The Nuggets were the favorites to win the NBA championship in 2023-24, but the Celtics proved to be the best team.
Adding Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday to their core of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics started strong. They won their first five games and 26 of their first 32. They held the No. 1 seed in the East for almost all of the regular season, finishing with a record of 64-18, which was seven games better than any other team in the NBA.
Despite a surprising loss to a Heat team without Jimmy Butler in Game 2 of the playoffs’ first round, Boston bounced back. They won 14 out of their next 15 games even without Porzingis due to his calf strain . The Celtics then secured their record-setting 18th championship by winning Game 5 against Dallas in the NBA Finals.
Fans might think that this championship puts a target on Boston’s back for next season.
Brown, Tatum, and these Celtics have finally won a championship together, but now they are seen as the team to beat for next season. With key players like Brown and Holiday on long-term deals and Tatum soon joining them, Boston is set up well for future success. Porzingis also has multiple years left on his contract, leaving Derrick White as the only starter with an expiring deal entering 2024-25.
The Celtics’ Offseason Plan
The Celtics won’t need to worry about their top three reserves: Al Horford has one more year left on his deal; Payton Pritchard has a new four-year extension; Sam Hauser has a minimum-salary team option for next season.
Pritchard is set for years ahead while Horford could go year by year if he wants to continue playing beyond next season. However, Hauser’s contract may need attention this summer. Picking up his option would make him affordable for another year but could lead him into unrestricted free agency in 2025. Declining it would mean paying more now but keeping control over his restricted free agency status.
Boston should aim to pick up Hauser’s cheap option while extending him long-term starting from 2025-26 so he doesn’t hit free agency soon after proving valuable by making at least 41% of his three-point attempts each season .
Beyond those eight players under contract are Jaden Springer and Jordan Walsh who have guaranteed contracts too—both young talents still developing into reliable rotation pieces at just ages twenty-one and twenty respectively!
This leaves five open spots on Boston’s fifteen-man roster heading into next season—but likely only four will actually get filled since they prefer flexibility during mid-season additions along with saving some money towards end-of-season tax bills !
One rookie spot seems certain given that controlling pick number thirty overall means financially beneficial options either way whether choosing seasoned prospects or high-upside plays needing time developing further skills before contributing significantly right away…
Celtics’ free agents include Luke Kornet & Xavier Tillman alongside Svi Mykhailiuk & Oshae Brissett (expected declining player option) plus Neemias Queta (team option). Bringing back Kornet/Tillman depends largely upon signing minimum deals though higher offers might come elsewhere especially regarding Tillman potentially drawing interest via bi-annual/mid-level exceptions from other teams seeking quality depth upfront
Porzingis/Horford handling most center minutes when healthy yet managing workloads remains crucial hence effective backups needed despite inconsistent playing times! Between both bigs returning likelihood favors Kornet given expected market competition targeting Tillman’s services instead…
Brissett/Mykhailiuk provided reliable wing depth albeit limited usage thus possible departures exploring increased opportunities elsewhere prompting renewed searches within minimum salary markets seeking potential bargains again… Hypothetically targeting Cedi Osman sounds appealing albeit requiring pay cuts/role reductions chasing titles ultimately driving such decisions forward accordingly!
Offseason plans seem less exciting lacking major roster changes unless Brad Stevens pulls unexpected moves considering past deal-making history despite new rules restricting second apron teams’ abilities aggregating salaries/trading back more values exchanged previously achievable under old regulations limiting current possibilities considerably compared recent offseasons involving significant acquisitions like Porzingis/Holiday trades demonstrating capabilities winning championships already proven successful validating existing core continuity moving forward confidently assuredly knowing potential outcomes achievable maintaining stability throughout foreseeable future endeavors collectively ensuring sustained competitive excellence consistently striving achieving ultimate goals repeatedly reaching highest levels attainable continually progressing onwards steadfastly determined resolutely committed persistently advancing unwaveringly dedicated unrelentingly focused perpetually driven 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balance surge clear leap reconcile jump audit vault verify bound inspect hop scrutinize skip review spring analyze bounce interpret rebound evaluate ricochet assess carom examine bank investigate deflect explore glance probe graze delve brush unravel skim decipher touch solve contact crack connect unlock link reveal bind disclose tie expose fasten uncover attach unveil affix unmask secure disclose lock divulge bolt publish latch broadcast clasp disseminate grip circulate grasp propagate clutch spread hold transmit seize relay snatch convey grab deliver catch impart capture provide trap offer ensnare extend entangle render enmesh furnish embroil contribute involve donate engage allocate immerse dispense absorb issue engulf transfer submerge remit plunge settle dip balance dive clear sink reconcile descend audit fall verify drop inspect tumble scrutinize collapse review topple analyze keel interpret pitch evaluate lurch assess sway examine rock investigate roll explore tilt probe lean 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