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Celtics Set to Run the East after Lebron Signs with Lakers

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Celtics Ready for Finals Run After Lebron Signing

Well, there it is. LeBron James finally made his long-awaited decision, signing with the Los Angeles Lakers after months of speculation. The deal is worth $154 million over four years, with a player option in the last year. This signing will undoubtedly send Lakers fans into crazed states of excitement, but Celtics fans should also be rejoicing. This moves clears the way for the team to waltz into the NBA Finals.

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A Weakened East

Now that Lebron has spurned the Cavaliers (again), it’s time for the Celtics to finally make their move. Toronto had another successful regular season last year, but they choked in the playoffs again and fired their head coach. The Sixers have intriguing young pieces, but the Celtics easily dispatched them in the playoffs. The Bucks still have Giannis Antetokounmpo, but don’t have many strong players around him. The Pacers have a young star in Victor Oladipo, but not much otherwise.

Aside from these four teams, there isn’t really anyone else to compete in the Eastern Conference. The East was already the weaker conference, and now they are far inferior to the Western Conference. Boston should have no trouble moving past each and every one of these teams.

Oh, and in case you forgot, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward are returning.

Photo via Getty Images

A Strengthened West

Of course, now the West is absolutely stacked. The Warriors, Rockets, Thunder, Jazz, Trail Blazers, and now the Lakers are all legitimate contenders. The Pelicans, Spurs, and Timberwolves are all also good teams. They’ll all have to fight each other to reach the Finals. If these teams can weaken each other in a fistfight to the top, the Celtics will be golden.

Of course, the Warriors are still the Warriors, there’s Lebron over there now, and the Rockets are always tough. However, the Celtics proved last year that they can hang with anyone in the league. If the whole team is healthy when it matters, this team can cause a ruckus in the playoffs.

Bottom Line

Bottom line is, the Celtics are now in a great position to contend for a title. There’s still a lot of free agency to go. The Kawhi situation has yet to unfold. The NBA landscape can still drastically change before the regular season commences. However, it feels like everything is coming up Celtics these days. With the biggest Celtics killer in recent history out of the way, this could be the year that Boston finally returns to basketball’s biggest stage. It could all go wrong, obviously, like it did this year. But if it doesn’t, the league should be on notice.

P.S. Prepare for a renewed Celtics-Lakers rivalry. Kyrie and Co. against Lebron and the Lake Show is going to be must-watch TV.

Photo via Getty Images

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New: Aron Baynes Returns to Boston

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Aron Baynes Coming Back to Beantown

In the opening minutes of free agency, Yahoo’s Shams Charania reported that center Aron Baynes has agreed to a deal with the Celtics. The contract is reportedly for two years and $11 million. It also includes a player option for the second season of the deal. The signing brings back an important part of last year’s Boston squad.

Baynes returns off of a year in which he averaged six points and 5.4 rebounds over 18 minutes per game. He was one of the only healthy players on the squad all year and was a reliable starter at the five. In the playoffs he was key as he developed a serviceable three-pointer. He’ll return this year likely as a bench player as Gordon Hayward returns to game action. However, expect him to still see important minutes behind Al Horford at the center position. He’ll also serve a role as a mentor to rookie Robert Williams. Though Williams could eventually overtake Baynes’ role on the team, he’ll still benefit from the Australian’s tutelage.

This is a great re-signing for the Celtics. Last year, the team was able to establish chemistry on the court, and Baynes was a big part of that. Though he was often on the wrong end of posterizing dunks, he and his man bun quietly helped the team in multiple ways. There weren’t many reports that detailed other suitors for Baynes throughout June. However, it’s excellent to see that Danny Ainge was able to get this deal done with the big man right away, though it can’t be officially announced until July 6th. The team will now look to bring back restricted free agent Marcus Smart, which will likely be the extent of their offseason activity. Now that Baynes is back on the roster, he’ll start preparing for the 2018-19 season in Boston. Welcome back, Aron Baynes!

