With Marcus Smart gone, the Boston Celtics could potentially look at guards on the open market who could give them good production in his place. Steve Popper of Newsday floated Derrick Rose as an option for the Celtics.

After Rose’s team option was declined by the New York Knicks on June 24, Popper mentioned the Celtics could be among the teams interested in Rose as a free agent this summer.

“There are contending teams — the Lakers, Suns, and Celtics or even a return to his hometown Bulls — who could have minutes available at point guard for Rose. He is healthy and has adjusted his game, becoming more of a three-point threat in recent years.”

Before this season, where he shot 30.2% from three in a minimized role, Rose put up three-point shooting percentages of 40.2% and 38.8% the two seasons before that.

Rose won the league’s Most Valuable Player award in his third NBA season in 2011, but multiple extensive knee injuries cut his prime short. Rose has successfully transitioned into more of a role player, with his days as a star long past him.

With Smart gone, there could be room for Rose in the Celtics’ guard rotation, especially if they plan to handle Malcolm Brogdon with kid gloves like they did last season.

Derrick White May Have Been Why Marcus Smart Was Traded

While many can speculate on why the Celtics decided to trade Smart in their deal to acquire Kristaps Porzingis, Bill Simmons explained on the June 23 episode of “Off the Pike with Brian Barrett” why he believes the Celtics decided it was time to move on.

Simmons started by saying Smart’s reputation with the team made it hard for the Celtics to bench him.

“I think Marcus has been on the team for nine years and felt like it was his team,” Simmons said. “It was him and Tatum and Brown. It was the big three, and he had an outsized voice in the locker room, on the court. I think it was really tough to bench him.”

Not benching him meant fewer minutes for Derrick White, who Simmons believes is the better player.

“I think it became a real thing where (Smart) was being treated like he was Tatum or Brown. Meanwhile, White was the better guard the whole year unquestionably, so maybe that was a piece of it. I just feel like, eh, this is awkward. Maybe we gotta just fix this.”

Payton Pritchard Likely Staying With Celtics

Before it was revealed that Smart would be traded, Brian Robb of MassLive reported what Malcolm Brogdon’s departure would mean for Payton Pritchard’s role on the team going forward.

“Boston would likely retain Payton Pritchard in such a scenario as he would slot into a reserve guard position if Brogdon were dealt unless the Wizards insisted on his inclusion in a deal,” Robb wrote.

Whether it was Smart or Brogdon, one of the Celtics guards being traded away means more time for Pritchard pending any more trades. Of course, if they add Derrick Rose into the picture, that could very well put Pritchard back in the doghouse.

This offseason, the Boston Celtics have several players slated to hit free agency with fourth-year forward Grant Williams serving as the headliner of the bunch.

There are bound to be several opposing ball clubs vying for his services on the open market and Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey believes the sharpshooter should be viewed as the “top target” for the Dallas Mavericks.

“If he is indeed available, the Dallas Mavericks should pursue him with the mid-level exception they would have access to in the event Kyrie Irving re-signs and takes them over the salary cap. Dallas already landed a big man who can roll to the rim in Richaun Holmes on draft night (presumably with a trade exception it created earlier by trading Dāvis Bertāns).

“Now, the Mavs could use another big who can space the floor for Kyrie and Luka Dončić’s drives. Over the last three seasons, Williams has averaged 7.0 points and 1.2 threes, while shooting 39.7 percent from deep. And perhaps just as important, he’s shown a solid ability to defend centers and bigger wings,” Bailey wrote.

Bailey would continue on to note that, considering his restricted free-agent label, the Celtics would have the ability to match any offer sheet extended to Grant Williams, thus making a possible pursuit of him in free agency potentially complex.

However, recent rumblings may suggest that Boston might not be as hell-bent on bringing him back as they once may have been.

Kristaps Porzingis Makes Grant Williams Expendable

Just recently, the Boston Celtics made a rather sizeable splash with their decision to trade for former All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis.

While the blockbuster certainly adds some much-needed depth to their big-man rotation, the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach suggests that it simultaneously seems to spell the end of Grant Williams’ tenure in Beantown.

“According to multiple league sources, the completion of the Porziņģis deal would likely mean that Grant Williams’s time in Boston has come to an end,” Himmelsbach said via Twitter.

Should this prove to be the case, recent reports by Mass Live’s Brian Robb suggest the Celtics could be looking to take part in some sort of sign-and-trade involving the 24-year-old, which, in turn, could subsequently aid in Bailey’s suggestion for the Mavericks to pursue his shooting talents.

“Boston has the ability to address that depth issue if they bring back Grant Williams but that seems to be a long shot at this point barring another big move, per sources. The money and likely role for him is not there with Porzingis signed at $36 million. Instead, look for the Celtics to try to swing a sign-and-trade with him per sources and instead add another player for guard/wing depth or grab a future draft asset or traded player exception,” Robb wrote.

Grant Williams is coming off a 2022-23 campaign where he posted career-best per-game averages in points (8.1), rebounds (4.6), and assists (1.7) while cashing in on 39.5% of his shot attempts from beyond the arc.

Torrey Craig ‘Top Target’ For Celtics

Grant Williams may be seen as the “top target” the Mavericks should consider pursuing this summer, but when it comes to the Celtics, Andy Bailey seems to believe that veteran wing Torrey Craig and his defensive abilities should be atop the wish list for Brad Stevens and company.

“There’s a good chance the Boston Celtics will be a luxury tax-paying team in 2023-24, which makes potential targets in free agency far less glamorous. And that’s fine. Boston already made a huge splash when it acquired Kristaps Porziņģis in a trade. Now, it should be looking to fill out the rotation with wings (presumably on minimum contracts) who can fit into a sometimes positionless scheme with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Torrey Craig is a multipositional defender in that salary range who shot 39.5 percent from deep in 2022-23,” Bailey wrote.

The 3&D veteran has been linked as a possible target for the Celtics on more than one occasion, with Masslive’s Brian Robb suggesting back at around this past season’s trade deadline that he would be a quality addition to Joe Mazzulla‘s rotation.

Through 79 games played with the Suns in 2022-23, Torrey Craig went on to post averages of 7.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and just shy of a block while shooting 45.6% from the field and 39.5% from deep.

The Boston Celtics shocked the masses when they traded Marcus Smart in their three-way deal to acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards. While no one knows why exactly the Celtics decided to part with their longest-tenured player in the trade, Bill Simmons gave his take on why the Celtics decided to trade him.

On the June 23 episode of “Off the Pike with Brian Barrett,” Simmons explained why Smart’s influence on the team made it hard for them to bench him.

“I think Marcus has been on the team for nine years and felt like it was his team,” Simmons said. “It was him and Tatum and Brown. It was the big three, and he had an outsized voice in the locker room, on the court. I think it was really tough to bench him.”

Simmons added that because it was tough to bench him, it got in the way of them playing Derrick White, who Simmons believed was better than Smart, which led to the trade.

“I think it became a real thing where (Smart) was being treated like he was Tatum or Brown. Meanwhile, White was the better guard the whole year unquestionably, so maybe that was a piece of it. I just feel like, eh, this is awkward. Maybe we gotta just fix this.”

Unless the Celtics make more moves, White is likely to slide in as the Celtics’ starting point guard.

Brad Stevens Gets Emotional Talking About Marcus Smart

In his first press conference after he traded Smart, President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens started to get emotional when talking about the impact Smart had on the Celtics.

“As I told him, when he got here, we were 25-57 the year before,” Stevens said. “The greatest legacy that you can leave is to be someplace, and it’s better off because you were there, and I think everybody here feels that way. He will always be appreciated and thought of so fondly here for any number of reasons… We’re all really grateful to have had Marcus in our life for as long as we’ve had.”

Stevens added that he believes Smart will have “a huge impact on that really good Memphis team” while adding that trading him was hard.

Smart has been around the Celtics for nearly as long as Stevens, who had been hired one year prior to when the Celtics had drafted Smart.

Jayson Tatum Promises Reunion With Marcus Smart

Following the trade, Jayson Tatum took to Instagram to pay tribute to his former teammate. In the process, Tatum vowed to not only play with Smart again but also win a title together.

“My dawg Forever grateful for you and how you pushed me and helped me along this journey. Never change keep being you, one of a kind can never be replaced! My brotha for life! We gone link back up one day and get us one no doubt about that! Until then, Much love brodie!”

Smart has been Tatum’s teammate ever since he came into the league in 2017. With the former now off to Memphis, Tatum is expected to shoulder more of the playmaking load.

Already this offseason, the Boston Celtics have opted to shake things up in a major way, as they struck on a multi-team blockbuster that landed them former All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis. Now, with several months remaining until the start of the 2023-24 campaign, one can only assume that more moves will wind up being made.

To Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey, Brad Stevens and company should look to prioritize addressing their wing depth and defensive versatility and suggests that Phoenix Suns veteran Torrey Craig should be a “top target” for the C’s in free agency.

“There’s a good chance the Boston Celtics will be a luxury tax-paying team in 2023-24, which makes potential targets in free agency far less glamorous. And that’s fine. Boston already made a huge splash when it acquired Kristaps Porziņģis in a trade. Now, it should be looking to fill out the rotation with wings (presumably on minimum contracts) who can fit into a sometimes positionless scheme with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Torrey Craig is a multipositional defender in that salary range who shot 39.5 percent from deep in 2022-23,” Bailey wrote.

Craig has been linked as a possible option for the Celtics for quite some time, with Masslive’s Brian Robb suggesting back at around the trade deadline that the front office should have considered pursuing his services.

Now, slated to be available on the open market, Bailey believes that the idea of attaining the 3&D wing on a low-cost contract could be a logical next move for Boston to make.

Through 79 games played with the Suns in 2022-23, Torrey Craig went on to post averages of 7.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and just shy of a block while shooting 45.6% from the field and 39.5% from deep.

Brad Stevens Discusses Marcus Smart’s Impact on Celtics

The decision to include long-tenured Celtics guard Marcus Smart in the Kristaps Porzingis trade was not an easy one for the front office to make, and Brad Stevens made this completely apparent during a recent press conference.

Talking to reporters Thursday evening, while visibly emotional, Boston’s president of basketball operations acknowledged that trading the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year was “hard,” and issued a heartfelt analysis of the impact that Smart had on the organization during his nine-year stay.

“As I told him, when he got here we were 25-57 the year before. The greatest legacy that you can leave is to be someplace and it’s better off because you were there and I think everybody here feels that way,” Brad Stevens said of Marcus Smart. “He will always be appreciated and thought of so fondly here for any number of reasons… We’re all really grateful to have had Marcus in our life for as long as we have.”

Stevens would cap off his salute to Marcus Smart by stating that while it may have been painful to part ways with the veteran, ultimately, he believes he’ll have “a huge impact on that really good Memphis team.”

