The Boston Celtics officially blew a 3-1 lead to the Philadelphia 76ers. Being eliminated from the playoffs in this fashion is embarrassing for the franchise, especially after they were the favorites to win the East. Now, the offseason is upon them.
Boston didn’t have Jayson Tatum for most of the season. Yet, he was excellent in the games he was able to play in this series against Philly. They have other positions that need to be addressed, especially in the frontcourt. The rotation of centers had no answers for Joel Embiid.
Bleacher Report believes that the Celtics will target a center in an offseason trade who has been seemingly available for a while.
GettyDallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford looks to set up a shot. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Celtics Predicted to Pursue Mavericks Center in Offseason Trade
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report believes that the Celtics could go after Mavericks center Daniel Gafford. Gafford was thrown around in many trade rumors at the deadline, but he was not moved. Buckley gives his reasoning for Boston needing Gafford.
“He forces absolutely nothing on the offensive end, as he’s content to feast on the scoring chances his more crafty teammates create. He’ll lean into the elbow-grease aspects of the center position, like rolling hard out of solid screens or motoring down the floor for easy looks, and maximize his chances when his effort is rewarded. That materializes in different ways, but it’s most evident in his career 70.2 field-goal percentage.”
Gafford would give Boston a proven center who can play well on both ends of the floor. Against Philly, Joe Mazzulla struggled to find the proper rotation with his big men. That was one of the big reasons why the Celtics are now going home instead of advancing.
While Gafford does not bring the ability to shoot 3s, neither does current center Neemias Queta. Boston was able to win 56 games with him as their starting center. However, the Celtics would be better suited to adding a center who doesn’t have as many dumb fouls as Queta accumulates.
GettyBoston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown drives the ball in a game against the 76ers. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Boston Might Have a Cap Crunch Coming This Summer
While the Celtics need to change some of the roster, it might be tough to do so. They were able to navigate out of the second apron of the luxury tax this season. In fact, they were able to completely skirt the luxury tax when they offloaded Anfernee Simons.
However, the Celtics are over the first apron next season with the current construction of the roster. Depending on how new owner Bill Chisholm wants to run the team, that could be an issue. If he doesn’t want to pay into the luxury tax, it could be tough to re-jigger the roster.
Adding the proper players to support Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be the difference in the Celtics returning to title contention or starting to fall behind other teams in the East.
Celtics Predicted to Explore Offseason Trade For Seemingly Available Center