Bring Back Baynes?

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Aron Baynes averaged 6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season. He only played 18.3 minutes per game, despite making 67 starts. He is technically a free agent this offseason. And yet, the Celtics seem locked in on re-signing him, despite spending a first round pick on rim-running big Robert Williams. Baynes even represented the team during Monday night’s NBA Awards Show.

It’s a surprising level of commitment to a center who has averaged only 5.4 PPG and 4.4 RPG over the course of his career. However, it makes perfect sense. Believe it or not, the Celtics actually, sort of, need Baynes.

Frontcourt Question Marks

Even after adding Williams to the mix, finding a way to retain Baynes is crucial for the Celtics’ frontcourt depth. Williams is plenty talented, but questions surrounding his attitude off the court played a major part in his slide to the Celtics at pick 27. His disappearing act the following day didn’t do much to assuage those concerns.

Even if Williams is a model citizen, Boston would still likely be reticent to lean on him from the jump. Rookies, especially bigs, often have a steep NBA learning curve. It’s tougher to make an impact offensively when you have to depend on others to get the ball, and your mistakes are more glaring on the other end when you serve as the last line of defense at the rim. Williams may mature into a Clint Capela or DeAndre Jordan caliber center eventually, but he won’t be there in October.

Daniel Theis showed flashes of promise as a 25-year-old rookie from Europe last year. Unfortunately, he tore his meniscus in March. The Celtics expect him to be ready to go for training camp, but there’s no guarantee he’ll hit the ground running right away.

Of course, Al Horford figures to start his fair share of games at center this season with the return of Gordon Hayward. However, if Boston wants him fresh for the spring, they’re going to have to pair him with another reliable big.

That’s where Baynes comes in. In addition to being extraordinarily reliable (he’s played 81, 75, and 81 games over the last 3 seasons), he’s, well, big. Theis is listed at 6-9, and Horford and Williams at 6-10. Baynes, while also listed at 6-10, is a full 15-20 pounds heavier than his fellow Celtic big men. He provides a different look and skill set, and some extra beef to stick at the rim when Boston plays larger lineups.

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

Improved Shooting

Then there’s the matter of what happened in the postseason this spring. Baynes, who was 3-of-21 from behind the arc in the regular season, was 11-of-23 (47.8%) from three in the playoffs. At the risk of putting too much into a small sample size, this could be a substantial development. If Baynes’ new shooting touch is the real deal (and not coach Brad Stevens pulling a rabbit out of a hat) it paves the way for Boston to run 5-out line-ups nearly 100% of the time.

In a league where shooting is king, that would only raise the Celtics’ ceiling.

Other factors may come into play here. Marcus Smart may sign a max offer sheet, and the Celtics could match. Such a move may put Boston in luxury tax territory earlier than it’d like. Another team might offer Baynes a contract worth more than the C’s are willing to pay. Boston would have to opt for a more cost-effective option in that scenario.

Ultimately, Baynes is a perfect fit, and the Celtics would be foolish to move on from him too quickly. He’s a role player to be sure, but he serves a role no one else on the roster currently does. For a team with championship aspirations, the more players who fit that description, the better.

Could Dwight Howard Sign with Boston?

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Will Dwight Howard Wear a Celtics Jersey?

After the Hornets traded Dwight Howard to the Nets, Brooklyn negotiated a buyout with the big man that is set to go into effect on July 6th. Howard will then become a free agent and choose his team for his 15th season. There has been speculation thus far that the Celtics have interest in bringing in “Superman”. Is this a good move?

Career History

Orlando drafted Howard number one overall selection in 2004, straight out of high school. He played his best basketball with the Magic, winning three consecutive DPOY awards from 2009-11. He was also an All-Star from 2007-14. The Magic then traded Howard to the Lakers in 2011. He played one rocky season there before moving to the Rockets. After three seasons there, he was with the Hawks and Hornets for one year each before this trade. Howard has always been a double-double machine, averaging 17 points and 13 rebounds in his career thus far. Although a terrible free throw shooter, he’s an excellent finisher around the rim and also an elite defensive threat in the paint.