Marcus Smart ‘Still Trying to Process’ Celtics Trade

According to a report by Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe following the blockbuster transaction, it was revealed that Marcus Smart “was completely shocked” when hearing he was being traded from the Celtics and that he “is still trying to process it.”

“Marcus loves Boston. He thought he was going to retire there. He wanted to retire there,” Himmelsbach wrote.

Marcus Smart finishes his Celtics career with three All-Defensive team selections, per-game averages of 10.6 points, 4.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals, and, in 2022, became the first guard since Gary Payton in 1996 to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

The Boston Celtics traded longtime guard Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies in a multi-team blockbuster that, ultimately, landed former All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis in Boston.

During a June 22 press conference, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens held back his emotions as he addressed the transaction, providing a heartfelt analysis of the impact that Smart had on the organization throughout his nine-year tenure.

“As I told him, when he got here we were 25-57 the year before,” Stevens said. “The greatest legacy that you can leave is to be someplace and it’s better off because you were there, and I think everybody here feels that way. He will always be appreciated and thought of so fondly here for any number of reasons… We’re all really grateful to have had Marcus in our life for as long as we have.”

Stevens said Smart, 29, was going to have “a huge impact on that really good Memphis team.” And he appeared to choke up when he said the decision to trade him was “hard.”

As difficult as the decision might have been for the Celtics — and as tough as it might be for the Boston fan base, at least one pundit suggested the time was right for such a move.

“Ultimately, this version of the Celtics team was at a crossroads after an ugly finish to the East Finals,” MassLive’s Brian Robb wrote. “With Stevens racing against the clock to maximize Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s window together before their supermax contracts kick in, there was a finite period to ‘shake things up’ among the supporting cast. Wait one more year and the Celtics had very limited flexibility under the CBA and might have been stuck with Smart’s value declining.”

Marcus Smart ‘Completely Shocked’ by Celtics Trade

Smart himself “was completely shocked” by the news and “is still trying to process it,” according to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe.

“Marcus loves Boston. He thought he was going to retire there. He wanted to retire there,” Himmelsbach tweeted on June 22.

Selected sixth overall by the Celtics in the 2014 NBA draft, Smart has molded himself into one of the league’s premier defenders, earning All-Defensive Team honors three times and becoming in 2022 the first guard since Gary Payton in 1996 to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award. He finished his career in Boston with per-game averages of 10.6 points, 4.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals.

He also became “the heart and soul” of the Celtics, according to The Sporting News, whose Stephen Noe wrote on June 23, “It’s impossible to say what kind of effect it will have on their delicate team chemistry given all of the intangibles, vocal leadership, and energy that Smart brought.”

Stevens said he got a chance to visit with Smart in person on June 22, according to NESN’s Mike Cole.

“It’s just, you’re not going to be around a guy that you like every day, but you’ll always have the relationship that these teammates have, these coaches have and everybody in the building and organization have, and that will be forever,” Stevens said, according to Cole. “Then when you go to a new place, you build a whole new one, and your network doubles. that’s just kind of the way it works.”

Celtics Expected to Make More Moves

The Celtics may not be done making moves this offseason.

According to Heavy Sports NBA insider Steve Bulpett, many across the association are of the belief that the Porzingis blockbuster may just be the beginning of what could turn into a rather active offseason for the Celtics.

“As much as we feel a need to make assessments in the wake of the Marcus Smart/Kristaps Porzingis/and-don’t-forget-the-draft-picks trade, there is the strong belief around the NBA that Brad Stevens isn’t done reshaping the roster,” Bulpett wrote.

With their frontcourt depth now bolstered as a result of the arrival of Porzingis, the Celtics could feasibly consider pursuing more backcourt talents considering the departure of Smart and the concerning health of Malcolm Brogdon.

With Marcus Smart no longer on the Boston Celtics, Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum took to Instagram to pay tribute to Smart following his trade to the Memphis Grizzlies. On his Instagram story, Tatum made a promise that the two would become teammates again someday and win a title together.

“My dawg Forever grateful for you and how you pushed me and helped me along this journey. Never change keep being you, one of a kind can never be replaced! My brotha for life! We gone link back up one day and get us one no doubt about that! Until then, Much love brodie!”

Tatum has had Smart as a teammate every season since coming to the NBA in 2017. The two as a pair have experienced plenty of success together, having made four Eastern Conference Finals and helping the Celtics reach their first NBA Finals since 2010 in 2022.

With Smart gone, the Celtics will turn more to Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon, and Payton Pritchard to fill the void left by Smart unless they make any more moves.

Celtics May Not Be Able to Trade Malcolm Brogdon

Before the Celtics traded Smart, the initial reported deal by The Athletic’s Shams Charania was a three-way trade between the Celtics, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers, in which the Celtics were going to send Brogdon instead.

After ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the deal had fallen through, NBA Insider Marc Stein revealed that the Clippers were scared off by Brogdon’s injury status.

“Concerns raised by the Clippers about Malcolm Brogdon’s injury status, league sources say, led to the collapse of the three-team trade expected to send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston before midnight tonight,” Stein wrote via his personal Twitter.

On ESPN”s Get Up, Brian Windhorst said that Brogdon’s injury status is so bad that the Celtics may not be able to trade him.

“Brogdon has a health issue, a health issue that, as I understand, is so significant that not only can the Celtics not do this trade, there’s probably no Malcolm Brogdon trade that they can do in the short term,” Windhorst said.

Celtics Expected to Make More Moves

Heavy Sports’ Steve Bulpett reported that the Celtics shouldn’t be judged on their most recent trade because they are expected to make more trades.

“As much as we feel a need to make assessments in the wake of the Marcus Smart/Kristaps Porzingis/and-don’t-forget-the-draft-picks trade, there is the strong belief around the NBA that Brad Stevens isn’t done reshaping the roster. Further deals could render some of these points moot,” Bulpett wrote.

There have been no other reports about the Celtics trading any of the players on their current roster since acquiring Porzingis, but with the draft done, so many changes could very well be coming as the offseason progresses.

Bulpett acknowledged that the trade can’t be graded until the Celtics finish making roster moves, but added that he believes the Celtics made out well in the trade.

“Getting to the bottom line early, in terms of cold, hard, on-paper facts, the Celtics came out ahead on this trade,” Bulpett wrote. “But the truth is the deal can’t be properly judged for Boston until it’s seen how many games Porzingis can play and what effect Smart’s loss has on the Celts’ identity. The latter component wasn’t enough to keep the club from self-inflicted eliminations, but we’ll see how the C’s run without his fuel.”

Not too long after helping the Denver Nuggets win their first championship as a franchise, Bruce Brown posted an Instagram story that may have implied that the Boston Celtics could be his next team.

Brown posted an Instagram story with nothing but three grinning emojis while tagging Boston, Massachusetts, indicating where he was when he posted the story.

This could signify that Brown could potentially sign with the Celtics, but something to keep in mind is that Brown hails from Dorchester and may simply be visiting home for the summer.

However, besides that he has Massachusetts roots, Brown opted out of his deal with the Nuggets and will enter the offseason as a free agent. The Celtics won’t have much to offer money-wise, but he would be a good wing addition to a team that could use some depth in that department.

Nonetheless, Brown showed out during the 2023 postseason, as he averaged 12 points and four rebounds while shooting 51.1% from the field. His performance could pave the way for him to be paid handsomely for his services this summer.

Celtics Likely to Extend Kristaps Porzingis

Before the Celtics had officially acquired Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards, NBA Insider Marc Stein reported that it’s likely that the Celtics will sign Porzingis to an extension.

Stein first reported it while the Celtics were discussing a three-way deal with the Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers.

“The three-team deal to send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston is likewise expected to lead to a July contract extension for Porzingis beyond next season’s $36 million player option, league sources say,” Stein wrote.

When the deal was official, Stein reiterated on his Substack that Porzingis would sign on for two more years in July.

“In addition to the obvious chance to compete for a championship with the Celtics, there is a strong expectation already…that the Celtics will sign Porzingis to a two-year extension as soon as he becomes eligible for that deal in early July,” Stein wrote.

Stein then previewed what Porzingis may get from the Celtics.

“After opting into the final year of his current contract at $36 million before a midnight deadline Wednesday to do so, which was a needed step to facilitate this trade to the Celtics, Porziņģis qualifies for a two-year extension worth up to $77 million from his new team.”

Celtics Expected to Make More Trades

After the Celtics traded for Porzingis, Heavy Sports’ Steve Bulpett reported that President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens may not be finished making moves just yet, which is why people should hold their tongue on the deal until it happens.

“As much as we feel a need to make assessments in the wake of the Marcus Smart/Kristaps Porzingis/and-don’t-forget-the-draft-picks trade, there is the strong belief around the NBA that Brad Stevens isn’t done reshaping the roster. Further deals could render some of these points moot.”

Trading Marcus Smart means the Celtics no longer have their best playmaking guard on the roster. While Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White are helpful offensively, they haven’t proven themselves as playmakers like Smart has. The Celtics’ focus this offseason may very well be to find Smart’s replacement.

Before the Boston Celtics shocked their fanbase by trading Marcus Smart, Malcolm Brogdon appeared to have played his last game for the team.

However, after lengthy negotiations, the LA Clippers pulled out of the deal, with rumors circling that Brogdon’s health was a prime factor in the Western Conference Team’s decision.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, who was speaking on a June 22 episode of Get Up, Brogdon’s injury is ‘significant,’ and that could affect Boston’s ability to trade him this summer.

“Brogdon has a health issue, a health issue that, as I understand, is so significant that not only can the Celtics not do this trade, there’s probably no Malcolm Brogdon trade that they can do in the short term,” Windhorst said.

During the playoffs, Brogdon dealt with a partial tendon tear in his elbow, which limited his ability to impact the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat.

When healthy, Brogdon was a huge addition to Boston’s bench rotation this season, averaging 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 48.4% from the field and 44.4% from deep.

Celtics Likely to Extend Kristaps Porzingis

According to Marc Stein, who was writing in his substack newsletter, the Celtics are expected to provide Porzingis with a two-year contract extension in early July – thus removing his ability to be a flight risk next summer.

“The three-team deal to send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston is likewise expected to lead to a July contract extension for Porzingis beyond next season’s $36 million player option, league sources say,” Stein wrote. “In addition to the obvious chance to compete for a championship with the Celtics, there is a strong expectation already…that the Celtics will sign Porzingis to a two-year extension as soon as he becomes eligible for that deal in early July.”

Porzingis is coming off the best season of his career, where he provided the Washington Wizards with a statline of 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 49.8% from the field and 38.5% from deep. Boston will now be hoping Porzingis can provide a similar impact for them next season as they bid to win their first championship since 2008.

Celtics to Add Another Assistant Coach: Report

Due to the addition of Porzingis, a report noting how the Celtics were finalizing a deal for Duke assistant Amile Jefferson seemed to fly under the radar. According to a June 21 Travis Branham of 247 Sports, the Celtics are finalizing a deal to add Duke assistant Amile Jefferson to their coaching staff.

