Boston Celtics: 2017-18 NBA season preview
Roster
Kadeem Allen, SG
Aron Baynes, C
Jabari Bird, SG
Jaylen Brown, SG/SF
Gordon Hayward, F
Al Horford, C
Kyrie Irving, PG
Shane Larkin, PG
Marcus Morris, SF/PF
Abdel Nader, SF
Semi Ojeleye, SF
Terry Rozier, PG
Marcus Smart, PG/SG
Jayson Tatum, SF
Daniel Theis, PF/C
Guerschon Yabusele, PF
Offseason Additions
Kadeem Allen (two-way contract), Aron Baynes (free agent, Detroit Pistons), Jabari Bird (two-way contract), Gordon Hayward (free agent, Utah Jazz), Kyrie Irving (trade, Cleveland Cavaliers), Shane Larkin (free agent, LKB), Marcus Morris (trade, Detroit Pistons), Abdel Nader (free agent, Maine Red Claws), Semi Ojeleye (drafted, SMU), L.J. Peak (undrafted free agent, Georgetown), Jayson Tatum (draft, Duke), Daniel Theis (free agent, Brose Bamberg), Guerschon Yabusele (signed, Shanghai Dongfang)
Offseason Departures
Avery Bradley (trade, Detroit Pistons), Jae Crowder (trade, Cleveland Cavaliers), Gerald Green (free agent, Milwaukee Bucks), Demetrius Jackson (free agent, Houston Rockets), Jonas Jerebko (free agent, Utah Jazz), Amir Johnson (free agent, Philadelphia 76ers), Jordan Mickey (free agent, Miami Heat), Kelly Olynyk (free agent, Miami Heat), Isaiah Thomas (trade, Cleveland Cavaliers), James Young (free agent, unsigned), Tyler Zeller (free agent, Brooklyn Nets), Ante Zizic (trade, Cleveland Cavaliers)
Quick Thoughts
The amount of turnover on the roster was incredible — as mentioned before, only four players return from a team that won 53 games last season, the most in the Eastern Conference. Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, Jaylen Brown and Al Horford will carry the torch of continuity as everyone else strives to find a place.
Boston was not starved for assets, and they cashed in many of those chips to fill out the roster this season. This year’s draft yielded four players, and they added three from last season’s draft this offseason as well (before shipping one, Ante Zizic, out in the Kyrie Irving deal).
The headlines for this team will be seized by the stars. How does Irving follow in the footsteps of Isaiah Thomas, who became a fan favorite and produced one of the greatest offensive seasons of all time last year? Is Gordon Hayward an All-NBA caliber player, or just a fringe All-Star?
Beyond the headlines, head coach Brad Stevens will be tasked with creating a rotation and a bench out of new pieces. With Irving starting at the 1, does Stevens pair him with Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier or Jaylen Brown? How much run does Jayson Tatum deserve as a rookie? Is there room in the rotation for Guerschon Yabusele, Daniel Theis or Abdel Nader?