After a disappointing second-round exit at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics are looking at a busy offseason which could lead to a lot of turnover within the roster. With general manager Danny Ainge at the helm, no one can predict what will happen this offseason. What all Celtics fans want is an offseason that leaves them hopeful for the 2019-2020 season.
Let’s take a look at what a great offseason could look like for the Celtics.
Free agent signings: This is one of the trickiest parts of the offseason. The Celtics are currently over the salary cap, and it is very unlikely they resign Kyrie Irving.
Who could they sign in the offseason?
- D’Angelo Russell: Since Kyrie Irving has been linked to the Nets, it would be unlikely that Brooklyn will re-sign Russell as both guys play a similar style as a scoring point guard. They will need a point guard with Irving and Terry Rozier leaving, so Russell would be another great young player to an already young core.
- Brook Lopez: After a breakout season where he shot a career high 36.5 percent from beyond the arc, Lopez is looking to cash in on a decent pay day. He is 31 years old, so giving Lopez a three year, $38 million deal would be a good investment in Boston.
Re-sign players: There are a few guys that the Celtics need to bring back if they want to contend in the East.
Here are the players that they Celtics should re-sign.
- Al Horford: Although he has a player option, Danny Ainge hopes that Horford will decline it and re-sign for less money. With that money, Ainge can lure big time free agents to Boston, like Russell and Lopez.
- Marcus Morris: Arguably one of the best Celtics during the Bucks series, Morris epitomizes everything about a true Celtic. He is gritty, does not back down, and plays with heart. Not to mention, he is a good shooter and defender who gives energy on both sides of the ball.
- Brad Wanamaker: With all three point guards hitting the open market, Wanamaker would most likely be the only one that comes back. He made under $1 million last season and had some decent production when he played.
Build through the draft: The Celtics own three first-round picks in the 2019 draft, their best being at 14. Ainge should look to draft some guys who can give good minutes off the bench.
These rookies would be the most ideal fits in Boston.
- Coby White: If White falls to pick 14, it is a no-brainer for Ainge. He has the speed, the shot, and the ability to score from anywhere on the floor. White is only 19 years old and has the potential to be another great piece in this young core.
- Tyler Herro: The Celtics struggled to shoot the ball well toward the end of the season and Herro could easily fix that. He is a good three point shooter and is another one of those young players that could bolster the Celtics roster.
- Bol Bol: The son of the late Manute Bol, Bol Bol was highly recruited coming out of high school, but did not play much in his only season at Oregon. For his size at 7-foot-2, he is a great shooter and has good athleticism. This would be a risk that is worth taking.
The bottom line: With Kyrie Irving out of the picture, the Celtics will need a new leader to step up. Brad Stevens will need to do a better job of controlling this mix of veterans and young guys. In a league where shooting is so important, the Celtics will load up with guys who can knockdown shots consistently.
If this offseason pans out like this, then the Celtics would be a contender in not only the East, but the entire league.