“Duke’s Amile Jefferson is finalizing a multiyear deal to become an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics, a source tells 247Sports,” Branham reported. “Jefferson, who won a national championship with Duke as a player in 2015, joined the Blue Devils staff in July 2021. After a season as the team’s director of player development under Mike Krzyzewski, Jon Scheyer promoted Jefferson to assistant coach.”

Jefferson is a close friend of Jayson Tatum and had a short stint with the Celtics in 2010 when he signed an exhibit-10 contract before ultimately being waived. Jefferson then went on to spend two seasons with the Orlando Magic, playing in 30 regular-season games before falling out of the league and taking up an assistant role for the Blue Devils.

It would appear that Brad Stevens is doing everything he can to retool the Celtics roster and give them a chance of returning to the NBA Finals next season.

Wednesday evening, the Boston Celtics took part in a major multi-team deal that saw them land former All-Star forward Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards. While this acquisition certainly helps bolster their lacking big man depth, there appear to be some mixed emotions regarding the blockbuster exchange.

Most notably, the decision to send beloved Celtics guard Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies in the transaction has left many in shambles, including the veteran himself as Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe revealed that Smart “was completely shocked” by the news and “is still trying to process it.”

“Marcus loves Boston. He thought he was going to retire there. He wanted to retire there,” Himmelsbach wrote.

Marcus Smart has spent all of his nine NBA seasons suiting up for the Celtics, and, since becoming the club’s full-time primary point guard back in 2021-22, has posted per-game averages of 11.8 points, 6.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals.

Throughout his tenure in Boston he was selected to three All-Defensive teams and, in 2022, became the first guard since Gary Payton in 1996 to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

‘Strong Belief’ Celtics Aren’t Done Making Moves

Though the Kristaps Porzingis blockbuster certainly sent NBA Twitter into a frenzy, Heavy Sports NBA insider Steve Bulpett shared on Thursday afternoon that this transaction could be just the beginning of a potentially active offseason for the Celtics.

“As much as we feel a need to make assessments in the wake of the Marcus Smart/Kristaps Porzingis/and-don’t-forget-the-draft-picks trade, there is the strong belief around the NBA that Brad Stevens isn’t done reshaping the roster,” Bulpett said.

Perhaps the next move the Celtics could find themselves making is one that involves Grant Williams being sent packing. With the addition of Porzingis, some such as Adam Himmelsbach suggest that the 24-year-old impending free agent may now be quite expendable.

“According to multiple league sources, the completion of the Porzingis deal would likely mean that Grant Williams’s time in Boston has come to an end,” Himmelsbach wrote via his personal Twitter.

Prior to the KP deal, Tim Cato of The Athletic revealed that the Celtics had been contacted by the Dallas Mavericks in regard to a possible sign-and-trade scenario involving Williams, though noted that “the team might decide against an offer — something more than the mid-level exception — that would be large enough that Boston wouldn’t match.”

Celtics Likely to Sign Kristaps Porzingis to Extension

During the hours prior to the trade’s official agreement, NBA Insider Marc Stein revealed via his personal Twitter that such a trade likely will lead to the Celtics coming to an agreement on a contract extension with Kritaps Porzingis.

Following the finalization of the trade, Stein would further the notion that an extension between the two sides is still likely.

“In addition to the obvious chance to compete for a championship with the Celtics, there is a strong expectation already…that the Celtics will sign Porzingis to a two-year extension as soon as he becomes eligible for that deal in early July,” Stein wrote on his Substack.

Coming off his best campaign since being selected to the 2018 All-Star Game, through 65 contests played in 2022-23 Kristaps Porzingis posted impressive per-game averages of 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 49.8% from the field and 38.5% from deep.

He now heads into 2023-24 attached to the final year of his current five-year, $158 million deal.

Nine thoughts as we await corollary moves by the Celtics…

— As much as we feel a need to make assessments in the wake of the Marcus Smart/Kristaps Porzingis/and-don’t-forget-the-draft-picks trade, there is the strong belief around the NBA that Brad Stevens isn’t done reshaping the roster. Further deals could render some of these points moot.

So please read fast.

— Getting to the bottom line early, in terms of cold, hard, on-paper facts, the Celtics came out ahead on this trade. But the truth is the deal can’t be properly judged for Boston until it’s seen how many games Porzingis can play and what effect Smart’s loss has on the Celts’ identity. The latter component wasn’t enough to keep the club from self-inflicted eliminations, but we’ll see how the C’s run without his fuel.

— I’ve written a number of times over recent years how much Smart is coveted around the league for his intangibles as well as the more quantifiable aspects of his game. Just watch what the Grizzles say about him when this gets done.

And while many decried Smart’s occasional “shoot (3s) first and ask questions later” moments (coach Stevens, who favored a more controlled chaos, was sometimes in his group) he was a far better point guard than credited. Picture the Celtic offense at its flustered worst and it’s rare you’ll find Smart out front directing traffic. I was stunned at how much he was off the ball in Game 7 versus Miami, but it’s hard to pinpoint a cause of that mess when the Celts devolved so embarrassingly after Jayson Tatum’s injury.

Assists can admittedly be a tricky stat because it requires someone else making a shot, but the Celtics 11-1 in the regular season when Smart had nine or more dishes. (The numbers don’t line up as well in the playoffs when the club started showing team-wide cracks against Atlanta, Philadelphia and, ultimately, Miami.)

Malcolm Brogdon’s Health Still an Issue

— Malcolm Brogdon’s health was an issue when the Celtics acquired him, and they managed to get him through the season pretty well after his previous  problems with his Achilles, hamstring, etc. But it’s an even bigger issue now, with Smart gone and the uncertainty around the torn tendon in Brogdon’s right elbow.

It’s amazing how fans on talk shows and social media were so gleeful when he was on his way to the Clippers as part of the deal — almost as if the last scenes of him injured and ineffective against Miami erased their memory of all that had come prior.

But it is fact that Brogdon was the guy who allowed the Celts’ bench depth to work, scoring and finding others. And his experience and poise was also key in some late-game situations. Those who thought Boston would have won the 2022 title if he’d gotten there a year earlier got support for their opinion.

If he remains and the elbow problem persists in some limiting fashion, the Celtics’ too many guards could quickly become too few.

— Maybe losing Smart will force others to get bolder on defense and in loose ball situations. No longer will they be able to rely on Marcus to rip the ball out of James Harden’s hands or otherwise make the kind of Lawrence Taylor-esque play that alters a game’s momentum.

The Celtics certainly have guys who’ve done these things and are capable, but this feels a little like the 1960s divorced dad pausing as he walks out to say, “You’re the man of the house now.”

Timing Was Potentially Golden for Jaylen Brown

— The timing of this trade was worth millions to Jaylen Brown. Being a small forward was a key factor to him making the All-NBA team and becoming eligible for the supermax contract extension. All agree that it would have been far more difficult for him to attain one of the six backcourt positions on the three squads, and the Celtics campaigned hard to remind voters that, with Robert Williams missing the first 29 games and Joe Mazzulla generally staying away from the double-big lineup, Brown was, indeed, primarily a 3-man.

If all the bigs are available, it’s hard to imagine any two of the Al Horford-Rob-Porzingis troika on the bench at the same time, except in certain small-ball matchup situations. That makes Brown a guard again, which should actually give him and the Celtics advantages on both ends of the floor as it has before.

— NBA sources we’ve spoken to have been harping on the need for Tatum and Brown to improve at creating opportunities for each other. And while it’s true that their positions make Nikola Jokic-Jamal Murray comparisons unfair, the Celt pair SHOULD be better at taking advantage of the defensive attention each receives and burning the opponent with killer feeds. Horford could do some of those Jokic-Murray actions, but Porzingis, with his ability to pick, pop and shoot over just about anyone (and upgraded moves to the hoop), will create more possibilities along these lines.

— How many remember when Smart gave up about a foot and guarded Porzingis in New York? And did so successfully. Porzingis’ game is much more versatile now, but that was some of the earliest evidence of Smart’s toughness.

— The Grizzlies began a seven-year playoff run a dozen years ago when they acquired Celtic free agent Tony Allen, who became a folk hero in Memphis with his “grit and grind” mantra. (The Grizz’ arena became known as the Grindhouse.)

One team source tells Heavy Sports there are higher expectations for the Celtic sequel.

Before the Boston Celtics officially acquired Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards, NBA Insider Marc Stein revealed via his personal Twitter on June 21 that it was likely that Porzingis and the Celtics would agree to an extension once the trade was finalized.

“The three-team deal to send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston is likewise expected to lead to a July contract extension for Porzingis beyond next season’s $36 million player option, league sources say,” Stein wrote.

After the deal was finalized, Stein reiterated that an extension between the two sides was likely.

“In addition to the obvious chance to compete for a championship with the Celtics, there is a strong expectation already…that the Celtics will sign Porzingis to a two-year extension as soon as he becomes eligible for that deal in early July,” Stein wrote on his Substack.

Stein then gave the full details of the extension the Celtics may offer Porzingis.

“After opting into the final year of his current contract at $36 million before a midnight deadline Wednesday to do so, which was a needed step to facilitate this trade to the Celtics, Porziņģis qualifies for a two-year extension worth up to $77 million from his new team.”

Celtics May Not Be Able to Trade Malcolm Brogdon

The initial deal the Celtics had lined up for Porzingis was them trading Malcolm Brogdon to the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-way deal, as reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, but the Clippers backed out. Stein later reported that they didn’t go through with it because of Brogdon’s injury concerns.

“Concerns raised by the Clippers about Malcolm Brogdon’s injury status, league sources say, led to the collapse of the three-team trade expected to send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston before midnight tonight,” Stein wrote via his personal Twitter.

After the deal was made, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst explained on Get Up that Brogdon’s injuries are very much a cause for concern, period.

“Malcolm Brogdon, who was the key piece going from Boston to the Los Angeles Clippers in this [canceled] deal, Brogdon has a health issue, a health issue that, as I understand, is so significant, that not only can the Celtics not do this trade, there’s probably no Malcolm Brogdon trade that they can do in the short term.”

Brogdon will be paid $45 million over the next two seasons. With Smart gone, the Celtics may be forced to depend on Brogdon to pick up the slack, especially if it appears that he’s not going anywhere.

Payton Pritchard’s Role Expected to Get Bigger

Following the initial report that the Celtics were planning to trade Brogdon, Brian Robb of MassLive revealed what his departure could mean for Payton Pritchard’s future with the Celtics.

“Boston would likely retain Payton Pritchard in such a scenario as he would slot into a reserve guard position if Brogdon were dealt unless the Wizards insisted on his inclusion in a deal,” Robb wrote.

