Boston Celtics: 3 decisions Brad Stevens is going to have to make quickly
By Duncan Smith
Brad Stevens’ second task with the Boston Celtics: Pick a short-term direction
There’s no doubt that a championship is the ultimate goal for Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics, but how to get there? This is a talented team, but not one equipped to go on a Finals run through the likes of the Brooklyn Nets (imagine saying that five years ago), the Milwaukee Bucks or the Philadelphia 76ers.
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For that matter, the Celtics might not even be better than a retooled and revitalized Toronto Raptors squad, or the Miami Heat. Simply being the Celtics is not enough in an Eastern Conference that gets tougher at the top by the year.
The Celtics could fall into the trap of thinking that running it back might be enough next season. After all, they were felled by constant injury misfortune, COVID outbreaks and just the worst luck possible from the beginning of the season to the end. However, they’re going to have to find a path to improvement that goes beyond hoping that Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both have yet another level they can rise to.
They may have to make tough decisions with regards to players like Tristan Thompson and Marcus Smart, who both become free agents after next season. Kemba Walker is due $36 million next season and has a $37 million player option in 2022-23. Evan Fournier is a pending free agent, and for these reasons and more Stevens will have to figure out how to maximize the talent he has on this roster without mortgaging the future.