in his career. He’s entering Year 3, and it’ll be time to start seeing something happen here.

Hunter and Rozier, on the other hand, both got cups of coffee during Boston’s first-round series with Atlanta because of injuries. Rozier looked like the more live player of the two, hitting some three-pointers and flashing athleticism. Both, however, will likely get chances next season – depending on how the summer plays out.


5. Will Danny Ainge finally swing for the fences?

For years, the Celtics have been hoarding assets to eventually repeat what Ainge did in 2007 – cash them in to get the next Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to return the Celtics to championship contention.

Is it possible this summer is the time that’ll happen? Perhaps. If the Celtics want to have a true chance of signing someone like Durant, they’re going to have to get some more talent on the roster. And, judging by some of the names floating around, guys will be available.

Some names already floating around are Chicago’s Jimmy Butler and Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins, and more will likely shake free as the draft and free agency get closer. If any of them truly hit the market, Boston – with their treasure trove of picks, young players and cap space – should be at the front of the line for anyone.



bob
MY NOTE:  Here are my answers to the 5 questions:

1.  We'll know 5/17.  I expect 1 rookie next year, maybe 2 (but my gut says just 1).  Danny will try to move at least one pick, maybe 2.
2.  If Danny builds it, they will come.
3.  No.  Due to IT's physical limitations I don't see how he could become "elite".  
4.  Rozier will get minutes, RJ will get some more too, although I don't know how many more.  James Young will be gone if I have anything to say about it.
5.  Always

It's nice that the Washington Post, NOT a local Boston paper, is seeing that the earth could move in Boston this summer. You want to sanity-check your hopes with outside opinions.


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