With Smart gone, the Celtics have four guards on the roster between Brogdon, Pritchard, Derrick White, and JD Davison. Pritchard has stepped up in the past when the Celtics traded away their guards. With Brogdon’s health concerns, they may very well depend on him now more than ever.

The Boston Celtics have made a few sizable shakeups to their roster. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on June 21 that the Celtics have acquired Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards in a three-way deal that will send Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Before the deal was agreed upon, Brian Robb of MassLive revealed what effect that would have on Payton Pritchard should Malcolm Brogdon – who was previously rumored to be in the deal – have been traded instead of Smart.

“Boston would likely retain Payton Pritchard in such a scenario as he would slot into a reserve guard position if Brogdon were dealt unless the Wizards insisted on his inclusion in a deal,” Robb wrote.

Wojnarowski later revealed that the original three-way trade between the Celtics, Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers fell apart. Marc Stein revealed that the Clippers pulled out because of injury concerns with Brogdon.

“Concerns raised by the Clippers about Malcolm Brogdon’s injury status, league sources say, led to the collapse of the three-team trade expected to send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston before midnight tonight,” Stein wrote on his personal Twitter.

Multiple Reports Indicate Grant Williams Will Leave Celtics

There might be more ripple effects regarding the Kristaps Porzingis trade than what happened with Smart and what may happen with Pritchard. Before the Porzingis trade had been announced, multiple insiders reported that his addition means Grant Williams is likely to be out the door, which was reported by Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe.

“According to multiple league sources, the completion of the Porzingis deal would likely mean that Grant Williams’s time in Boston has come to an end,” Himmelsbach wrote via his personal Twitter.

Robb added that the Celtics may look into possible sign-and-trades involving Williams this offseason.

“A Grant Williams sign-and-trade is still a possibility in the wake of a potential Porzingis deal, per a league source. Look for the team to keep their options open with him as a restricted free agent with a qualifying offer next week,” Robb wrote via his personal Twitter.

Williams would probably prefer to play for a team that will give him consistent minutes, which may not be a guarantee anymore if he’s playing with Porzingis, Al Horford, and Robert Williams III.

Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype previewed what the Celtics may do if Williams, in fact, leaves.

“If Grant Williams doesn’t return, they still have enough flexibility to use the $5M tax MLE. Re-signing him would take them over the second apron, eliminating the MLE,” Gozlan wrote via his personal Twitter.

Insider Says Celtics Likely Give Kristaps Porzingis Extension

Before the Celtics officially traded for Porzingis, Stein reported that it was likely that the two sides would agree on an extension.

“The three-team deal to send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston is likewise expected to lead to a July contract extension for Porzingis beyond next season’s $36 million player option,” Stein wrote via his personal Twitter.

Stein added more details on his Substack after the Celtics completed the trade.

“After opting into the final year of his current contract at $36 million before a midnight deadline Wednesday to do so, which was a needed step to facilitate this trade to the Celtics, Porziņģis qualifies for a two-year extension worth up to $77 million from his new team.”

Wednesday evening, the Boston Celtics made the splashy decision to strike on a trade for long-rumored target, Kristaps Porzingis. However, though all parties have agreed in principle on a deal, ultimately, the transaction hangs in the balance due to one specific factor.

ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that “there’s still more work and more conversation to be had” regarding the three-team blockbuster between the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers, and Celtics, noting that Porzingis’ impending decision on his player option for the 2023-23 campaign could either make or break the blockbuster altogether.

“They have until midnight for Kristaps Porzingis to meet his deadline on his $36 million option for next season. Either he opts in and then he goes to Boston potentially as part of that trade or he could opt out and become a free agent,” Wojnarowski reported.

Should Porzingis opt into the final season of his current five-year, $158 million deal, per Wojnarowski, he would be heading to the Celtics as part of a multi-team exchange that would send reigning sixth-man of the year Malcolm Brogdon to the Clippers and a package headlined by Marcus Morris and the 30 overall selection in this year’s NBA Draft to the Wizards.

However, nothing can be made official until the former All-Star makes a decision on his player option for 2023-24, thus keeping this blockbuster in a state of purgatory for the time being.

UPDATE: Kristaps Porzingis, Celtics Trade Falls Through

At 10:22 PM (EST), ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the original three-team trade between the Celtics, Wizards, and Clippers centered around Kristaps Porzingis had officially fallen apart.

“The three-team talks on a Porzingis-Brogdon deal with Celtics, Wizards and Clippers have fallen apart, sources tell ESPN. Sides are moving on,” Wojnarowski reported.

In response to the report by Wojnarowski, Mass Live Celtics reporter Brian Robb broached the question of whether the breakdown of the blockbuster had to do with a potential desire from Porzingis to sign an extension this summer.

“Have to wonder if this had to do with Porzingis reportedly aiming for an extension,” Robb tweeted.

Had Kristaps Porzingis ultimately landed with the Celtics in this exchange, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Celtics shelling out an extension to the 27-year-old was the “expectation.”

Wizards Still Looking to Send Kristaps Porzingis to Celtics

The report of the initial trade falling through does not necessarily mean that Kristaps Porzingis still can’t find himself landing with the Celtics. At least, that’s what Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting, as he noted via Twitter that the Wizards are still looking into ways to send the big man to Boston.

“The Wizards are still working on ways to get Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics in an opt-in and trade scenario, but it won’t be in a three-way with the Clippers, sources tell ESPN. Porzingis still has the ability to decline his $36 million player option and become a free agent,” Wojnarowski tweeted.

Kristaps Porzingis is coming off of easily his best season since being selected to his lone All-Star Game back in 2017-18, as he posted stellar per-game averages of 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 49.8% from the field and 38.5% from deep through 65 games played in 2022-23.

The Boston Celtics are on the verge of a pretty sizable shakeup. Following the report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania that the Celtics are “closing in” on acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards, Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe reported what that probably means for Grant Williams.

“According to multiple league sources, the completion of the Porzingis deal would likely mean that Grant Williams’s time in Boston has come to an end,” Himmelsbach wrote via his personal Twitter.

Brian Robb of MassLive added to this, saying that the Celtics will look into possible sign-and-trade options involving Williams.

“A Grant Williams sign-and-trade is still a possibility in the wake of a potential Porzingis deal, per a league source. Look for the team to keep their options open with him as a restricted free agent with a qualifying offer next week,” Robb wrote via his personal Twitter.

With all indications being that Porzingis is headed to Boston, Williams sticking around does not make much sense since he would likely be fourth on the depth chart behind Porzingis, Al Horford, and Robert Williams III.

What the Trade Means for Payton Pritchard

Following Charania’s initial report that the Celtics were discussing a trade for Porzingis, Robb explained how trading Brogdon for Porzingis could affect Payton Pritchard’s future with the Celtics.

“Boston would likely retain Payton Pritchard in such a scenario as he would slot into a reserve guard position if Brogdon were dealt unless the Wizards insisted on his inclusion in a deal,” Robb wrote.

Pritchard’s role was heavily reduced after the Celtics acquired Brogdon last season. Pritchard appeared in a career-low 48 games for the Celtics this season, and most of the games he appeared in were either when games were already decided or if one of Brogdon, Marcus Smart, or Derrick White was not playing.

On June 1, The Athletic’s Jay King reported that Pritchard was hoping to get traded after spending most of the season on the bench.

“With the new onerous CBA rules looming after next season, the front office will likely have to decide in the next 12 months whether it can afford its expensive veteran depth. Payton Pritchard has made it clear he hopes to be traded this summer, according to multiple team sources, so will the Celtics move him if they trade one of their core guards?”

Danilo Gallinari Expected to Be Included in Trade

With all the reports surrounding the Celtics trading for Porzingis, multiple insiders reported that should a deal be agreed to, Danilo Gallinari is expected to be included.

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports first reported Gallinari’s inclusion via his personal Twitter.

“Hearing that Danilo Gallinari is being included in the developing three-team trade talks between Boston, Los Angeles, and Washington, with Gallinari on track to head to the Wizards,” Fischer wrote.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski wrote the same thing while adding other details about the discussed trade.

“Porzingis would opt-in to his $36M for 2023-2024 to make potential trade happen, but there are still outstanding issues to be completed before a deal can be reached. Boston’s Danilo Gallinari would be in (the) deal to Wizards too,” Wojnarowski wrote.

Robb then confirmed it himself while adding that it all depends on if and when the deal goes through, which it has yet to do.

“According to a league source, Boston is expected to include Danilo Gallinari as part of a potential three-team trade with the Wizards and Clippers that could land Kristaps Porzingis in Boston.”

Should the deal go through, Gallinari will have never played one game for the Celtics, which is sad since he grew up rooting for them.

NEW YORK — One thing that has become clear in the run-up to Thursday’s NBA draft when it comes to the Celtics: They are not sitting still. In addition to reports that the team has talked with the Wizards about a potential deal for center Kristaps Porzingis, Boston is also looking at trading into the first round to add a potential rookie contributor.

The goal there is to gird the roster for the potential loss of Grant Williams in restricted free agency.

A potential target for the C’s: 20-year-old Marquette forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who said on Wednesday that he did work out for Boston. It should be noted, of course, that OMP, as he is known, worked out for half the league in the run-up to Thursday.

“Great organization, great history. I had a really good time there,” Prosper said of his workout with the Celtics.

Celtics Would Need to Trade Into Top 20 for Prosper

Prosper is slated to be drafted somewhere in the 18-28 range and the Celtics, without a first-round pick, would have to target one of those spots to have a chance at him. The Heat and Warriors, at No. 18 and 19, are not likely to dump a pick to Boston, so the Celtics’ best bet would be to make a deal with Houston for the No. 20 pick.

The Celtics are working a number of tracks for a deal, but moving guard Payton Pritchard for a pick like Houston’s is among them.

Boston, according to league sources, also likes UCLA forward Jaime Jaquez. Both Prosper and Jaquez are veteran collegians, and Jaquez has actually graduated. He is 22 years old and averaged 17.2 points and 8.2 rebounds for the Bruins as a senior. He shot just 31.7% from the 3-point line, and said that was one thing he focused on in predraft workouts.

Prosper averaged 12.5 points and 4.7 rebounds, shooting 33.9% on 3-pointers and 51.2% overall as a junior.

Prosper Can Have Immediate Defensive Impact

Prosper, a native of Montreal who is 6-foot-8 and capable of guarding at least three positions, is among the best and most versatile wing defenders among a group of strong defensive draftees.

That is his ticket into the first-round, he acknowledged, a ticket that was not certain until his workouts over the past few weeks. It also could be his ticket to playing time as a rookie.

“The biggest thing is just being myself,” he said, “and what I mean by that is going out there with a mindset of controlling what I can control being the hardest worker out there, doing what I do best, showing my defensive versatility, showing my improved shooting, showing my ability to play in transition. Showing the way I have conducted myself, the way I have been in interviews and all that stuff—just being myself. And believing that I am better than a lot of guys who, at the time, were ahead of me. That’s how I have been able to build myself up.”