How He Fits

There’s no doubt that Howard could be an important piece in the rotation. He’s a true big man, and his seven-foot frame is one that many say the team desperately needs. Last year with the Hawks, he averaged 12.7 rebounds. Al Horford, Boston’s leading rebounder, averaged 6.3. He would also add a bona-fide shot-blocker to Boston’s already top-tier defense.

However, his past is controversial to say the least. In Los Angeles, he butted heads with Kobe and his coach. Things got ugly with James Harden in Houston. Hawks players reportedly cheered aloud when he was traded. ESPN’s Brendan Haywood said Thursday that the Hornets didn’t want him in their locker room either. It’s hard to imagine a scenario in which Brad Stevens would be willing to deal with a player like that. However, he’s undeniable talent and Danny Ainge might be willing to overlook his off-court issues. He’d be coming off the bench, but if he can play 20 minutes a night with the second unit, he could make big contributions.

Will Boston Sign Howard?

The Celtics’ money situation is complicated. They’re already over the salary cap for this upcoming season based off of their guaranteed contracts. However, Howard had an interesting quote on which team he’ll sign with: “I want to be in a situation where I have an opportunity to help a team win. That’s my only goal.” If this is true, it’s possible that he would be willing to take less money to join Boston. The Celtics are obviously a franchise poised to contend, and if Howard means what he says, he might join them on a bargain. However, if Howard’s ego gets in the way and his demands get too high, Ainge would have no problem walking. Let’s see if Howard wants to take a reduced role and less pay in order to chase a championship ring with the Celtics.

Follow Jack on Twitter for more: @jackbuffett_

Celtics Select Robert Williams in NBA Draft

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The Pick

Boston has chosen Robert Williams at pick 27 tonight, their first and only selection in this year’s draft. Throughout the day, rumors flew concerning the Celtics trading up to select in a lottery pick. However, Danny Ainge decided to stay put at the end of the first round.

Williams is a big from Texas A&M. At 6’9 and 237 pounds, he primarily played the four spot in college, but will likely play the center position in the NBA. Williams is freakishly athletic with a massive 7’6 wingspan. He’s a stupendous shot blocker, and will add to the team’s already stifling defense. His offensive game is in development, but at his size, he should be able to play well around the rim.

Multiple sources said that Williams could have been selected with a lottery pick. However, concerns about his work ethic reportedly detracted from his stock. He was also suspended for the first two games of the season by A&M for an unspecified violation of team rules. There was some uncertainty surrounding the health of his knee as well. However, his ceiling is high, and if he puts in the work he could contribute in his rookie season, much like the last two first-round selections before him.

What It Means for the Team

Williams obviously won’t start this year ahead of Al Horford. However, this selection puts the jobs of Aron Baynes and Greg Monroe in jeopardy. Monroe’s future in Boston was already uncertain, and this move now makes him seem to be the odd man out. Baynes’ role seems more secure. As of this writing, Keith Smith reports that the Celtics still are fixated on resigning him. However, should the team decide that they want to go a new direction, Baynes could also find himself with a new team. It is also possible that Williams could be included in a trade package come July. With so many big names in play, Williams’ value could prove tantalizing to other teams.

For now, however, Brad Stevens will work hard to fit him right in with the already cohesive unit. It is likely that WIlliams’ first appearance in a Celtics jersey will come during the 2018 Summer League. He will wear number 44, the jersey last worn by fan favorite Brian Scalabrine. Hopefully, fans will become drawn to the new teammate in the same way. Welcome to Boston, Robert Williams!

