Boston Celtics Team Review

 

2021-22 Finish: 36-46

 

Season Highlight:

The plan is clear in Boston, compile a stacked roster of young, developing talent, watch them grow then flick the winning switch when the time is right. So far things appear to be going great on the player development end. The Celtics youth are the envy of the rest of the league.

This past season, Jayson Tatum took another step towards his claim for being the best young player in the league, Darius Garland made a giant leap towards becoming a superstar point guard, Porter Jr, Dort, Sengun, Avdija, Kuminga, Martin Jr, Grant Williams and Moses Moody all showed flashes of at the very least being long-term starting level talent. And GM Toby was able to hold them back just enough to land in the late lottery, another clear plan to continue to add young, potential laden talent. The future is very bright in Boston. And its all going according to Toby�s master plan.

Season Lowlight:

It�s fair to say two things probably didn�t go to plan for Toby and the Boston Celtics this season. The first being that their two late lottery picks didn�t move up into the top 3. While other teams have been lucky enough to see their late firsts turn into gold, Boston were not so fortunate.

The other is the lack of development of former number 2 pick James Wiseman. Wiseman was brought across in a blockbuster trade 2 seasons ago but has only managed 28 games for the Celtics. While this does help keep the wins at bay, many are starting to wonder if Wiseman might soon earn the dreaded bust tag.

Best Trade:

Celtics send: Steven Adams, Pick 59 and a 2023 2^nd round pick
Celtics get: Serge Ibaka, Joshua Primo, Pick 12, cash

The Celtics didn�t make a whole lot of moves, preferring to keep and grow their young talent. Any trades that were made were to move on veterans and win now guys for more youth and picks, like the trade above. This was probably the best of the bunch. Adams moves on to a contender, while Pick 12 and Primo could be anything.

Worst Trade:

Celtics send: Kevon Looney, Malik Beasley, 2026 1^st round pick
Celtics get: Steven Adams

I understand the need to consolidate, but I feel like value was lost here. I�m a big Looney guy and put him at a similar level to Adams, then to lose Beasley and a 1^st as well makes this one a loss in my eyes.

Other Notable Trades:

Celtics send: Serge Ibaka
Celtics get: Taurean Prince, 2023 2^nd round pick, cash

Out goes the veteran Ibaka for a pick and another guy they would hope to flip for value. In the end Prince would be released, so didn�t quite go as well as hoped.

Celtics send: JT Thor
Celtics get: Michael Carter-Williams, Pick 37

Carter-Williams was dumped shortly after, pick 37 for Thor seems a little light as I know Pete is high on him.

Celtics send: Zach Collins
Celtics get: 2024 2^nd round pick

Collins getting a little too old for the Celtics at 25, I like this for Boston as it clears up a much-needed roster spot and come salary.

Free Agency:

Never a big player in free agency, the Celtics generally have very few roster spots with all their young guys still locked up on rookie deals. Unless another condensing move is made, the Celtics will be very inactive again in this coming free agency.

Luguentz Dort � RFA, super easy retain, Dort is developing nicely as a two-way wing or at worst a high level 3 and D guy.

Tyrell Terry � RFA, 2 way guy with no deal in the NBA yet. Could go either way. 

Joel Ayayi � RFA, 2 way guy with no deal in the NBA yet. Could go either way. 

Star:

Jayson Tatum

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At just 24 years young, Tatum is the franchise corner stone of the Celtics, the team�s leader, and best player and one of the most talented two-way wings in all of basketball. Tatum has the size, athleticism, shooting stroke, defensive acumen, and confidence to be the best in the league one day. It�s just a matter of when Toby releases the shackles. Tatum�s minutes are always restricted and well below every other star of his calibre. In just 26 minutes last season, Tatum still dropped 20 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. Look out league when Toby starts trying to maximise his minutes.

 

Flop:

James Wiseman

Already mentioned as one of the season�s lowlights, James Wiseman failed to play a game for the Celtics in 2021-22. With questions already being raised about his basketball IQ and feel for the game, Wiseman needs to be playing basketball to learn and show that he can belong in this league. For a former number 2 pick, this is a huge concern. Wiseman really needs a big season with a team option looming at the end of next season.

 

Draft Grades:

#11 � Johnny Davis
#12 � Jeremy Sochan

#37 � Gabriele Procida

#41 � Ismael Kamagate

Davis was a consensus B+ pick by draft reviewers, a riser throughout the draft process Davis has good intangibles and good size however there are concerns over his ceiling and his position in the depth chart in Boston.

Sochan averaged out to an A pick by draft reviewers who love his energy athleticism and defensive upside. He was a great pick at this point in the draft and if he can improve his offensive game and find a reliable jump shot, he could become a steal.

Procida was judged as a B+ pick, a stash guy who makes sense for Boston due to their lack of roster spots. He can handle the ball, shoot, and has good size. Worth a shot in the 2^nd round.

Kamagate was judged as a B+ pick, another stash guy who will await his chance to make the jump to the NSL while playing in France. Another guy with good size and basketball IQ.

 

 

The Future:

Well, the future is bright in Boston, we have touched on this a lot. But what does next season look like? Is Toby ready to flick the switch from building to winning? Right now, I get the feeling that he is not quite ready. But will he be able to hold this team back enough to still be adding lottery talent again at seasons end? The depth chart is formidable with probably just a question mark at center, should James Wiseman miss a lot of games again then they will find themselves short here. That might bring the losses required to again add lottery talent, potentially a big man. Another season of development and a center to anchor this team might be just the ticket for Toby and then the real fun begins. The wins should flow, and the next problem arises. How to pay all these guys?

C: James Wiseman / Alperen Sengun
PF: Jonathan Kuminga / Grant Williams / Jeremy Sochan
SF: Jayson Tatum / Kenyon Martin Jr. / Moses Moody
SG: Luguentz Dort / Deni Avdija / Johnny Davis
PG: Darius Garland / Kevin Porter Jr. / Joshua Primo / Jason Preston