1 New Year’s resolution for every team in 2024: Atlantic Division
By Tyler Key
It is that time of the year again. Everyone everywhere is thinking about their New Year’s resolutions and what they need to do to better themselves as the calendars switch over. The National Basketball Association is no different, as players, teams, general managers, and franchise owners all look at their NBA needs and to-do lists, entering 2024. Here is perhaps the biggest need for each NBA team in the Atlantic Division:
Celtics Resolution: Add one more quality center.
Boston Needs… to add one more quality center to the roster at the trade deadline. The Boston Celtics are title-favorites, rightly so, as they have looked like the best team in the league in 2023-2024. Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday have both been historically great additions to the team and Derrick White is even getting All-star buzz. The biggest concern for this team comes down to big-man health, as Al Horford is 37-years-old and Kristaps Porzingis is generally viewed as an injury waiting to happen.
The only other true centers on the roster are Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta (who is on a two-way contract). There is also Oshae Brissett, but he is very undersized, standing at just 6’7” tall. Their margin for error in the front court is not great currently and adding someone like a Daniel Theis could be an under the radar great move.
Theis will no longer be needed by the Clippers once Mason Plumlee returns from injury and with Ivica Zubac playing so well as of late. Theis has proven to be a solid big man when needed and is very familiar with the Celtics franchise already.
They could also opt for a buy-out center or a current free agent (Blake Griffin rumors are still lingering), but none of these options are likely a step-up from Luke Kornet. Regardless, a buy-out big would still be better than nothing.