Follow Jack on Twitter for more: @jackbuffett_

REPORT: The Celtics are Including Terry Rozier in Draft Trades

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Danny Ainge and the Celtics are reportedly involving Terry Rozier in potential trades to move up in the draft. This was first reported by Brian Robb of the Boston Sports Journal. Robb says that, “the Celtics have discussed Terry Rozier with other teams as part of a trade package to move up.”

Rozier, 24, is entering the final year of his contract next season. He expects to cash out on his next deal considering his 2017-18 performance. He was the 16th overall pick by the Celtics in the 2015 NBA Draft and has made a massive contribution to this team. His first two-years for the Celtics were pretty quiet. He started no games and averaged 1.8 PPG and 5.5 PPG. However, in his third year Rozier exploded into one of the best bench-options in the NBA. In the 80 regular season games that Rozier played, he started 16 of them. This was due to the injuries Kyrie Irving accumulated throughout the year. Rozier averaged a career-high in PPG (11.3), RPG (4.7), APG (2.9), FG% (.395), and 3-point FG% (.381).

Scary Terry became a national star in the playoffs as he started every game for the Celtics. He averaged 16.2 PPG, 5.6 APG, and 5.3 RPG. Terry Rozier was a major reason as to why the Celtics made it all the way to a game-seven of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Possible Options with Rozier:

Rozier has one year-left on his rookie contract, leaving the Celtics with a big decision. Do they keep him and try to negotiate a new deal with Rozier, or do they trade him? In this scenario the Celtics use Rozier as leverage to move up in the draft. This does not mean he is the center of the trade. However, it means he will be one of the reasons it will happen. The Celtics have had reported interest in top-10 prospects Mohammad Bamba and Michael Porter Jr.

The Celtics could be looking at a potential major trade to help them not only compete with teams around the league, but win the NBA championship.

The Celtics Are Interested in Signing a Euro-League Star

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The Boston Celtics seem to be looking to add another overseas player for next season. His name is Brad Wanamaker, a Turkish guard who is very highly decorated. This was reported first by David Pick, who is considered the top guy for overseas news.

College Career

Wanamaker played college ball at the University of Pittsburgh. He averaged only eight points, four rebounds, and 3.5 assists during his four year college career. He also started the entire last two seasons for Pitt. Brad finished his senior career as a honorable-mention for the NCAA’s Men’s Basketball All-American.

Career Overseas

Brad started his professional basketball career in Italy and played for two Italian clubs. He then went back to America and signed with the Austin Toros, the Spurs’ G-League affiliate. The Toros won the developmental championship the only year Brad was on the team.

After his time back in America, Brad went overseas again to play in France’s top league, the LNB Pro A. He averaged nine points and 3.4 rebounds during his time there. After a brief stint back in Italy, Wanamaker signed with Brose Baskets, where they went on to win the championship with Brad winning Finals MVP. Brad re-signed with Bamberg and they went on to win their second straight title, and Wanamaker was MVP of the league.

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Brad then went to go play in Turkey after his very successful German career. He signed a two-year contract with Darussfaka. After those years went by, Brad signed with the reigning Euro-League champs, Fenerbahce. He led them to their fourth consecutive Final Four. He eventually lost to Luka Doncic and Real Madrid in the championship game.

Wanamaker finished his Euro-League career averaging 13.5 PPG, 4.2 APG, while shooting 36% from three. He also achieved many accolades like German BBL MVP, 2X German BBL Champion, and a Finals MVP.

Contribution to the Celtics

The Celtics have a few guys coming off their bench who come from overseas. One of them is Daniel Theis, who like Wanamaker, played most of his professional career overseas. Theis as a rookie, made a very solid contribution off the bench in his rookie year. In the 63 games he played, he averaged 5.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, while shooting 54% from the field. Backup point guard, Shane Larkin, came from overseas to the Celtics as well. Larkin played in the NBA for the first 3 years of his career before going overseas to Spain. Larkin revived his career in Spain which led him to getting signed by the Celtics.

