![]() ![]() While Ingram and the Pels are fighting for a coveted spot in the postseason, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell have positioned their teams toward the top of the standings. The New Orleans Pelicans are in do-or-die mode, sitting on the cusp of elimination if they hope to win two-straight games and secure a spot in the first round, they’ll need forward Brandon Ingram to deliver back-to-back big performances. While we can't go as far as predicting a Marcus Smart swap, we do feel confident saying he's more likely to be moved than Derrick White.The stage is set-the NBA Playoffs are here! As it stands currently, seeds 1 through 6 are locked in, with this week’s play-in games set to decide seeds 7 and 8. Payton Pritchard is the most obvious trade candidate, but Malcolm Brogdon could be heavily shopped, too. It's way too soon to abandon hope for this uber-talented twosome.īeyond that, look for the Celtics to clear up some backcourt congestion in hopes of adding a plug-and-play wing or a backup big. The Brown-Jayson Tatum tandem is among the NBA's best. The Indiana Pacers are a potential poacher if he walks.īoston needs to decide whether to give Jaylen Brown a supermax extension, and while that's a ton of cash for someone who has encountered more than his fair share of turnover trouble, we're betting the deal gets done. If he's closer to $15 million or even $20 million, he'll be out the door. If his salary comes in near $10 million, the Celtics probably bring him back. It could be just about any of the wings mocked in this range, but for specificity's sake, our crystal ball likes UCLA's Jaime Jaquez Jr., who isn't an elite athlete but offers significant polish, readiness and skill.Īs for free agency, our hunch is Muscala stays, Griffin goes and Williams' fate is sealed by the market. While the Celtics have one of the Association's deepest, most talented rosters, they could still be in for a busy summer.Īssuming Boston stays in its current draft slot, the safe bet is on this front office adding another forward to the exchange. Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images The Celtics have reportedly explored sign-and-trade scenarios involving Williams, per The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor. The 24-year-old has been a helpful third big-a more important role than it sounds given Al Horford's age (37) and Robert Williams III's injury issues-but teams might throw him an offer sheet above what Boston is comfortable paying him. Williams is the one to watch, though, as he could have a healthy market and wasn't quite a nightly regular under coach Joe Mazzulla. Muscala seems worth keeping at this price ( $3.5 million, per Spotrac), but he's not essential should Boston decide it wants to fill that roster spot with someone else. Danilo Gallinari could have made it four, but he already picked up his player option, which became a no-brainer decision after losing this past season to a torn ACL. Jackson, a bouncy forward from South Carolina who ranked among the top 2023 high school recruits before reclassifying to get to college (and now the NBA) quicker.īoston doesn't have a lot to figure out in free agency.Įxcluding its players on two-way contracts, the Celtics only have three players ticketed for free agency: Grant Williams (restricted), Mike Muscala (team option) and Blake Griffin (unrestricted). The Athletic's Sam Vecenie had Julian Phillips, an athletic wing out of Tennessee who plays with great energy at both ends.įinally, ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo settled on G.G. It's also where the New Orleans Pelicans found Herbert Jones and the Memphis Grizzlies grabbed Xavier Tillman.Įxperts have mocked some interesting prospects to the Celtics in this spot.ī/R's Jonathan Wasserman went with athletic wing playmaker Andre Jackson Jr. In the past decade, the draft slot has produced more misses than hits, but it is where the Golden State Warriors once snagged Draymond Green. Still, the pick is early enough to reasonably hope they find someone who can crack the rotation sooner than later. They only have a single selection, and it won't land until the second round (No. It's unlikely this draft will be super-helpful to the Shamrocks. Chris McDill/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images ![]()
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