It is likely that, no matter where Prosper goes in the draft, he will wind up with a contender, as the Lakers, Heat and Warriors at picks 17-19 figure to have interest, too. It is hard to imagine him getting past the Grizzlies at No. 25.

Wherever it is, he will be ready.

“I worked out with a lot of teams,” he said. “I have been around so many great organizations. Whatever team wants to pick me, that is where I want to go. That is my mindset.”

The Boston Celtics are looking into getting some help in their frontcourt. On June 21, NBA Insider Shams Charania reported that the Celtics and the Washington Wizards are discussing a trade for star center Kristaps Porzingis.

“The Celtics are pursuing Kristaps Porzingis from the Wizards in a potential opt-in-and-trade deal, sources tell me. I’m told Boston and Washington have been in discussions on potential framework as Porzingis navigates the decision on his $36 million player option for next season,” Charania said.

Charania added that the Wizards would like to keep Porzingis and that others have inquired about him.

“The Wizards have shown a level of interest in bringing back Porzingis on a new deal, but there have also been contenders reaching out with interest in the seven-foot-three big man.”

Porzingis is coming off a season in which he averaged 23.2 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 49.8% from the field and 38.5% from three. With the 65 games he played during the 2022-23 season, Porzingis also had his healthiest season as a pro since his second season with the New York Knicks.

Suns’ Interest in Malcolm Brogdon Could Factor in

Before the Phoenix Suns traded for Bradley Beal, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported on June 16 that Malcolm Brogdon was one of their trade targets.

“Two names to keep an eye on in Phoenix’s trade pursuits: Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins and Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon,” Fischer wrote. “The Suns acquiring either of those veterans might require a third team to accept Paul’s outgoing salary — such as the Houston Rockets with their $60 million of cap space and counting — but Brogdon and Collins are a pair of players Phoenix has registered interest in during trade conversations with Boston and Atlanta, respectively, that date back to the trade deadline, sources said.”

The Suns then traded for Beal, which may have eliminated their interest in Brogdon. However, when they made their trade with the Wizards, Washington originally asked for Ayton, according to John Gombadoro.

“Washington did ask for Deandre Ayton in the Beal trade, and the Suns were unwilling to include him in the deal,” Gombadoro wrote on his personal Twitter on June 19.

If the Suns are still interested in Brogdon, and the Wizards are still interested in Ayton, a three-way deal could potentially emerge between the two sides that would put Brogdon on the Suns, Ayton on the Wizards, and Porzingis on the Celtics.

What Celtics Would Trade for Kristaps Porzingis

After Charania’s report came out, Brian Robb of MassLive reported what would go into a Porzingis trade should the two sides agree to a deal.

“A league source tells MassLive that any trade involving Porzingis would be centered around the inclusion of Malcolm Brogdon as a salary matching piece along with other assets (draft/player),” Robb wrote.

Robb added what Brogdon being traded could also mean for Payton Pritchard.

“Boston would likely retain Payton Pritchard in such a scenario as he would slot into a reserve guard position if Brogdon were dealt unless the Wizards insisted on his inclusion in a deal.”

There could be a lot of player movement that happens during the 2023 NBA Draft. Teams may look to move either their player or their draft pick. Despite not having a first-round pick of their own, it appears the Boston Celtics may get in on the pandemonium on draft night.

In his June 20 mock draft, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported that the Celtics are among the teams currently discussing a trade with one of their recent playoff opponents, the Atlanta Hawks.

“League sources have connected the Hawks to a whole bunch of teams in trade talks—the Celtics, Mavericks, and Raptors,” O’Connor wrote.

O’Connor then added who could potentially be on the move on Atlanta’s side, some of which could interest the Celtics.

“The Hawks front office is willing to trade anyone but Trae, so that means Dejounte Murray could be a valuable piece in negotiations. And perhaps we’ll finally see a John Collins move.”

Collins and Murray are good players who could help the Celtics get over the hump, but that would all depend on who the Celtics would be willing to send back in exchange for them. Coincidentally, the Hawks used Danilo Gallinari to acquire Murray from the San Antonio Spurs last summer

Celtics Not Interested in Deandre Ayton

The Celtics may be looking for players who can improve their frontcourt, but that doesn’t mean they’re looking at every available big man on the table. Brian Robb of MassLive reported that the Celtics are not interested in Deandre Ayton but added that they could get involved in an Ayton trade.

“The Celtics have no interest in an Ayton deal, per a league source, due to his pricy contract, so any scenario that involves Brogdon going to Phoenix now is dead without a third team getting involved. Phoenix could involve moving Ayton elsewhere but don’t look for Boston to get involved unless Ayton’s going to a different team.”

Ayton is slated to be paid $32.5 million next season and will only be paid more for the next two seasons. Adding him with what he’s being paid to a frontcourt of Al Horford and Robert Williams III is a lot of money shelled out to the center position.

Proposed Trade Sends Marcus Smart to Mavericks

On the June 19 episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” Simmons proposed a trade in which the following would happen.

Celtics receive: Tim Hardaway Jr., No. 10 pick in 2023 Draft

Mavericks receive: Marcus Smart.

Simmons explained why the Celtics would agree to such a trade.

“It solves the guard problem for the Celtics, right?” Simmons said. “Because now you’re moving out one of the guards, and you’re replacing him with a swing. I felt like one of the things the Celtics struggled with last year was not having that guy to put in for Jaylen Brown or (Jayson) Tatum if one of those guys got in foul trouble or wasn’t playing a game or whatever.”

Though the Celtics could use someone like Tim Hardaway Jr., a hybrid guard-forward who can score, acquiring him and a lottery pick at the cost of Smart seems like a pretty massive gamble.

The Boston Celtics may look to improve their frontcourt this summer. Al Horford’s not getting any younger, and until proven otherwise, Robert Williams III is an injury risk every time he takes the floor. Brian Robb of MassLive floated a center that they could potentially look into – Wendell Carter Jr.

Robb outlined why acquiring someone like Carter would appeal to the Celtics, pointing to his cheap contract.

“It’s hard to find a cost-controlled player who is attainable for Boston’s movable assets at this point. Adding a big on a smaller salary like Wendell Carter Jr. in Orlando would be an appealing long-term play since he is under contract for three more years for just $35 million in total,” Robb wrote.

He then questioned if Carter’s current team, the Orlando Magic, would have interest in what the Celtics could offer for him.

“Whether the Magic have any real interest in moving the 24-year-old is a fair question to wonder, and Boston betting big on him with all of their future tradable first-round picks and Brogdon in a deal would be an all-in move since it would heavily deplete their asset pool going forward.”

Celtics Not Interested in Deandre Ayton

Even though the Celtics are on the lookout for more frontcourt help, Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton appears to not be an option. Robb previously reported that the Celtics aren’t interested in the 24-year-old center because of how expensive his contract is.

“The Celtics have no interest in an Ayton deal, per a league source, due to his pricy contract, so any scenario that involves Brogdon going to Phoenix now is dead without a third team getting involved. Phoenix could involve moving Ayton elsewhere but don’t look for Boston to get involved unless Ayton’s going to a different team.”

Even if they’re not looking at Ayon specifically, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports wrote that “the Celtics are evaluating trade avenues to upgrade a thinner frontcourt, league sources told Yahoo Sports” on June 16. Matt Moore of Action Network echoed that sentiment on June 18 while floating Ayton as an option.

“Perhaps equally notable is that Boston is said to be in the market for frontcourt additions, which Deandre Ayton would certainly qualify as, (That, however, is speculative on my part.)” Moore wrote.

Celtics Targeted Jakob Poeltl at the Trade Deadline

Jake Fischer reported on June 16 that the Celtics had looked into acquiring Jakob Poeltl before he was traded to his former team, the Toronto Raptors.

“The Celtics also looked for center additions before the trade deadline, sources said, considering the inconsistent availability of big man Robert Williams, with Jakob Poeltl standing out as one of their primary targets at the time,” Fischer wrote.

Poeltl will enter the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, so the Celtics could re-engage on that front. However, he may not be interested in splitting minutes with Horford and Williams after being a starter on the Raptors and San Antonio Spurs. On top of that, he’ll probably want the most money possible, which the Celtics likely won’t be able to offer.

Unfortunately for Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, a chance to team up with his best friend, Bradley Beal, was dashed when Beal was traded to the Phoenix Suns on June 18, according to multiple reports.

A trade to Boston could’ve been unlikely anyway because Beal was willing to waive the no-trade clause in contract for only three teams: the Suns, the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks. To ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, that’s a problem because, he said, just a handful of NBA stars should be given no-trade clauses in their contracts.

“I’ve only got five people for you, five,” Smith said on the June 19 episode of “The Stephen A. Smith” show. “At number five is Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics. Now, this brother doesn’t have a championship. But he’s been to about four or five conference finals. He’s been to an NBA Finals. He’s just finished being the first Celtics to average 30 in a season. He’s 6-foot-9, can ball from inside or outside, in the open court, etc. And he’s 25. He’s only 25 years old. If that brother walked into my office, and I’m the owner of the Boston Celtics, and he wants a no-trade clause, he’s getting a no-trade clause.”

Smith placed Tatum on exclusive list with Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and, at No. 1, Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors. Tatum has been named to an All-NBA First Team for the past two seasons and has flashed enough upside to believe he could potentially contend for an MVP award in the coming years.

No-trade clauses are rare in the NBA, with only 10 players in league history — including Beal — having one in their contracts. The other nine include seven Hall of Famers and two future Hall of Famers.

On June 18, The Athletic’s Tony Jones tweeted: “I’m willing to bet good money that we’ve seen the last no trade clause in NBA history.”

Celtics to Keep Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown

According to a June 19 report by the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, the Celtics have no intention of splitting up the star duo of Tatum and Jaylen Brown and are expected to extend Brown on a supermax contract offer over the summer.

“Jaylen Brown remains an essential part of that picture,” Himmeslbach reported. “The source said the Celtics do not intend to trade the All-Star forward and that all signs continue to point toward Brown signing a five-year, $295 million super-max extension this summer.”

The wing tandem of Brown and Tatum has long been a topic of conversation for Celtics fans and media, with some believing that the duo’s skillsets are too similar for them to succeed on the same team. However, following yet another Eastern Conference finals run, it would appear the Celtics are willing to double down on their star duo and trust that they can bring a sustained period of success to Boston.

Celtics Hire Phil Pressey as Assistant Coach

This past season, Joe Mazzulla had a reduced coaching staff. Will Hardy left to become the head coach of the Utah Jazz, Ime Udoka was suspended and ultimately fired, and Damon Stoudamire left before the season ended to take up a role as the head coach of Georgia Tech.