Brad Wanamaker is set to be paid $3.8 million dollars by Barcelona next year unless he signs with an NBA team. Chances are Wanamaker stays in Europe, but the Celtics are one of the few teams interested, and it could be very useful to help the scoring off the bench.

Which Celtics Target Makes the Most Sense at Pick 27?

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The Boston Celtics are slotted to select lower than 16th in Thursday night’s draft for the first time since 2012. The last time the C’s picked this low was in 2009. That year, they selected the immortal J.R. Giddens following their first NBA title in 22 seasons.

This, of course, is barring any last-second jockeying from President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. He could decide at any moment that the #27 overall pick would be better served as part of one of his infamous trade packages. Twitter has been buzzing with fake trades for Kawhi Leonard or a move into the top five. However, such moves seem unlikely. It appears we’re headed for a (relatively) straightforward night.

As of Monday, the Celtics have held pre-draft workouts with 17 different players, including:

  • National Player of the Year Jalen Brunson
  • Final Four Most Outstanding Player Donte DiVincenzo
  • Duke guard Grayson Allen
  • Arizona guard Allonzo Trier
  • Villanova forward Omari Spellman

Ainge mentioned in interviews earlier this month that he and his team had “tried to laser focus in to about 10 [players] at this point” for the 27th pick, taking a number of different factors into account. But which of those players makes most sense for the C’s?

Needs and Wants

Guard is the most pressing area of need roster-wise. That explains why Boston has worked out so many high-pedigree players at that position. Marcus Smart is a restricted free agent. Terry Rozier proved his value in the postseason, but his contract expires after this season. Shane Larkin was serviceable as a spot up shooter and fringe rotation guy. However, he’s more of a nice depth piece to have in the mix than an irreplaceable rotation player. And of course, Kyrie Irving‘s health and impending free agency have spawned hot takes and think-pieces across the internet for well over a month.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Celtics are thin at big.  Al Horford is Brad Stevens‘ Swiss Army Knife and Boston’s most important player. He also turned 32 on July 3rd. Aron Baynes was surprisingly effective last season. He’ll hopefully figure into the team’s plans next season. Daniel Theis is coming off a torn meniscus, and Greg Monroe is not a viable modern center.

Ainge seems to favor gritty guards and wings with strong intangibles (Rozier, Smart, Avery Bradley, Tony Allen, Jaylen Brown), especially with first round picks. That rules out a player like Trier, whose scoring is offset by often lazy defending and lack of focus.

Spellman and DiVincenzo could be high ceiling options who fit the mold. DiVencenzo has wowed at both the combine and in his individual workouts, which has only perpetuated a stock rise. Spellman could be the type of multi-faceted offensive big Ainge hoped to get with Jared Sullinger. However, I’d be surprised if either are still there at #27 based on their pre-draft buzz.

Best Options

Ultimately, I think the best bet here is Brunson, followed closely by Duke’s Allen and Georgia Tech shooting guard Josh Okogie. Brunson’s feel for the game is unmatched by anyone else in this draft class. He’s also a terrific shooter (52/41/80 shooting splits last season) with a diverse offensive arsenal that includes a developed post-game. Plus, Brunson has proven himself on the biggest stage, winning two national titles as a starter. In other words, he’ll be able to contribute immediately.

The Same can be said for Allen, who, despite his on-court antics and volatility, has been a top contributor on one of the best teams in the country throughout his college career. Okogie is a project with tremendous upside. He has all of the physical tools (6′ 4″ with a 7′ wingspan). He was also a 37.6% three point shooter at the college level. Okogie may be rough around the edges, but would be a welcome addition to Boston’s ever-growing stable of switchable wings.

Ainge will take the best player available on the board, there’s no denying that. But part of the beauty and fun of the draft is “the best player on the board” could be anyone. It all depends on who rises, and who falls. All things considered, if that player is Jalen Brunson, expect commissioner Adam Silver to call his name when the Celtics are on the clock.

