Ranking the top 5 NBA backcourts after the Dejounte Murray trade

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MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 04: Marcus Smart #36 and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics celebrate against the Miami Heat during the second quarter at FTX Arena on November 04, 2021 in Miami, Florida, Ranking the top 5 NBA backcourts after the Dejounte Murray trade. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Ranking the top 5 NBA backcourts after the Dejounte Murray trade: 3. Boston Celtics, Marcus Smart/Jaylen Brown

It appears that even despite the addition of Brogdon, the Celtics will retain their taller starting five with twin towers Al Horford and Robert Williams III. That means the starting backcourt responsibilities will stay with Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart and their leading scorer in the Finals, Jaylen Brown.

The two may be considered the best point-of-attack duo in the league, combining with the interior presence of Horford and Williams to create the best defensive team in the league this season.

Offensively, Brown has grown his offensive repertoire throughout each of his six seasons in the league. He averaged 23.1 points on 47/37/76 shooting splits during the playoffs.

Smart remains an inconsistent offensive player – he’s capable of 20-point or ten assist games, but can also produce poor shooting games that can prove difficult for his team to overcome.

The Celtics did lack a genuine playmaker in the Finals, with general manager Brad Stevens alluding to the aspect in the aftermath of their loss to the Warriors.

"“I think we need a little bit more playmaking…I think that’s real. We have to make sure that we continue to play with pace. When we are at our best, we play with pace”."

Boston will hope that the addition of Brogdon proves the missing link as they move forward. With him, Smart, Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard, the Celtics may have the league’s deepest pool of talent at the guard positions.