However, since the Celtics were eliminated from the postseason, Brad Stevens has moved quickly to improve Boston’s coaching situation, hiring Sam Cassell and Charles Lee in recent weeks. On June 19, it was reported that Stevens was adding another assistant coach to Mazzulla’s staff, with former Celtics point guard Phil Pressey joining the team.

“Former Celtics guard Phil Pressey is joining coach Joe Mazzulla’s staff, according to a league source,” Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe reported. “Last season Pressey worked as an assistant at Missouri, his alma mater. Pressey’s father, Paul, played in the NBA for 11 seasons before serving as an assistant coach for 25, including a stint with the Celtics from 2004-06.”

With yet another assistant coach that boasts NBA playing experience, Boston’s coaching staff is now deep enough and experienced enough to rival any team in the league. Now, the hope will be that the additional voices in Joe Mazzulla’s ear can help lead the team to the 2024 NBA Finals and, hopefully, to a championship.

Marcus Smart has split opinions among the fanbase throughout his tenure with the Boston Celtics.

Some believe the defensive guard is a core part of the team’s success in recent years, while others believe Smart’s presence is what’s been holding the team from reaching its full potential. Unfortunately, regardless of what side of the Marcus Smart argument you reside on, he may be a potential trade candidate this summer as Brad Stevens looks to reduce the logjam at the guard position.

According to Bill Simmons, who was speaking on a June 19 episode of The Bill Simmons podcast, sending Marcus Smart to the Dallas Mavericks could make sense for both teams.

“The teams are the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks: Tim Hardaway and the No. 10 pick for Marcus Smart. And that’s the trade,” Simmons said. ““It solves the guard problem for the Celtics, right?” Simmons said. “Because now you’re moving out one of the guards, and you’re replacing him with a swing. I felt like one of the things the Celtics struggled with last year was not having that guy to put in for Jaylen Brown or (Jayson) Tatum if one of those guys got in foul trouble or wasn’t playing a game or whatever.”

Smart is the Celtics’ longest-tenured player, having been drafted by Danny Ainge in 2014. Since joining Boston, Smart has helped guide the Celtics to the playoffs in every season and has been a key contributor in multiple deep postseason runs.

Celtics Hire Phil Pressey as Assistant Coach

Phil Pressey was one of Marcus Smart’s fire teammates in Boston but has since found himself taking the step into coaching, spending last season as an assistant with Missouri.

However, Pressey’s collegiate coaching career appears to have been short-lived, as on June 19, the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach reported that the former Celtics guard will be joining Joe Mazzulla‘s coaching staff.

“Former Celtics guard Phil Pressey is joining coach Joe Mazzulla’s staff, according to a league source,” Himmelsbach reported. “Last season Pressey worked as an assistant at Missouri, his alma mater. Pressey’s father, Paul, played in the NBA for 11 seasons before serving as an assistant coach for 25, including a stint with the Celtics from 2004-06.” 

By adding Pressey to the team’s coaching staff, Stevens and Mazzulla have added another voice with NBA playing experience, which will likely be a welcomed addition by the team’s player personnel.

Celtics Unlikely to Trade Jaylen Brown

Another player who appears to be splitting the opinions of the fanbase is Jaylen Brown, as the All-Star forward is eligible for a supermax contract worth approximately $295 million over five years.

However, according to Himmelsbach, the Celtics have no intention of trading away one of their best players this summer, regardless of the of impending new Collective Bargaining Agreement and the penalties that come with being a second apron tax team.

“Jaylen Brown remains an essential part of that picture,” Himmelsbach wrote. “The source said the Celtics do not intend to trade the All-Star forward and that all signs continue to point toward Brown signing a five-year, $295 million super-max extension this summer.”

With Brown reportedly being off the table, the Celtics will likely look to make moves centered around one of their guards as they look to upgrade their roster ahead of next season.

Rumors suggest the Boston Celtics may be open to making some splashy transactions this summer, but there’s one role player who appears to have more favorable odds of staying put when compared to some of his fellow teammates.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, opposing ball clubs are under the impression that Derrick White is “the least likely of Boston’s guards to be moved this offseason.”

“The Celtics have quite an obvious roster crunch in their backcourt, with four players in Brogdon, Marcus Smart, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard who could rarely all find consistent minutes this season,” Fischer wrote. “Boston is considered active in pre-draft trade talks by rival front offices — as MassLive has reported — and the Celtics are evaluating trade avenues to upgrade a thinner frontcourt, league sources told Yahoo Sports, and could very well lose a valuable piece in Grant Williams as a restricted free agent this summer.

Since arriving in Boston at the 2022 trade deadline, Derrick White has proven to be a tremendous contributor within the club’s rotation. Throughout his tenure with the Celtics, the veteran guard finds himself sporting per-game averages of 12.1 points, 3.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and just shy of a block while shooting 44.9% from the field and 36.5% from deep.

He would go on to up his productivity during the club’s latest postseason, as he posted 13.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 50.5% from the field and 45.5% from deep through 20 games played.

Malcolm Brogdon, Payton Pritchard Potential Trade Assets

Derrick White may be viewed as the least likely of the club’s four main guard talents to be dealt away this summer, but Jake Fischer noted that Malcolm Brogdon and Payton Pritchard are the two that are considered to be the most likely to be offloaded.

“Of the four Celtics guards, Brogdon’s name has been mentioned the most among league executives this past week, although Phoenix has so far been the only team cited by several NBA voices as a suitor to have interest in the Sixth Man of the Year. Pritchard seems like another strong trade candidate for Boston. As the third-year guard becomes extension eligible entering the final year of his rookie-scale contract, Pritchard has communicated an openness to be traded this summer, as first reported by The Athletic,” Fischer wrote.

Prior to the Bradley Beal trade, reports were circulating suggesting that the Phoenix Suns had interest in pursuing a deal for reigning Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon while it was announced earlier this offseason that Payton Pritchard is seeking a trade out of Boston in an effort to secure a larger role within a rotation.

Teams who could be interested in pursuing Pritchard this summer include the Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers, according to an anonymous league executive who spoke to Heavy Sports NBA insider Sean Deveney.

Celtics Have Lacking Interest in Deandre Ayton

Though Jake Fischer noted that the Boston Celtics are looking to upgrade their frontcourt rotation this summer, Brian Robb of MassLive recently revealed that despite his availability, they have little interest in pursuing the likes of Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton.

“The Celtics have no interest in an Ayton deal, per a league source, due to his pricy contract, so any scenario that involves Brogdon going to Phoenix now is dead without a third team getting involved. Phoenix could involve moving Ayton elsewhere but don’t look for Boston to get involved unless Ayton’s going to a different team.”

Attached to a four-year, $132 million deal, Deandre Ayton is coming off a 2022-23 campaign where he posted per-game averages of 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and just shy of a block while shooting 58.9% from the field.

Among the biggest plotlines for the Boston Celtics will be what they plan to do with star Jaylen Brown and forward Grant Williams. Brown is eligible for a super-max and Williams will hit restricted free agency this summer.

On June 19, Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe provided the latest updates on what the Celtics plan to do with Brown and Williams, starting with Brown’s future with the team.

“Jaylen Brown remains an essential part of that picture. The source said the Celtics do not intend to trade the All-Star forward and that all signs continue to point toward Brown signing a five-year, $295 million super-max extension this summer,” Himmelsbach reported.

Himmelsbach added the likelihood of Williams sticking around with the team.

“The source said it remains quite likely that forward Grant Williams, a restricted free agent, will be back in Boston next year, but that the Celtics have received inquiries from teams about sign-and-trade possibilities involving him,” Himmelsbach wrote. “The source said the Celtics most likely will simply re-sign Williams on their own, but a sign-and-trade would allow them to recoup some assets if the sides ultimately decide to part ways.”

Brown is on an expiring contract, so even if the Celtics were to trade him, they wouldn’t get much value out of him. As for Williams, being a restricted free agent means that the Celtics basically have all the leverage. Unless someone gives Williams an expensive deal, it sounds likely that he’s staying with the team.

Mavericks Interested in Grant Williams

While Himmelsbach reported that Williams will likely be re-signed, that may not stop teams from still courting him regardless. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported on June 18 that the Dallas Mavericks are among his suitors.

“The latest team to have interest in Williams looking ahead to free agency is the Dallas Mavericks, league sources told HoopsHype. It’s worth noting Williams and Mavericks star Luka Doncic are both represented by WME Sports,” Scotto wrote.

The two sides could potentially agree to a sign-and-trade, as Himmelsbach mentioned, but it would be hard to see what players on the Mavericks’ end the Celtics would want. Dallas has some solid bigs in their rotation, like Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell, but the Celtics would have to ask themselves if they are better for them than Williams is.

Celtics Not Interested in Deandre Ayton

In Himmelsbach’s report, he wrote that “the Celtics have been exploring trades that would reduce some of the congestion in their talented backcourt and bolster their depth at the wing or big positions.”

One possible option they could look into is Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns, but Brian Robb of MassLive reported on June 18 that the Celtics have no interest in the former No. 1 pick because of how expensive his contract is.

“The Celtics have no interest in an Ayton deal, per a league source, due to his pricy contract, so any scenario that involves Brogdon going to Phoenix now is dead without a third team getting involved. Phoenix could involve moving Ayton elsewhere but don’t look for Boston to get involved unless Ayton’s going to a different team.”

With Al Horford being 37 and Robert Williams III injury-prone, the Celtics clearly want someone who can help, but won’t pay above and beyond for another big.

The NBA offseason just had one of its biggest shakeups after the Phoenix Suns acquired Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Chris Paul and Landry Shamet. After the trade went down, Brian Robb of MassLive explained on June 18 how the trade could impact the Boston Celtics.

While Robb said the Celtics won’t want Paul with the money he’s being paid, he wrote how the Celtics could get involved in a deal with the Wizards.

“Boston’s clearly not going to want (Paul) at $30 million in all likelihood, but once again, three-team scenarios could be in play here with Washington if the Celtics are looking to move some salary to add some upgrades to other parts of the roster.”

Robb didn’t add which players the Celtics could potentially target, but with the trade being so fresh and with Paul a member of the Wizards until further notice, options will probably emerge later on as the offseason progresses.

Malcolm Brogdon Considered ‘Most Likely’ to Be Traded

The Celtics could look into thinning out their crowded backcourt this offseason. On June 17, NBA Insider Marc Stein revealed which of their guards is the most likely to find a new team.

“Word is the most likely of the group to be dealt, entering the weekend, was Malcolm Brogdon rather than Marcus Smart, Derrick White or Payton Pritchard,” Stein wrote on his Substack.

On June 17, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports said that Brogdon was drawing the most buzz around the league, with the Suns being the one team confirmed to be interested in him – before they traded for Beal.

“Of the four Celtics guards, Brogdon’s name has been mentioned the most among league executives this past week, although Phoenix has so far been the only team cited by several NBA voices as a suitor to have interest in the Sixth Man of the Year,” Fischer wrote.

