The Boston Celtics shakeups are signaling signs of urgency. Shakeup number one was the resignation of President Danny Ainge. The second move was to announce that Brad Stevens will be President of Basketball Operations. In less than twenty_four hours after the Stevens move, Kemba walker was an Oklahoma City Thunder. The team shipped the disgruntled playmaker to the Thunder for Al Horford and center Moses Brown. In this post, we will evaluate three reasons why the organization is signaling urgency.
Celtics Receive Financial Flexibility
By dealing Kemba Walker away, the club saves $ 9,000,000 dollars in cap_space for the 2021 /22 season. With that capital, the Celtics can restructure Evan Fournier and Robert Williams’s contract.
The Celtics acquired Evan Fournier at the trade deadline. An unrestricted free agent it is expected that Stevens will go all out to resign the accomplished guard. In Williams, he has one_year left on a four_year deal. He will make a base salary of over $2,000,000 dollars this season. I look for both players to be in Celtics uniforms this upcoming season.
The key to the deal was getting out of Kemba Walker’s $83,000,000 dollars salary. The Thunder who are rebuilding received the Celtics number one pick in the upcoming 2021 NBA Draft.
More Deals Ahead
Celtics fans can expect a very busy off _season. Nobody on the current roster is safe. Outside of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, anyone is expendable. Veteran Marcus Smart has value and will be an attractive trade talk chip this summer. Center Robert Williams is injury prone and is also on the block. The club is loaded with centers and Williams’s age will be intriguing to other teams.
Free Agency
The cash _strapped Celtics do not have the wiggle room this year. I do not expect the organization to even attempt to pursue a DeMar DeRozen, Kawhi Leonard, Victor Oladipo, Jure Holiday, or Rudy Gobert. look for the team to pursue current player Evan Fournier. Fournier when healthy is an excellent shooter. If anything I see the club signing an inexpensive veteran.
Conclusion
With, all the activity in recent days, the Celtics need leadership. With the signing of Ime Udoka as head coach, the need needs to mature and close out games better. Blowing large leads was the story in 2021. Focusing on defense and ball movement will significantly improve the franchise.