NBA · 1 year ago

Celtics Dynasty: 5 Offseason Moves for a Repeat Championship

John Canady

Host · Writer

5) Get Kristaps Porzingis healthy
Kristaps Porzingis has been a massive addition for the Celtics since landing him in a blockbuster trade last offseason. The big man has unlocked a new level for the Celtics, and his fit alongside the Jays has been perfect. Throughout the season, Porzingis was mostly durable, coming off the healthiest season of his career with the Wizards. However, the Latvian product strained his calf in the team’s first-round series against the Heat, which kept him out until Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Fast forward two games later, and Porzingis got injured yet again with a rare injury that restricted his impact for the rest of the series. For Boston, their goal will be to get their star center back healthy next season, and they hope to get him back for an entire year with no injury bugs along the way.
Celtics Dynasty: 5 Offseason Moves for a Repeat Championship
The Boston Celtics completed their historic regular season with one of the most dominant postseason runs in NBA history. With the C’s bringing the franchise's 18th championship back to Beantown, they’ll enter next season as reigning champs looking to go back-to-back. If Brad Stevens and the Celtics hope to repeat, these five moves could be vital to bringing Boston to the start of another NBA dynasty.
1) Get an extension done with Derrick White
Derrick White has arguably been one of the best trades that Brad Stevens has pulled off in his new role. The two-way guard has been tremendous in his first year as the starting point guard for the Celtics, setting career highs in every category and averaging 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and one steal throughout the regular season. With the new CBA guidelines, the odds are against the C’s maintaining a dynasty for years to come, but if anyone can do it, the duo of Stevens and his salary cap guru Mike Zarren can.
2) Trade for Torrey Craig
Torrey Craig was a rumored name to monitor for the Celtics at the deadline. The wing has made a career for himself as a consistent role player, which bodes well for him as contenders look for players on his level. Craig could provide Boston with much-needed depth as a 3-and-D player who could fit in the rotation and provide valuable minutes alongside the Celtics' star duo. With his $2.6 million salary, the C's could land Craig in a deal without giving up any valuable assets.
3) Re-sign Xavier Tillman
The Celtics made the move at the trade deadline to bring Xavier Tillman in as insurance in the frontcourt with Kristaps Porzingis's injury history and Al Horford’s potential looming retirement. With Tillman entering restricted free agency, Brad Stevens saw a future with the big man’s fit on the roster to make the move. The 25-year-old is an exceptional defender and has shown potential to stretch the floor. If Boston can strike a deal to bring Tillman back, not only will he be a rotational piece next season, but he could be the replacement for Horford if the veteran calls it a career.
4) Sign Kris Dunn to a prove-it deal
The Celtics traded for Kris Dunn in 2021 before flipping the versatile guard a month later in another deal. The guard didn’t get a chance to suit up for the team, but he could be the perfect addition to the team’s current roster as a free agent. The former Providence star was selected in the 2016 lottery, where he was rumored to be a potential target for the Celtics before selecting Jaylen Brown. Nonetheless, as a former lottery pick, Dunn has always had the talent, and he’s shown glimpses of it in his previous stops, especially with the Jazz this past year. He could be a bargain player for the C’s at the right price, with the potential to be a key rotation piece.
5) Get Kristaps Porzingis healthy
Kristaps Porzingis has been a massive addition for the Celtics since landing him in a blockbuster trade last offseason. The big man has unlocked a new level for the Celtics, and his fit alongside the Jays has been perfect. Throughout the season, Porzingis was mostly durable, coming off the healthiest season of his career with the Wizards. However, the Latvian product strained his calf in the team’s first-round series against the Heat, which kept him out until Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Fast forward two games later, and Porzingis got injured yet again with a rare injury that restricted his impact for the rest of the series. For Boston, their goal will be to get their star center back healthy next season, and they hope to get him back for an entire year with no injury bugs along the way.
Celtics Dynasty: 5 Offseason Moves for a Repeat Championship
The Boston Celtics completed their historic regular season with one of the most dominant postseason runs in NBA history. With the C’s bringing the franchise's 18th championship back to Beantown, they’ll enter next season as reigning champs looking to go back-to-back. If Brad Stevens and the Celtics hope to repeat, these five moves could be vital to bringing Boston to the start of another NBA dynasty.