Robb added in his article that trading for Beal puts the kibosh on a potential Celtics/Suns trade for Brogdon.

“This blockbuster deal all but eliminates any chance of a Phoenix/Boston swap now involving Brogdon barring an expansion of a Beal deal.”

Fischer added that White was considered the least likely to be traded out of the Celtics guards after his playoff performance.

“For what it’s worth, White has been described by opposing personnel as the least likely of Boston’s guards to be moved this offseason, particularly after a stellar playoff run.”

Mavericks Interested in Grant Williams

There have been a number of suitors already reportedly interested in Grant Williams. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype added another one on June 18: the Dallas Mavericks.

“The latest team to have interest in Williams looking ahead to free agency is the Dallas Mavericks, league sources told HoopsHype. It’s worth noting Williams and Mavericks star Luka Doncic are both represented by WME Sports,” Scotto wrote.

Williams had an inconsistent role with the Celtics throughout the regular season and their playoff run in 2023 and will enter the offseason as a restricted free agent. If the Celtics get involved in a possible three-way trade involving Paul, that could potentially affect whether or not they keep Williams.

The Boston Celtics have been active in adding to their current coaching staff this offseason.

In recent weeks, Sam Cassell and Charles Lee have been announced as new additions to the Celtics. Yet, on Monday, June 19, the Celtics added another coach to their ranks, this time in former point guard Phil Pressey.

“Former Celtics guard Phil Pressey is joining coach Joe Mazzulla’s staff, according to a league source,” Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe reported. “Last season Pressey worked as an assistant at Missouri, his alma mater. Pressey’s father, Paul, played in the NBA for 11 seasons before serving as an assistant coach for 25, including a stint with the Celtics from 2004-06.” 

Pressey spent two seasons with the Celtics between 2013 and 2015, playing in 125 regular-season games, averaging 3.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, shooting 38.3% from the field and 33.3% from deep.

By adding the former guard to the Celtics coaching staff, Brad Stevens has added yet another voice with NBA experience – something which was sorely lacking during the 2023 playoffs run.

Dallas Mavericks Emerge as Grant Williams Suitors

Brad Stevens has been swift in his decision-making when filling out Boston’s bench, but as we get deeper into the off-season, he’s going to have some tougher choices to make. One of those choices will be what to do with Grant Williams, who is a restricted free agent, and where to draw the line in terms of matching offer sheets he receives from other teams.

Unfortunately for Boston, it would appear Williams has a number of teams interested in his services. However, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Dallas Mavericks are the latest franchise to reveal their interest in Williams – and they’re a team who can offer the chance to contend for a championship.

“The latest team to have interest in Williams looking ahead to free agency is the Dallas Mavericks, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote. “It’s worth noting Williams and Mavericks star Luka Doncic are both represented by WME Sports.”

Over the past two years, Williams has emerged as one of the best three-and-d forwards in the NBA and is someone the Celtics would likely find difficult to replace.

Malcolm Brogdon ‘Most Likely’ to be Traded

According to longtime NBA Writer Marc Stein, Malcolm Brogdon‘s time with the Celtics could be drawing to a close, as he is the most likely member of Boston’s guard rotation to be traded.

“Word is the most likely of the group to be dealt, entering the weekend, was Malcolm Brogdon rather than Marcus Smart, Derrick White or Payton Pritchard,” Stein wrote.

Brogdon had a solid season for the Celtics this year, earning himself Sixth Man of the Year honors as a result. In 67 regular-season games, Brogdon produced a statline of 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 48.4% from the field and 44.4% from deep.

However, Brogdon’s injury history may provide a stumbling block for Boston, as it’s likely that teams will be tentative in entering into trade negotiations – especially if they don’t believe Brogdon can sustain the fitness and form he showed this past season. As such, Stevens may need to get creative if he wants to clear the logjam at the guard position.

Former Boston Celtics star Kyrie Irving will hit the open market this summer. Irving will command plenty of money as a free agent with the resume he has and should have plenty of suitors.

NBA Insider Marc Stein floated one of the Celtics’ biggest rivals, the Miami Heat, as a possible destination for Irving in light of them missing out on Bradley Beal on June 18. He added that he didn’t think it was likely.

“The Heat, meanwhile, theoretically could decide to pursue a sign-and-trade for Irving now that they’ve missed out on Beal since The Athletic reported recently that Miami did register trade interest in Irving before the Nets dispatched him to Dallas on Feb. 7. I wouldn’t count on it, though,” Stein wrote on his Substack.

There could be added incentive for Irving to go to the Heat, factoring how badly things ended with him and the Celtics – plus the drama since his departure – along with the Heat proving to be the Celtics undoing in multiple postseasons.

Celtics Not Interested in Deandre Ayton

It’s been reported by multiple insiders that the Celtics are looking into acquiring help in their frontcourt. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports wrote on June 16 that “the Celtics are evaluating trade avenues to upgrade a thinner frontcourt.” Matt Moore of Action Network wrote the same thing on June 18 while mentioning Deandre Ayton as an option.

“Perhaps equally notable is that Boston is said to be in the market for frontcourt additions, which Deandre Ayton would certainly qualify as, (That, however, is speculative on my part.)” Moore wrote.

However, after Beal was traded to the Phoenix Suns, Brian Robb of MassLive reported that the Celtics are not interested in Ayton because of his expensive contract.

“The Celtics have no interest in an Ayton deal, per a league source, due to his pricy contract, so any scenario that involves Brogdon going to Phoenix now is dead without a third team getting involved. Phoenix could involve moving Ayton elsewhere but don’t look for Boston to get involved unless Ayton’s going to a different team.”

Ayton is owed over $100 million over the next three years, which is a lot for someone who is slated to be fourth on the Suns’ offensive pecking order behind Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker.

Mavericks Interested in Grant Williams

HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported that one of Grant Williams’ suitors this offseason will be the Mavericks. Scotto added Williams’ connections to the Mavericks or, more specifically, with Luka Doncic.

“The latest team to have interest in Williams looking ahead to free agency is the Dallas Mavericks, league sources told HoopsHype. It’s worth noting Williams and Mavericks star Luka Doncic are both represented by WME Sports,” Scotto wrote.

Williams will enter the 2023 offseason as a restricted free agent, meaning the Celtics can match any offer sheet he signs. However, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reported in his NBA Mock Draft that the Celtics are looking into possible sign-and-trades with Williams.

“Sources say the Celtics are exploring ways to bolster the roster, whether it’s a sign-and-trade involving Grant Williams during free agency or something consolidating their plethora of guards.”

The NBA draft is looming this week, and with blockbuster trades–goodbye, Bradley Beal!–already afoot, it is slated to be a very busy few days. Not only will the league welcome uberprospect Victor Wembanyama, but a very deep group of incoming rookies is slated to join him.

Complete first-round picks are here: Mock Draft Picks 1-14 | NBA Mock Draft Picks 15-30

That means that not only will this year’s first round be closely watched, but teams will scramble to line up talent in the second round, which will be well-stocked. “Those second-round picks, you can be a little more flexible with the contracts,” one GM told Heavy Sports. “And there are going to be some very good players out there in the second round. If you did your homework and you get a little lucky, you can really score in this second round.

“I mean, we just had a second-rounder win the Finals MVP (Nikola Jokic). There will be players here.”

Picks 31-39: Celtics Get a Frontcourt Contributor

31. Pistons. Leonard Miller, SF, G-League. He’s got a 7-foot-2 wingspan, good ballhandling and plenty of potential, but will need time to develop.

32. Pacers. Maxwell Lewis, SF, Pepperdine. He is a solid fundamental wing capable of growing as a scorer. Lewis is a solid glue guy.

33. Spurs. Dariq Whitehead, SF, Duke. Foot surgeries have sunk his value, but he has first-round potential.

34. Hornets. James Nnaji, C, Nigeria. Could he move into the first round? His physical gifts have teams intrigued.

35. Celtics. Trayce Jackson-Davis, PF, Indiana. Polished, pure power forward who could give the Celtics minutes off the bench in the short term.

36. Magic. Marcus Sasser, SG, Houston. Versatile senior scorer who has first-round potential.

37. Nuggets. Seth Lundy, SF, Penn State. He’s mature (23) and can be an instant role player.

38. Kings. Ben Sheppard, SG, Belmont. Has some potential as a secondary ballhandler but should shine as a shooter.

39. Hornets. Terquavion Smith, SG, N.C. State. Very bouncy athlete, but needs work.

Picks 40-50: Nuggets Land Former Superstar Prospect

40. Nuggets. Emoni Bates SG, Eastern Michigan. Much-hyped prep prospect has flamed out, but Denver is a good place to rebuild.

41. Hornets. Nikola Djurisic, SG, Serbia. He’s a 6-foot-8 shooting guard, and that’s enough to get him a draft spot.

42. Wizards. Hunter Tyson, SG, Clemson. Made 40.5% of his 3s on 6.3 attempts as a senior. He’ll stick in the NBA.

43. Trail Blazers. Keyontae Johnson, SF, Kansas State. Big, versatile wing who can defend and find ways to score in the paint.

44. Spurs. Tristan Vukcevic, C, Serbia. 7-footer who needs to develop more physicality, but could be a stretch 5.

45. Grizzlies. Ricky Council, SG, Arkansas. Might well have been a first-rounder in most years, but not in this wing-heavy draft.

46. Hawks. Toumani Camara, PF, Dayton. He is only 6-foot-8 but he has athleticism and smarts and likely secured his spot in the second round with solid workouts.

47. Lakers. Adama Sanogo, C, UConn. Averaged 17.2 points for the Huskies, shooting 60.6% from the field. Began working on a 3-point shot and is a high-upside prospect.

48. LA Clippers. Jalen Pickett, SG, Penn State. Transfer from Siena played five years in college–he will be 24 when the season starts.

49. Cavaliers. Azuolas Tubelis, PF, Arizona. Notched 19.8 points and 9.1 rebounds last season.

50. Thunder. Adam Flagler, SG, Baylor. He’ll be 24 in December, a fifth-year senior. SHould be an excellent 3-point shooter in the NBA.

Picks 51-60: Nets Land a Steal on the Wing

51. Nets. Jordan Walsh, SF, Arkansas. Potential first-rounder could slip and wind up a second-round steal.

52. Suns. Julian Phillips, SF, Tennessee.  Aggressive offensive wing who already has plenty of defensive polish.

53. Timberwolves. Jordan Miller, SG, Miami. He’s 6-foot-4 and 23 years old, which is why he’s in the second round. But he has a solid, all-around game.

54. Kings. Jalen Wilson, SF/PF, Kansas. Wilson is 23 and experienced, but will need to wkr on his shot.

55. Pacers. Rayan Rupert, SG, New Zealand Breakers. The Pacers have five picks in this drank, and Rupert is a risky player with upside–he’s worth a chance for Indiana.

