7. Boston Celtics
Like the Golden State Warriors, Boston needed a starting center and acquired Nikola Vucevic from Chicago for Anfernee Simons. Vucevic will immediately step into the starting lineup. Therefore, Neemais Queta will head back to the bench,h thus strengthening their frontcourt. The C’s have a top-10 starting lineup and a top-5 bench.
Vucevic is a big body who has improved as a shooter and passer throughout his career. As a facilitating big, Vucevic is an ideal fit with the Celtics, who love launching threes. The Celtics rank second in the league in three-point attempts and second in threes made, along with 10th in 3-point percentage.
Vucevic is more of an offensive center than a defensive one, though he is capable on that end in the post. He is an elite defensive rebounder and excels as a screener. His efficiency has declined this year, but he is still an effective big.
The big question is whether the Celtics will miss Simons’ scoring punch off the bench. Simons played exceptionally well for the Celtics, leading their reserves with 14 points a game. He was a major reason the C’s rank second in three-point shooting. Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, and Jordan Walsh will have to step up to cover for Simons’ loss.
Boston has the second-best record in the East at 33-18. But whether the Celtics will be contenders will ultimately hinge on whether Jayson Tatum plays this season.
