After a dominant season, culminating in the Celtics winning the NBA championship they now look ahead to the offseason. The Celtics have their core players locked up and will continue their success in the coming seasons. However, in both the draft and free agency the Celtics can add slight yet meaningful upgrades to their championship roster.
2024 NBA Offseason Preview: What’s Next For The Celtics?
Season Recap
The Celtics had a dominant and historic season this year. Highlighted of course by winning a record-breaking 18th NBA championship. Furthermore, the Celtics posted a record of 64-18 (80-21 including the playoffs) while having both a top-five net rating and a point differential of all time. With a 16-3 playoff record the Celtics became one of three title teams since 2000 to lose four or fewer playoff games. The Celtics’ success was defined by balance and all-around players.
The additions of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday proved to be the missing pieces next to the Celtics established core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Al Horford. Impressively, the Celtics were able to get All-Star level players to buy into lesser yet crucial roles. On the season the Celtics had the league’s best offense which was also the best offensive rating of all time and the second-best defense in the league. This highlights their incredible balance which along with three-pointers, second-year head coach Joe Mazzulla preaches. All of the Celtics contributed to their success.
Brown and Tatum led the way as consistent scoring threats with an all-around impact. Holiday and White played vital roles as versatile point-of-attack defenders, spot-up shooters, and connective playmakers. Porzingis unlocked a new dimension for the Celtics on both ends of the floor giving them an elite lob threat and mismatch hunter offensively with versatile rim protection on defense. Horford stepped up massively when Porzingis went down in playoffs to provide the Celtics with elite spacing and switchable defense. The beloved veteran’s impact on this team can not be understated. Moreover, Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard gave the Celtics a shooting spark off the bench as well as solid all-around play.
While winning the title was the clear goal, this incredible success unsurprisingly garnered several individual awards. Brown won both Finals MVP and Eastern Conference MVP for his stellar two-way play in both series. All season long Brown proved his value after signing a massive contract last summer. Tatum was named first-team All-NBA while Holiday and White were awarded second-team All-Defense.
Projected Cap Space and Draft Picks
Over the Second Apron
The Celtics are over the NBA’s newly instituted second apron tax penalty. There are now several restrictions limiting the franchise. Notably, they aren’t allowed to use the mid-level expectation, aggregate two or more player salaries in a trade, send out cash in trade, acquire a player with a sign and trade, or acquire a larger salary in a trade.
This makes any meaningful trade nearly impossible and limits the Celtics’ spending power to a minimum contract. The Celtics will be tied to this core for the foreseeable future. Luckily this is a championship-winning roster that is capable of replicating this success for years to come. Credit owner Wyc Grousbeck for constantly investing in this roster while empowering Brad Stevens to make difficult yet extremely valuable moves.
30th and 54th Overall Picks
Primary Targets
Ingram and Dunn have worked out with the Celtics and are projected to be picked around 30th. They would both provide the Celtics with a defensive-minded wing off the bench. Tyson and Klintman are talented all-around forwards with both the ability to play minutes immediately and upside. They should be at the top of the Celtics’ boards if available at the end of the first round.
Shannon would give the Celtics a different dimension as a big shot creating guard off the bench. Most of the top big men will likely be off the board but Ighodaro would fit in perfectly with the Celtics as a high-IQ big man with a knack for rebounding and passing he could eventually blossom into a Horford-esque role.
Additionally, the Celtics have worked out a plethora of projected second-round picks. Including, Baylor Scheierman, Dillon Jones, Antonio Reeves, Justin Edwards, and Judah Mintz. Players such as Scheierman or Jones could be used with the Celtics first-round pick. Scheierman’s shooting would make him a natural fit with the Celtics system. However, one strategy to keep an eye on is the Celtics trading down to the second round to land more assets and or multiple second-round picks this year. Last year Brad Stevens traded down for Jordan Walsh and future assets. Ultimately, with the Celtics cap situation they should target players who could crack the rotation sooner rather than later, and fit with their style of play.
Pending Free Agents
- Luke Kornet
- Xavier Tillman
- Sam Hauser (Team option)
- Neemias Queta (Team option)
- Oshae Brissett (Player option)
- Svi Mykhailiuk
- Drew Peterson (Restricted)
- JD Davison (Restricted)
The Celtics don’t have a ton of important free agents. It’s a no-brainer for the Celtics to pick up Hauser’s $2 million dollar team option and look for them to give him an extension if they can afford it. Kornet and Tillman are serviceable regular-season bigs but it’s unclear if both players will be brought back. Kornet’s size, lob threat abilities, and tenure with the team give him a solid chance to be brought back.
Tillman’s possible return is intriguing, with his skill set as an all-around high-IQ big man he could play a Horford-like role. It feels likely the Celtics bring back one of these bigs probably not both but that can’t be ruled out. Given the option, I would prioritize Tillman due to his well-rounded impact. Queta is an athletic rim runner and rebounder. However, his role dwindled throughout the year and the Celtics could decline his 2 million dollar team option. Additionally, the Celtics draft will influence their decisions on these three big men.
The only other free agent who played any minutes was Brissett who has a $2.4 million dollar player option. Brissett is a high-energy defensive-minded forward however, he was never a consistent part of the Celtics rotation. Brissett belongs in an NBA rotation as a defensive-minded wing, maybe even the Celtics rotation however he may leave to seek an opportunity to receive real minutes.
Realistic Off-Season Targets
Trade
The Celtics’ financial situation limits their potential for off-season moves. Crucially, the Celtics can only trade in which one player’s salary is sent out and they receive equal or less salary in exchange. Luckily they have a title team intact and don’t need any significant moves.
Free Agents
Once again the second apron tax penalty limits the Celtics’ moves. The only spending power Boston has this offseason is minimum contracts. Drummond could be a solid rotational big-man option if Kornet and or Tillman don’t return. Justin Holiday would be a solid veteran wing option as Jrue’s brother this is an exciting option. Another interesting option is Craig who would give the Celtics a low-cost 3-and-D wing. The Celtics had interest in Dunn at the deadline, his defensive fit off the bench is intriguing.
While they are not technically free agents, this offseason two key Celtics are eligible for extensions: Jayson Tatum and Derrick White. Tatum is set to receive a five-year $315 million dollar supermax contract that would make him the league’s highest-paid player. As the catalyst of a championship-winning team securing Tatum under this long-term deal is an easy decision.
White is eligible for a four-year $126 million dollar extension. The Celtics and White are reportedly actively working on this extension. Securing these two key core pieces will be a top priority for the Celtics this offseason and both players are likely to agree to their extensions early in the offseason. The Celtics have a championship core and they have a real chance to sustain this success. As a result, their offseason goals will focus on keeping the core together and small upgrades around them.