Celtics’ Top Opponents for the 2018-2019 Season

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The Boston Celtics were one of the most entertaining teams in the NBA last year. The 2017-2018 season had a lot of amazing games by the Celtics, which most notably consisted of comeback wins against the Rockets (26 points) and the Warriors (26 points). The season, though, was plagued with injuries, whether it was the Hayward injury that kept him out the whole year, or the Kyrie injury that made him miss the last few weeks of the regular season, the Celtics always found a way to make many of their games exciting no matter who they played.

The C’s are now one of the most feared teams in the NBA and cause many exciting matchups. Here are five opponents that will be the best to look for in the upcoming NBA season:

1. Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers look to be Boston’s biggest threat in the east at the moment with LeBron’s destination still unknown. The 76ers are a very young team with Embiid and Ben Simmons leading them all the way to the playoffs. Philadelphia lost the regular season series to the Boston Celtics 3-1. One of those games took place in London, where the Celtics came from 22 down to beat them 114-103. The Celtics then lost the next game to Philly 89-80, but that would not be the end to this series.

Boston played Philadelphia in the semifinals of the Eastern Conference Playoffs that year. The C’s were very large underdogs as they opened +300 in that series. On some betting websites they rose all the way up to +750. This series was a dominant one for the Celtics. They won it in only five games consisting off a 22 point comeback in Game 2 and an overtime win in Game 3. Things also got very heated between the teams during the series.

This Philly and Boston rivalry has grown very big ever since the Super Bowl, and will only get bigger with these two powerhouses going at each other.

2. Golden State Warriors

The defending back-to-back NBA champs come in at number two on this list. Golden State is arguably the greatest team of all-time, which is why they will be high on this list. The Warriors are coming off championship wins in 2015, 2017, 2018, and they look to continue that streak of dominance.

There is one team in the NBA who the Warriors haven’t consistently dominated: the Boston Celtics. Boston has split the season-series with the Warriors the past three years, and are the only team in the NBA other than the Warriors with a winning record in the Oracle Arena since 2015. The Celtics in 2016 were the team to stop Golden State’s record-breaking 54-game home win streak.

The Celtics beat Golden State in Boston for the first time since 2015. This game looked bad for Boston with Golden State going up 22. The Celtics then erupted to go on a 19-0 run and won by a score of 92-88. This lead many to believe that Golden State versus Boston could be a finals matchup of the future. Even Stephen Curry believes that.

The Celtics were only one game away from facing the Warriors in the 2017-2018 NBA Finals, but came up short in Game 7 against Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals. With Golden State favored again to win the NBA championship and the Celtics healthy going into next season, this could be a possible Finals match-up in the making.

3. Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets were also only one game away from the NBA Finals, just like the Celtics. The Rockets ended the regular season last year with the best record in the NBA, going 65-17. The Rockets and Celtics played twice this year and split the season series in two of the most entertaining games of the entire regular season. In the first game the Celtics won 99-98 in a 26 point comeback. This game had Marcus Smart drawing two late offensive fouls on James Harden, which set up the game-winner by Al Horford.

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The Celtics-Rockets series next year looks to continue on this excitement. Especially with the thought of LeBron joining one of these teams.

4. Los Angeles Lakers

The Boston-LA rivalry hasn’t felt as important as recent years, but that looks to change in 2018. The Lakers are filled with young talent like Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Julius Randle.

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The Lakers are also poised to get a big name via trade or free agency whether its Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, or LeBron James. There are even talks of them forming a super team with all three of those players. If the Lakers can acquire one of these players, the rivalry could be back on.

5. Toronto Raptors

Toronto has been a force in the Atlantic division for years now. The duo of Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan has been one of the best backcourts in the NBA. Toronto finished first in the Eastern Conference, but got swept by Cleveland in the semifinals. This led to Toronto firing Dwyane Casey. Toronto may not be the force in the playoffs that they are in the regular season, but winning the games against them in the regular season could be the difference in home-court advantage for the Celtics in the playoffs.

