Deep in the depths of the 2023 offseason, there are still a number of questions about the Boston Celtics in terms of their potential, their weaknesses, their strengths, and what we expect from the team on a more granular level.
To set out expectations and get a bead on one of the most important seasons in recent Celtics history, the writers at USA TODAY’s Celtics Wire put our heads together to create a four-pronged exploration of Boston and their 2023-24 campaign that will focus on the team’s ownership, front office, players, and prospects for full season awards for the season ahead.
Buy Celtics TicketsWe’ll start off the first installation with Adam Taylor, Cameron Tabatabaie, and Justin Quinn breaking down their expectations of the team’s ownership group as the ball club makes a run on the 2024 title and a league-record 18th banner.
"Better spacing & a reliable kickout option in Kristaps Porzingis, that should really go a long way for Boston"
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How do we think ownership approaches the new CBA landscape in terms of spending? Do they have to win this year and/or next to justify? What other approaches might they take?
Adam Taylor: It will likely be a “feeling out process.” I would expect the front office to have a hard stop just below the second tax apron while they see how much the punitive measures affect other teams in the league.
I would expect to see Boston — and most other contending teams — begin to cycle through 10-day contracts and two-way players at a much higher rate in the coming years, as they try to find cheap contributors who can “stick.”
For the upcoming season, I don’t think much changes, as the core is already in place and Jaylen Brown’s extension doesn’t kick in until next summer.
“I’m definitely excited,” he explained. “I do my work, I’m always ready, so I’ve been ready for (a bigger role) for a long time now.” https://t.co/e6jksdGCes
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 21, 2023
Justin Quinn: I have to agree with Adam regarding a “feeling out process;” Grousbeck et al. have not shied away from spending when they know they have a real contender on their hands, and they have been close enough in recent seasons to be comfortable with setting themselves up for a club with two supermax players on their roster.
That could change if things fail again — particularly with a postseason exit before the conference finals — but I won’t be surprised if they hit the second apron in consecutive seasons so long as Boston makes at least as deep of a run as they did last season.
“I’m not saying I have to like it, but it’s it be something I’m at a point now that I should understand,” said Daniels. https://t.co/9NafjIMeIn
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 22, 2023
Cameron Tabatabaie: Whenever a new CBA is inked, it takes a few seasons for teams (and the league) to really know how everything works in practice.
For that reason I expect this Celtics ownership to tread lightly. They don’t have deep enough pockets to be the team that accidentally paints itself into a corner or underestimates an important element of the new rules.
That doesn’t mean this is a make-or-break year, however. There is some appetite to spend into the tax and hold steady to maintain a championship window. But because the different aprons place constraints on team building beyond financial penalties, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Celtics are both more cautious and more proactive.
Such a move would likely involve a three-team deal — possibly as part of a package for another disgruntled floor general, Damian Lillard. https://t.co/6FQhMJxZMY
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 22, 2023
What happens to the team if they win it all this szn in terms of future spending? What happens if they don't? And the season after that?
AT: There are some tough decisions ahead either way. Jaylen Brown’s supermax contract kicks in next summer, and Jayson Tatum will be getting ready to sign his own mega-deal.
Once both of those contracts are in full flow, the Celtics will be in the tax and struggling to stay under the second apron. Then there are potential extensions for Derrick White, and Robert Williams III both on the horizon.
If the Celtics win, they probably eat the big tax bill to keep the core together, but they will only shoulder that financial hit for so long.
As each day passes with Brogdon still away from the team, speculation fueled by the little we know grows on what might be up. https://t.co/axo09mppsg
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 22, 2023
JQ: As I alluded to above, if they win a banner, the purse strings fly open and stay that way for at least a few more seasons.
If they don’t and it’s not a notable step backward, they’ll likely shuffle things as much or more than they did this summer, but will likely stay above the second apron with Jaylen Brown’s supermax kicking in unless a realistic opportunity to slide under again presents itself.
If they lose badly in the postseason, though, expect major moves to deal one of the team’s higher-paid players not from Missouri for younger players and a significant expiring deal to sneak back under the second apron while retooling. And as much as it pains me to say it, more likely than not that player would be Brown.
Rivers’ willingness to play a flexible role and his playoff experience make him a potential candidate for the Celtics’ last roster spot. https://t.co/mzOWILXEdg
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 22, 2023
CT: Eventually Boston will need to reset the board in terms of salary. This is especially true if Derrick White is destined for any sort of payday.
I think the expectation that the Tatum-Brown duo has a short window is probably wrong. Boston has a number of ways to reload on the fly while keeping those two happy and paid. Win or lose the roster will look reasonably different two or three seasons from now, but everyone in the NBA is going to be facing that concern.
Here are a few goals for Al Horford so he can maximize his impact on the court while staying fresh for the postseason. https://t.co/QNfNW7Qdwf
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 22, 2023
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