56. Grizzlies. Jaylen Clark, F, UCLA.  One of the best defenders in college, but might be too limited offensively.

57. Bulls. (Forfeit)

58. Sixers. (Forfeit)

59. Wizards. Julian Strawther, SF, Gonzaga. Smart, efficient offensive player who could thrive in Washington’s rebuild.

60. Bucks. Jazian Gortman, PG, Overtime Elite. Very athletic point guard who will need to make strides as a shooter to get NBA minutes.

Complete first-round picks are here: Mock Draft Picks 1-14 | NBA Mock Draft Picks 15-30

The Phoenix Suns shook things up a bit when they acquired Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards on June 18. They may not be done trading, as they may look to trade Deandre Ayton for depth. If they do that, Brian Robb of MassLive revealed the Boston Celtics‘ interest in the former no. 1 pick

Robb revealed that the Celtics are not interested in Ayton as a player but could be part of a three-way trade involving Ayton.

“The Celtics have no interest in an Ayton deal, per a league source, due to his pricy contract, so any scenario that involves Brogdon going to Phoenix now is dead without a third team getting involved. Phoenix could involve moving Ayton elsewhere but don’t look for Boston to get involved unless Ayton’s going to a different team.”

Multiple NBA Insiders have reported that the Celtics are looking into shoring up their frontcourt. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports wrote that “the Celtics are evaluating trade avenues to upgrade a thinner frontcourt, league sources told Yahoo Sports” on June 16. Matt Moore of Action Network wrote the same thing on June 18 while floating Ayton as an option.

“Perhaps equally notable is that Boston is said to be in the market for frontcourt additions, which Deandre Ayton would certainly qualify as, (That, however, is speculative on my part.)” Moore wrote.

Bradley Beal Trade Affects Suns Interest in Malcolm Brogdon

Fischer added in that same June 16 report that Malcolm Brogdon was among the players the Suns were interested in.

“Two names to keep an eye on in Phoenix’s trade pursuits: Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins and Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon,” Fischer wrote. “The Suns acquiring either of those veterans might require a third team to accept Paul’s outgoing salary — such as the Houston Rockets with their $60 million of cap space and counting — but Brogdon and Collins are a pair of players Phoenix has registered interest in during trade conversations with Boston and Atlanta, respectively, that date back to the trade deadline, sources said.”

With Beal onboard, Robb revealed how the trade affects the Suns’ interest in Brogdon now.

“This blockbuster deal all but eliminates any chance of a Phoenix/Boston swap now involving Brogdon barring an expansion of a Beal deal,” Robb wrote.

With Chris Paul gone and the Celtics not interested in Ayton, it’s downright impossible for the two sides to agree to a trade involving Brogdon unless the Suns dangle Kevin Durant or Devin Booker, which they certainly aren’t.

Malcolm Brogdon Deemed ‘Most Likely’ Guard to Be Traded

On June 17, NBA Insider Marc Stein reported that Brogdon is considered the most likely among the four primary Celtics guards to be traded this summer.

“Word is the most likely of the group to be dealt, entering the weekend, was Malcolm Brogdon rather than Marcus Smart, Derrick White or Payton Pritchard,” Stein wrote on his Substack.

Brogdon is coming off his healthiest season since his last year with the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2018-19 season, where he played 67 games. Brogdon went on to win the 2023 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, which could show any interested suitor that as long as you handle him delicately, he can produce exceedingly well off the bench.

The Boston Celtics may be on the lookout for possible frontcourt additions this summer. While they may very well turn to free agency to shore up their frontcourt, Matt Moore of Action Network floated Deandre Ayton as an option.

“Perhaps equally notable is that Boston is said to be in the market for frontcourt additions, which Deandre Ayton would certainly qualify as, (That, however, is speculative on my part.)” Moore wrote.

Ayton has well-documented issues with his current team, the Phoenix Suns. Zach Lowe revealed on his podcast that the Suns are “tired” of him. Perhaps a change of scenery would be just what the doctor ordered for Ayton.

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported something similar on June 16, saying that “the Celtics are evaluating trade avenues to upgrade a thinner frontcourt, league sources told Yahoo Sports.”

It makes sense why the Celtics are looking for help in their frontcourt, as Al Horford is 37 years old with only so much playing time left before he calls it a career. Robert Williams III has come along quite well over the years for the Celtics, but he continues to prove himself to be injury-prone.

Ayton’s issues with the Suns, along with the $100-plus million he’s owed over the next three years, could turn them off, but he is much younger than Horford and more dependable physically than Williams.

Suns Interested in Malcolm Brogdon

In that same report from Fischer, he named Malcolm Brogdon among the players the Suns are interested in acquiring.

“Two names to keep an eye on in Phoenix’s trade pursuits: Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins and Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon,” Fischer wrote. “The Suns acquiring either of those veterans might require a third team to accept Paul’s outgoing salary — such as the Houston Rockets with their $60 million of cap space and counting — but Brogdon and Collins are a pair of players Phoenix has registered interest in during trade conversations with Boston and Atlanta, respectively, that date back to the trade deadline, sources said.”

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Suns traded for Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal on June 18, which may or may not impact their interest in Brogdon since they have both Beal and Devin Booker in their backcourt.

Malcolm Brogdon Considered ‘Most Likely’ to Be Traded

While mentioning that the Celtics are looking to thin out their backcourt, NBA Insider Marc Stein revealed which one is the most likely to get traded.

“Word is the most likely of the group to be dealt, entering the weekend, was Malcolm Brogdon rather than Marcus Smart, Derrick White or Payton Pritchard,” Stein wrote on his Substack.

In Fishcer’s June 16 report, he added that Brogdon’s name has come up the most in trade talks, though only the Suns are the only team confirmed to be interested in him.

“Of the four Celtics guards, Brogdon’s name has been mentioned the most among league executives this past week, although Phoenix has so far been the only team cited by several NBA voices as a suitor to have interest in the Sixth Man of the Year.”

The Boston Celtics have to decide what they will do with Grant Williams this summer. With the forward approaching restricted free agency, he’ll have some suitors. According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, one of those suitors is the Dallas Mavericks.

Scotto not only reported the Mavericks as one of Williams’ suitors but also added what connections Williams has to the Mavericks.

“The latest team to have interest in Williams looking ahead to free agency is the Dallas Mavericks, league sources told HoopsHype. It’s worth noting Williams and Mavericks star Luka Doncic are both represented by WME Sports,” Scotto wrote.

As a restricted free agent, the Celtics can match any offer sheet Williams signs this offseason. At the same time, Williams could get an offer too rich for the Celtics’ liking. Something they also need to consider is how they would replace Williams should he leave. Will they add someone off the market to take his place, or will they rely on Danilo Gallinari, fresh off an ACL re-tear, to fill the void?

Suns Interested in Malcolm Brogdon

On June 16, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported that Malcolm Brogdon is among the Phoenix Suns‘ trade targets this offseason.

“Two names to keep an eye on in Phoenix’s trade pursuits: Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins and Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon,” Fischer wrote. “The Suns acquiring either of those veterans might require a third team to accept Paul’s outgoing salary — such as the Houston Rockets with their $60 million of cap space and counting — but Brogdon and Collins are a pair of players Phoenix has registered interest in during trade conversations with Boston and Atlanta, respectively, that date back to the trade deadline, sources said.”

Fischer added that Brogdon has been floated the most among the Celtics’ guards, though the Suns are the only confirmed interested party.

“Of the four Celtics guards, Brogdon’s name has been mentioned the most among league executives this past week, although Phoenix has so far been the only team cited by several NBA voices as a suitor to have interest in the Sixth Man of the Year.”

It would be hard to gauge what the Suns would trade to the Celtics to make a fair deal for Brogdon, but should the Celtics look to trade him, they at least know that they have an option.

Insiders Reveal Who is ‘Most’ & ‘Least’ Likely to Be Traded

On June 17, Marc Stein revealed that Brogdon is the most likely among the Celtics guard to get traded this offseason.

“Word is the most likely of the group to be dealt, entering the weekend, was Malcolm Brogdon rather than Marcus Smart, Derrick White or Payton Pritchard,” Stein wrote on his Substack.

In Fischer’s report about Brogdon, he added that the least likely Celtics guard to be traded is Derrick White.

“For what it’s worth, White has been described by opposing personnel as the least likely of Boston’s guards to be moved this offseason, particularly after a stellar playoff run,” Fischer wrote.

Even though Brogdon may very well get the boot, it does not necessarily mean he won’t remain with the Celtics.

Because the Boston Celtics are a little crowded in their backcourt, they may make some changes to it this offseason. NBA Insider Marc Stein reported which one is the most likely to find a new team this summer.

“Word is the most likely of the group to be dealt, entering the weekend, was Malcolm Brogdon rather than Marcus Smart, Derrick White or Payton Pritchard,” Stein wrote on his Substack.

Brogdon has two years and $45 million left on his contract, which is an affordable deal for the NBA’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year, though he has a reputation for being injury-prone. Though Stein said that Brogdon is the most likely guard to get dealt, it’s possible none of the Celtics’ four guards get traded this summer.

If he does, what remains to be seen is if the Celtics will trade him for draft assets or they trade him for a player(s) who they believe would fit the roster better than him.

Suns Interested in Malcolm Brogdon

Should the Celtics opt to trade Brogdon this summer, there is at least one confirmed interested suitor for his services this summer. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported on June 16 that the Phoenix Suns have Brogdon as one of their trade targets.

“Two names to keep an eye on in Phoenix’s trade pursuits: Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins and Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon,” Fischer wrote. “The Suns acquiring either of those veterans might require a third team to accept Paul’s outgoing salary — such as the Houston Rockets with their $60 million of cap space and counting — but Brogdon and Collins are a pair of players Phoenix has registered interest in during trade conversations with Boston and Atlanta, respectively, that date back to the trade deadline, sources said.”

It would be difficult to see how a Celtics-Suns trade would come to fruition seeing how the Suns don’t have much to offer outside of their top four players of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and DeAndre Ayton. The Suns also traded their first-round draft picks, among other assets, to the Brooklyn Nets when they acquired Durant.

Derrick White Considered ‘Least Likely’ to Be Traded

In Fischer’s June 16 report, he also confirmed that Derrick White is considered the least likely among the Celtics’ quartet of guards to be traded.

“For what it’s worth, White has been described by opposing personnel as the least likely of Boston’s guards to be moved this offseason, particularly after a stellar playoff run,” Fischer wrote.

White’s contract is much cheaper than Brogdon’s, as he is owed upwards of $36 million over the next two seasons.

White was much more efficient in his first full year with the Celtics, as he shot 46.2% from the field and 38.1% from three during the 2022-23 season compared to the 40.9% and 30.6% he shot in those respective areas in his half-season with the Celtics in 2022.

White played a pivotal role in helping the Celtics make it to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, which included saving the Celtics’ season in Game 6 on a buzzer-beating putback.