New-look Boston Celtics no longer the Eastern favorites
By Adam Taylor
2019-20 Roster
Key Additions: Kemba Walker (sign-and-trade), Enes Kanter (free agency), Vincent Poirier (undrafted free agent), Romeo Langford (draft), Grant Williams (draft), Carsen Edwards (draft), Tremont Waters (draft).
Key Subtractions: Kyrie Irving (free agency), Al Horford (free agency), Aron Baynes (trade), Terry Rozier (sign-and-trade), Marcus Morris (free agency).
The upheaval was a necessary evil heading into the summer. It had become clear the roster as constructed would not be able to continue. Too many times during the season players displayed selfish play, opting to take contested shots rather than find an open man.
While the finger of blame has been pointed by fans and media alike, there is truth to the theory that every player on the roster had a part to play. Unhappiness is a poison within a locker room; it breeds discontent among other members of the team and can spread like wildfire.
Having lost five senior players via either trade or free agency the front office had to get creative, especially at the center position as it was widely believed Horford would be re-signing in Boston.
Danny Ainge produced a masterstroke with his ability to pivot from losing Kyrie Irving to acquiring Kemba Walker via sign-and-trade with Terry Rozier heading in the opposite direction on a similar deal.
Unfortunately, Aron Baynes became a casualty of the roster movement, being sent over to Phoenix to free the cap space required to seal Walker’s arrival. This trade happened before Horford signed with Philadelphia, leaving the team shockingly weak at the center position.
By bringing in Enes Kanter and Vincent Poirier, Ainge instantly solved the rebounding issues which have plagued this team for close to a decade. However, on paper, it did little to resolve the defensive deficiencies now prevalent in the Boston Celtics frontcourt.
With minimal cap space and an obvious focus on building from within becoming clear, the Celtics signed four rookies. Each of the young additions will bring something new to the team, providing Brad Stevens with options heading into the new season. It would be unrealistic however to expect them to have an impact on the level of Jayson Tatum right out of the gate.
While it was clear this type of clearinghouse was necessary, it has done little to quell the questions surrounding the Celtics in the short-term. Trade talks will soon become commonplace across social media and tabloid outlets, as the team looks to solidify its identity moving forward.