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The Celtics quest to repeat as NBA champions is set to begin this weekend with a showdown against the Orlando Magic. With a favorable playoff path set in stone for Boston for at least the first two rounds in the East, let’s examine some questions about their series against the Magic and the implications of another offseason trade involving Kevin Durant changing addresses yet again.
What do you make of the mess in Phoenix? There are rumors swirling around Kevin Durant yet again. Could there be any serious implications for the Celtics in the East? There is no way they would get involved, right? -- Josh C
It’s not a surprise that the situation in Phoenix blew up, but the fact it’s reached a point of no return this quickly is wild. The Suns boxed themselves in a corner, taking on that Bradley Beal contract without getting him to waive his no-trade clause, and after emptying all of their assets on Durant and him, they are left with no clear path of getting back to a contender level just as Durant’s prime is closing/is already closed.
The only way out may just be trading Durant away and it’s not going to happen with Boston for obvious reasons. The Celtics have considered that path before, but their choice to hold on to emerging youth rather than sell the farm to land him looks savvy. However, Durant joining an Eastern Conference contender could change the complexion of the East a bit, especially if the Celtics have to start doing some trimming to their own depth chart due to tax implications.
There are plenty of potential landing spots in the Western Conference, but the desperation of plenty of suitors probably won’t be known until after the first couple rounds of the playoffs. The Spurs have the assets to make a push, but Durant’s obviously not on the same timeline as Wemby. The Wolves reportedly inquired at the trade deadline, but they don’t have a ton of appealing young assets that they would be willing to move, either.
The good news for Boston is that a lot of the top talent in the East is already locked in to their current rosters. The Knicks used a ton of their remaining trade capital to land Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges this summer, so unless the Suns are looking for a win-now package, it’s difficult to envision them outbidding most Western Conference suitors. Other East options (Heat) don’t have an enticing package to offer either, so Durant’s presence on the market is unlikely to impact the Celtics in the battle for future East supremacy.
What type of rotation will we see for the playoffs with the Celtics? Joe Mazzulla likes to lean on his top guys, but does the matchup with Orlando and Jaylen Brown’s injury lead to adjustments? -- Andy
If there was ever a series for the Celtics to lean into their double big alignments in the playoffs, this would be it. Orlando has plenty of size across their front court from Paolo Banchero to Wendell Carter Jr. so it will be a tall task for Boston to match their physicality with single big lineups. Orlando is also the worst 3-point shooting team in the playoffs by a landslide, so guys like Luke Kornet or Kristaps Porzingis should be able to provide better help rim protection without worrying about closing out to the 3-point line.
Jaylen Brown’s injury is the x-factor in this equation. He averaged 37 minutes per game last postseason, but he hasn’t crossed the 30-minute mark in more than a month since being diagnosed with a bone bruise. With a two-week layoff since he last played, I’d be stunned to see him go beyond the low 30-minute mark in Game 1 Sunday, and that should pave the way for more double-big lineups. Joe Mazzulla has nine players he can comfortably mix in with a healthy rotation, and I’d expect him to do so since the starting lineup may not even end up being the best look against this Magic squad.
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What do you make of the mess in Phoenix? There are rumors swirling around Kevin Durant yet again. Could there be any serious implications for the Celtics in the East? There is no way they would get involved, right? -- Josh C
It’s not a surprise that the situation in Phoenix blew up, but the fact it’s reached a point of no return this quickly is wild. The Suns boxed themselves in a corner, taking on that Bradley Beal contract without getting him to waive his no-trade clause, and after emptying all of their assets on Durant and him, they are left with no clear path of getting back to a contender level just as Durant’s prime is closing/is already closed.
The only way out may just be trading Durant away and it’s not going to happen with Boston for obvious reasons. The Celtics have considered that path before, but their choice to hold on to emerging youth rather than sell the farm to land him looks savvy. However, Durant joining an Eastern Conference contender could change the complexion of the East a bit, especially if the Celtics have to start doing some trimming to their own depth chart due to tax implications.
There are plenty of potential landing spots in the Western Conference, but the desperation of plenty of suitors probably won’t be known until after the first couple rounds of the playoffs. The Spurs have the assets to make a push, but Durant’s obviously not on the same timeline as Wemby. The Wolves reportedly inquired at the trade deadline, but they don’t have a ton of appealing young assets that they would be willing to move, either.
The good news for Boston is that a lot of the top talent in the East is already locked in to their current rosters. The Knicks used a ton of their remaining trade capital to land Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges this summer, so unless the Suns are looking for a win-now package, it’s difficult to envision them outbidding most Western Conference suitors. Other East options (Heat) don’t have an enticing package to offer either, so Durant’s presence on the market is unlikely to impact the Celtics in the battle for future East supremacy.
What type of rotation will we see for the playoffs with the Celtics? Joe Mazzulla likes to lean on his top guys, but does the matchup with Orlando and Jaylen Brown’s injury lead to adjustments? -- Andy
If there was ever a series for the Celtics to lean into their double big alignments in the playoffs, this would be it. Orlando has plenty of size across their front court from Paolo Banchero to Wendell Carter Jr. so it will be a tall task for Boston to match their physicality with single big lineups. Orlando is also the worst 3-point shooting team in the playoffs by a landslide, so guys like Luke Kornet or Kristaps Porzingis should be able to provide better help rim protection without worrying about closing out to the 3-point line.
Jaylen Brown’s injury is the x-factor in this equation. He averaged 37 minutes per game last postseason, but he hasn’t crossed the 30-minute mark in more than a month since being diagnosed with a bone bruise. With a two-week layoff since he last played, I’d be stunned to see him go beyond the low 30-minute mark in Game 1 Sunday, and that should pave the way for more double-big lineups. Joe Mazzulla has nine players he can comfortably mix in with a healthy rotation, and I’d expect him to do so since the starting lineup may not even end up being the best look against this Magic squad.
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