The Boston Celtics were one game away from making it to the NBA Finals last year. With this set of opponents for next season, they can really see how they stack up against the rest of the NBA.

Who’s Most Important? Ranking the Celtics with the Most Value

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As the trading block gets up and running this offseason, the Celtics’ staff needs to determine who is part of their future. These rankings take a look at who has the most value for the franchise right now. Factors taken into consideration were talent (obviously), age and current career trend, trade value, and contract situation. The team’s two-way players, Jabari Bird and Kadeem Allen are not included in this list. Let’s dive right in.

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

15. Abdel Nader, SF

Abdel Nader doesn’t bring anything to the team. He played sparingly over 48 games this season and averaged three points a game, all while contributing negative win shares. Though he’s young and could have room for improvement, he just underwent wrist surgery. It’s unlikely he’s on the roster for much longer.

14. Guerschon Yabusele, PF

Yabusele didn’t perform all that well for the Celtics this year either. He averaged 2.4 points and two rebounds over 33 games this year. However, scouts still see massive upside in “The Dancing Bear”, and he’s just 22 years old. The team still has hope that he can develop into the player they think he can be. Yabu has also become a fan favorite with his childish charm, and there’s always value in guys like that.

13. Greg Monroe, C

Though Monroe is unlikely to re-sign, he could still bring value to the team if he did. In 26 games with Boston, he averaged ten points and six rebounds after being acquired via the disabled player exception. If Boston wanted, they might be able to get him cheap on another one-year deal. Monroe is only 28 years old. However, there might not be a role for him this year behind Horford, Theis, and Baynes if he is re-signed.

12. Shane Larkin, PG

Shane Larkin had a decent year for the Celtics until injury sidelined him in the playoffs. Though he only averaged four points and two assists per game, he provided a nice spark off the bench. He also played an important role in several of the Celtics’ late-season games. The major thing that holds Larkin so low on this list is that this season, he’ll be fourth on the depth chart. Kyrie Irving, Terry Rozier, and Marcus Smart will all be before him in the rotation. It’s unlikely that he would see the court in most games. However, if the Celtics end up trading one or both of Smart and Rozier, it is possible he can see a role.

11. Semi Ojeleye, PF

Ojeleye doesn’t provide much offense, but Brad Stevens loves his defense. It’s easy to see why. This year, the team routinely looked to him to take the toughest defensive assignments. He defended the likes of LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo with relative success. He was also a rookie and has three years remaining on his deal of $1.5 million per year. At that price, Ojeleye is a steal for the team. However, like Larkin, he will be stuck low on the depth chart with Gordon Hayward returning.

10. Daniel Theis, PF/C

Theis had an excellent first year coming over from Europe. He averaged five points and five rebounds over 63 games, serving as a reliable backup to Al Horford before a torn meniscus ended his year in March. The 6’9″ German is already locked up for next year for $1.8 million. If Aron Baynes returns, the two will compete for minutes. However, Theis has a great chance at becoming an important player for the Celtics.

9. Marcus Morris, F

Marcus Morris provided big scoring boosts off the bench most nights throughout the season. Over 54 games, he averaged 14 points and 5.4 rebounds. He’s a bruiser and physical player, but he has a beautiful isolation jumper. Morris, still just 28, is locked up next season for $5.5 million. However, he is an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019. If Danny Ainge looks to make a big trade this summer, Morris could be an eye-catching piece in any potential offers. If he stands pat, Boston gets another season’s worth of contributions out of Morris.

Marcus Morris

Photo Credit: Getty Images

8. Aron Baynes, C

Baynes filled the center position admirably last season. He played in all but one game and averaged six points and 5.4 boards. His willingness to go up against rim attackers (although often only to be posterized) proved valuable to the depleted core. His development of a three-pointer during the playoffs was incredible, and Boston should attempt to re-sign him. However, he is 31 years old, and if the price is too high, the Celtics may walk. Nonetheless, Baynes returning to the team would boost the size of a smaller Boston team.

