FeltonX
What’s the difference between an offense centered around Brown and an offense centered around Tatum?
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the best X’s and O’s guy. Thankfully there are lots of great minds writing for this site. However, my feel for it is that Tatum is better at distributing the ball (including setting up the play, bending the defense, and taking advantage of what the defense gives him). The downside is that he is sometimes a little too deliberate, holding onto the ball instead
of making decisive decisions. Brown is a bit more decisive but that can get him in trouble if he guesses wrong and while he’s improved as a distributor, he’s not as adept at it as Tatum is.
Some have defined it as Brown being a play-finisher while Tatum is more of a play-maker. That might sound dismissive, but you need both and they’ve obviously had success together. So why not feature both?
Hurdler17
Would it be worth it to use a TPE and picks for Dort at 18mil or Hartenstein at 28 million. OKC has to start paying JDub and Chet, and these bench guys have a team options and are paid way more than they would get in the open market probably.
From OKC’s perspective I could see Dort being a cap casualty, so he’ll be on the market. With that said, I don’t think he addresses the Celtics needs. Hartenstein would be exactly what we’re looking for, but I find it hard to believe that OKC will let him go. Especially after Chet’s most recent impression in the playoffs. Also, does OKC really need more picks? I guess they are good currency if they are in the future, but at some point you have to trade them or use them.
ArmenianCeltsFan123
Would you be open to trading Sam Hauser, a pick, and another player (maybe a sign and trade with Vucevic) in exchange for Myles Turner who would fit into our TPE? You’d be doing right by Hauser to send him back to his hometown and you’d open up some room for the younger core to get more rotation minutes. I also like the idea of a veteran, playoff-tested center who can spread the floor and is a decent rim protector. Of course this only works if Milwaukee is heading for a rebuild.
Mindful we’d be taking on some additional money in that deal but with some maneuvering I think you’d still be able to pull it off and stay below the luxury tax without breaking up the Jays or trading D White. Welcome your thoughts.
First of all, Turner fits right into the TPE, so you technically don’t have to include any other salaries going the other way. Of course, the Celtics would probably want to cut costs, so they might end up sending out Sam Hauser and/or other assets in a hypothetical trade.
I think the consensus on Turner is that his best days may be behind him. He has theoretical value as a stretch big that should be able to defend, but I don’t know if that’s the guy the Celtics need. He certainly isn’t going to solve the “attack the rim with layups and dunks” issue.
Good, creative thinking though. I might prefer someone like Nic Claxton if he’s available. Or preferably someone a little cheaper.
overseasfansince1984
I’ve posted this before and would appreciate your opinion. It seems to me that the era of dominant big wings is over in the modern NBA. Every contender is now built around a skilled guard and a shooting big, with wings relegated to being 3-and-D players. I don’t have a definitive answer to this question, but is it wise to double down on having two big wings as your best, and most expensive, two players, or should we consider following the new trend?
It is an interesting question. I would pose a question back: Is it more of a guards/bigs era, or is the shortage of elite big wings creating a situation where other positions have to step up? The Celtics won a title 2 years ago with two big wings. OKC’s title was based on a point guard and a very high quality wing (and an elite defense).
I still think that having elite wings is something that all 30 teams would prefer to have. The Celtics have 2 of them and we shouldn’t overlook that or overthink it. The next objective is to build the roster around them.
The more challenging thing (and not really part of your question) is how do you build a roster around two wings making close to $60M each? There’s the rub.
The Next Banner
The best thing that ever happened to the 29 teams chasing the Oklahoma City Thunder may have been the rise of the San Antonio Spurs.
That sounds great for San Antonio, but how does it help everyone else, especially the Boston Celtics?
I think of it like Final Jeopardy. If the leader has $20,000 while second place has $9,000 and third has $8,000, the game is essentially over. The leader can play conservatively because no one is close enough to force a difficult decision. But if second place has $15,000 instead of $9,000, the leader is suddenly forced to take risks. Those risks create opportunities for everyone else.
The NBA is obviously more complicated than a game show, but the principle is similar. My theory is that the Thunder and Spurs may push each other into making roster moves and strategic adjustments designed specifically to beat one another. In doing so, they could become more optimized for that matchup while becoming slightly less optimized against the rest of the league.
If that happens, the existence of a true rival could create opportunities for every other contender.
Thoughts?
Really creative question, thanks for this. I think I follow your logic. In short, by pushing OKC to “solve” the Wemby problem, they may expose weaknesses that non-Spurs teams can exploit. I’ll add that the Aprons and Tax Threshold will have a say in that process as well. The Celtics were forced to make strategic cuts and Boston is a big market. I can only imagine what kinds of financial decisions the Thunder need to make now. Granted, they have the picks to help make things happen and a great GM. So we’ll see.
