What’s next Boston Celtics?
What’s next Boston Celtics?
Let us go back in time. It is 2017, Boston Celtics had a pretty good season, finishing first in the Eastern Division. Isiah Thomas had an amazing season, probably the best of his career, averaging 28.9 points per game, being in top three for the MVP title. Then Danny Ainge, Boston Celtics’ GM succeeded what was considered at the time one of the best moves for him as a GM. He traded Thomas, Jae Crowder and the first pick among other players to Cleveland for Kyrie Irving. Moreover, Celtics managed to acquire Gordon Hayward in free agency, and last but not least, they drafted Jayson Tatum, a good young player, soon to become a great asset for the team.
The starting five was delicious to watch in the preseason, Al Horford, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward and Jayleen Brown and was immediately considered a title contender.
In the first official game, Hayward, unfortunately, broke his leg and was the start of many disappointments. Kyrie could not lead his team to a title and after two years wants to leave Boston, a franchise well known for its glorious history.
What could have been a dynasty, proved to be a fuss and now, every all-star is considering to opt out.
Horford will decline his $30.1MM player option with the Celtics and pursue a multi-year contract in free agency, while Irving and Hayward are in negotiation with different teams.
Will Boston be a title contender next season? Maybe, if Jayson Tatum and Jayleen Brown will step up, but even so, they need some all-star calibre players to deal with Sixers, Bucks or even Atlanta in East.
Nicolae Sorocan