7.  Marcus Smart, G

Marcus Smart is below Terry Rozier on this list because though he probably has more value to the team than Rozier does in the big picture, he doesn’t garner as much trade value as Rozier does. However, it’s impossible to overstate what Smart does for Boston. He’s the everyman, and everyone who’s watched him play knows what he brings to the table for them. The stats might not be the flashiest, but it’s what isn’t in the box score that makes him so valuable to the Celtics. However, Smart is a restricted free agent, and if he receives an offer into the $18-20 million range, the Celtics may not be willing to keep him.

6. Terry Rozier, PG

Scary Terry balled out in the playoffs and put the league on notice. As previously mentioned, Rozier earns this spot not because of his contributions to the team (though those were also hefty), but for his trade value. He’s been mentioned in numerous trade rumors already this offseason, and it’s easy to envision Ainge putting him into a package for a star player. Teams love his ability to create his own scoring opportunities. Rozier is under contract for one more year and then becomes an RFA. His team value, though, takes a hit this coming season with the return of Kyrie Irving. It will also be interesting to see if Rozier’s postseason inflated his ego, and prompts Trader Dan to ship him out a la Isaiah Thomas before he has to take a backseat to Irving.

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5. Al Horford, PF/C

Arguments can be made for Al Horford having been the MVP of this team this season. In his All-Star campaign, his consistent play and leadership gave the young guns guidance throughout the year. Horford was undoubtedly a cornerstone piece for the Celtics, both this year and last. The reason he falls down on the list is that Al now finds himself at 32 years of age, and winding down his career. His current contract with the team, though unlikely, has a chance to be his last, as he is signed next season and then has a player option in 2019-20. Horford probably won’t be included in any packages this season, because a player like him just won’t gather much interest. That’s just fine for the Celtics, though they’ll be glad to have Al hang around for a little while longer.

4. Jaylen Brown, SG/SF

Jaylen Brown is one of the hottest players on the market right now. His breakout sophomore season drew attention around the Association. He has sky-high trade value right now, and his play will only continue to improve. His stats jumped up in every category this year, and at just 21, it’s likely to be the case again next year. The Celtics could certainly put together an attractive trade package with him at the center. If he stays, he’s guaranteed a spot in the starting five. Right now, there’s no limit to how far he can progress.

3. Kyrie Irving, PG

Kyrie finally got to become the leader of a team, and it paid dividends. The flashy point guard had himself one heck of a season, even throwing his name into the MVP discussion before he joined the list of injured Celtics. The reason he’s third here is because his future with the team has become foggy. Terry Rozier emerged as a legitimate starting point guard during his absence. Irving has also become extremely noncommittal to a future with the Celtics, leaving some to wonder if he’ll be gone next season. However, Irving is a star and if the team manages to hang on to him, championships could be in the team’s future.

2. Gordon Hayward, F

Gordon Hayward was on the court for all of five minutes last year, but he is nearing the end of his recovery and rehab and appears ready to get back on the court this season. When he does, he’ll immediately assume his position at the focus of the team’s offense. After an All-Star season two years ago in Utah, Hayward is hungry for some real action in Boston. He’s also locked up for the next two seasons, and a player option after that. Prepare to see Hayward lead the Celtics for years to come.

1. Jayson Tatum, F

The clear-cut choice for number one on this list. Jayson Tatum is going to be a superstar in this league. At just 20 years old, the sky is the limit for the dynamic forward. He’s on his rookie contract for three more years with the team. If Ainge decides he wants to go after an Anthony Davis or Kawhi Leonard, Tatum could be more than enough to make the deal. However, given his performance this year, he seems untouchable, and for good reason. Tatum could lead this team for many years to come.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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