It is, perhaps, a little easier in the East since you know that you’ll only have to face Wemby if you reach the Finals and (cue the cliche) “anything can happen in a 7 game series.”
All that said, these things evolve quickly. Just 11 months ago everyone assumed that OKC was the major puzzle to solve for the next 5 years. Now we’re on to the next thing. I tend to think that (ironically, given Brad’s comments) the key to solving the Wemby problem is elite outside shooting. But I guess we’ll see.
Katahdin
What are your thoughts on a trade with Detroit for Stewart? The Celtics need another center and toughness. Detroit needs shooting. Hauser plus picks with Stewart coming into the trade exception?
Great minds think alike. I’ve proposed the same (or a similar) deal in the past. I don’t remember if I wrote about it in an article or whatever, but it makes sense. Beef Stew is certainly a guy that puts pressure on the rim. The Pistons could use some more shooting. Both teams win? Same logic could apply to several bigs that could be on the market.
CelticsWest
What are realistic developmental targets in 26-27 for the students/grads of Celtics University? All of em: Neemi, Walsh, Baylor, Hugo, RHJ, Amari, Shulga, and even John Tonje.
Ok, let me put on my best fortune teller outfit and gaze into my crystal ball.
Queta: You can’t teach size, and Neemi has the dimensions of an old-school center with enough athleticism to play in the modern NBA. I’m done doubting him, he’s a legit starting center for a contender right now. I don’t think he’ll develop into an All Star, but then again he doesn’t need to.
Walsh: I worry about his offensive feel, but you can’t argue with his defensive impact. I’m sure he’s putting up thousands of 3 pointers a day in his offseason workouts. If he can master that skill, he could have a long career as a 3-and-D wing.
Baylor: Oh man, what’s Baylor’s upside? In his mind it is probably Michael Jordan. I would settle for Aaron Neesmith. Don’t read into that comparison too much, I was just trying to think of level-of-impact, not necessarily play-style. He’s probably a good enough Hauser replacement (less shooting % and more playmaking) if they decide to move on from Sam.
Hugo I refuse to put a ceiling on, if only because I have no idea what his upside is. He certainly trends more defensive, but he’s got some good feel for the offensive end as well. I think he has the talent to be a starting wing but in Boston he’ll likely be stuck behind the Jays for the foreseeable future and that’s ok.
The rest are all in the “roll of the dice” category. Any of them could be a rotational player next year with starter upside down the line. Any of them could be out of the league just as quickly. We’ll see. I think Harper is my favorite, but I’m also rooting for Amari because of his size.
357Dust
Who can they realistically get for DWhite? Tweaking around the edges isn’t good enough. AND if they are not breaking up the Jays then the most valued piece around the league has to be DWhite even with slippage – no one really wants to trade DWhite but they broke him with this Chuck a Three and by not allowing him to play the best version of himself they have diminished his impact.
The last 2 playoff exits should not be dismissed, ignored or just brushed aside. So the real question is what is the playstyle they want to move forward with. Are they on the same page? Is it we prefer dunks or is it chuck a three or finding 2 on 1’s and creating 2 on 1’s and seeking out 2 on 1’s – if we want to do this chuck a three thing – then go acquire more shooting and really commit to this. Otherwise cut the crap and play the right way – but the problem is Tatum prefers to play 30 feet from the basket which really doesn’t fit what Brown and White do best which is play in midrange or at the basket……so pick a lane and figure it out.
They cater to Tatum and they are a prisoner of his DNA and as long as this is who he is – we will have 2024 and that is about it. Toss in the new ownership group more concerned with the bottom line and taxes (mostly avoiding them that is) then it really will be hard to look like we did in 2024. Brad has his work cut out for him and anxious to see how this all unfolds.
This reads more like a statement than a question, but I’ll take the first question and start there. I think the Celtics could get a lot for Derrick White if they decided to trade him. I wrote about this earlier and submitted De’Aaron Fox as an option, though that might be less realistic with them in the Finals. White is basically a fringe-All Star level player, who’s worth is nearly impossible to measure with stats. We already lost Jrue Holiday and Al Horford, two critical glue type pieces to our title. I think the dropoff from losing White would be noticeable if not easily defined or measured.
With all that said, the team is going to need to make difficult decisions with the cap and tax and if they aren’t breaking up the Jays, the next biggest salary to look at is White’s. So nothing can be dismissed out of hand.
Mitchs Dad
Do we take statements of ownership and management at face value or do we read between the lines? In other words are the Celtics prepared to spend (if so, when?)
Actions always speak louder than words. We have yet to see the new ownership group have a chance to show their actions as Wyc and the previous group did. I tend to think that they’ll follow the same gamplan. If the team is good enough to contend, and there’s a reasonable pathway to that goal, I do think they’ll spend. But I wouldn’t expect them to go deep into the tax for marginal upgrades or questionable salaries.
If Brad can present them a plan that makes sense, I think they’d be willing. But time and actions will tell.
MPLBaller
I don’t understand why the Celtics have to avoid the repeater tax in the 2026-27 season, can’t they do that in the 2027-28 season. It seems to me, this would a be a wasted year under the premise of saving $$. They have a 27 million dollar TPE to use, tradable contracts in White, Hauser and any other the young players out side of Hugo. Plus they will need to pay Pritchard if the Celts want to keep him. Why not swing for the fences this year and worry about the 27 season to be under the cap.
Good question, and I’ll once again stress that I’m not a cap expert, but I do love reading and listening to Keith Smith, so I’ll give this a shot. Keep in mind that if the team wants to avoid the repeater tax, they have to be below the tax line in 3 out of 4 years. Since they were tax payers the previous 2 years, this past year is year one of that scenario. If they blow through the tax this year, then that would put a lot of pressure on the team to either contend immediately (not out of the question) or drop below the line for the following 2 years.
I think everyone assumes they’ll try to duck the tax based on their actions of the past year (dipping below the line with all the offseason and trade deadline moves). However, as stated above, if the team is convinced that they are ready to contend, I would imagine that they’ll at least be willing to entertain options to pay the tax going forward.
poindexterregan
There’s talk OKC might be looking to move Chet Holmgren. We need a bone-fide big, any interest here if we can’t get Giannis?
Chet didn’t exactly cover himself in glory in the Spurs series. Of course, playing against an alien can do that to you. That said, he’s still an elite level defensive big with upside on the offensive end. If he’s available, the price will be high. And speaking of price, keep in mind he’s set to be paid a lot on the extension that is set to kick in this summer, starting at $41M per year.
If he’s really available, he’s an interesting option to consider. I just wouldn’t hold my breath that he’s available at a reasonable price.
RyderRanger
There seems to be a glut of wings on the team. A good thing in some ways but not realistic for all to develop and fit. So who goes and who stays? I got the impression Brad REALLY likes Hugo, and at 20 years old I see them wanting to develop him for sure. But then you’ve got Walsh, Scheierman, Harper jr etc. If they keep 2 of them, which other guy sticks with Hugo? My guess is Scheierman, what is yours?
I think Scheierman seems to have the most well-rounded game, so I think he has a leg up. I’m not ruling out the other two though, especially when you factor in their ages. As I mentioned elsewhere, Walsh has a way to go on offense, but his defense makes him work keeping around. Decisions become harder on guys like that when they approach their next contract. At some point you have to either commit or give his spot to someone else with better upside. For that reason, I think Walsh is the most likely to be included in a trade if they need to make salaries work.
c’s the day
Are we too excited (and biased) about our young bench? Who truly projects to be a contributor, journeyman, or out of the league?
We covered some of this ground in some of the other questions above, but briefly I think Hugo can be a starter (or high level sub behind the Jays), Scheierman can be a contributor, Walsh and Harper have to show more if they want to be more than a journeyman. Garza has value as a 3rd string center, but shouldn’t be the first big off the bench (at least in the playoffs).
BirdStealsTheBall
I still believe in this team. We’ve got two elite wings in JB and JT. Tatum is going to come back this year better than ever. We’ve got an All NBA 1st team defensive player in D. White whose shooting is likely to return to the mean next year. We’ve got former sixth man of the year Pritchard and a whole bunch of young guys with huge upside. Queta is a solid back up center. We are one decent center away from being contenders. I have faith.
Preach on. At a minimum this team needs to address the center position, but we’ve known that for the past year. I think we also need some depth at point guard. We know that Brad wants to attack the basket more and I think that will require some roster management, but can also be a point of emphasis for the core of the team right now.
I think ultimately we overachieved a bit in the regular season and found out in the playoffs just how valuable guys like Jrue Holiday, Luke Kornet, and Al Horford were to the playoff success of this team. That’s not easy to replicate, in particular with a younger bench. However, our young wings will grow from this year’s experience and we’ll see how the rest of the roster fills out. It should be an interesting offseason and a fun season coming up.
Thanks for the questions everyone!
