Boston Celtics Free Agency Grades
Boston Celtics
Draft: Jaylen Brown, Guerschon Yabusele, Ante Zizic, Demetrius Jackson, Ben Bentil, Abdel Nader
Free agency: signed Al Horford
Departures: Evan Turner, Jared Sullinger
Ever since 2014, when the Celtics savagely robbed Billy King and the Nets of all they had, there has been a growing sense of excitement mingled with frustration as to when the Celtics would cash in on all their assets, which included high draft picks and cap space.
This summer, they have finally started to turn those assets into living, breathing humans capable of helping them win basketball games. The 3rd overall pick in the draft, Jaylen Brown, looks like he's going to be a major problem for teams on the defensive side of the game. Brown's physical style of play meshes perfectly with a squad that includes Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart and Jae Crowder, three perimeter players who play nasty, all-up-in-your-face defense.
Still only 19-years-old, Brown has much room to hone his offensive skills, which as of now include many face-down plunges toward the basket. Being aggressive yet inefficient is a great sign for young players, since aggression sometimes cannot be taught while efficiency can.
Annnnddd now... the splash of Boston's offseason...the Al Horford signing. Horford taking his talents to Beantown is huge for a city that, albeit an NBA leading 17 championships under its belt, has struggled to reel in the big guns of free agency. Not to dampen the Celtic's mood, (That's exactly what I'm about to do), but they just handed out a four-year max contract to a 30 year old who does not fit in with their timeline and averaged 13.4 points in last year's postseason. Horford literally disappeared in the playoffs; he was way too passive and looked like he could hardly move.
Though the Horford signing was a minor risk, he still brings an invaluable array of skills to a team that desperately needed someone like him. He offers so many intangibles to this Boston team: He is supposedly a steadying presence in the locker room, his doesn't have a big ego, he clears up the team's front court needs, he can pass and shoot and rebound and defend multiple positions...I could go on. Horford, if he can stay healthy, will become such a weapon under Brad Stevens. Just imagine an Isaiah Thomas-Marcus Smart-Avery Bradley-Jae Crowder-Horford lineup to end games.
Horford gives this team what Amir Johnson, Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk cannot. He lets the Celtics go small since he can aptly protect the rim and he also can serve as a fine secondary scorer to the twitchy, quick Isaiah Thomas.
Ainge has build a deep, flexible and young team with many players on super cheap contracts. Horford was his first dip into an established veteran that is making a little more than he's worth. I personally would have loved the deal more if it stretched over three years instead of four, since Horford is going to be 34 by the end of this contract.
This team could contend for first place in the East. They added the 3rd pick in the draft and one of the top 5 free agents without giving up any key players. Not too shabby.
Grade: B+
Draft: Jaylen Brown, Guerschon Yabusele, Ante Zizic, Demetrius Jackson, Ben Bentil, Abdel Nader
Free agency: signed Al Horford
Departures: Evan Turner, Jared Sullinger
Ever since 2014, when the Celtics savagely robbed Billy King and the Nets of all they had, there has been a growing sense of excitement mingled with frustration as to when the Celtics would cash in on all their assets, which included high draft picks and cap space.
This summer, they have finally started to turn those assets into living, breathing humans capable of helping them win basketball games. The 3rd overall pick in the draft, Jaylen Brown, looks like he's going to be a major problem for teams on the defensive side of the game. Brown's physical style of play meshes perfectly with a squad that includes Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart and Jae Crowder, three perimeter players who play nasty, all-up-in-your-face defense.
Still only 19-years-old, Brown has much room to hone his offensive skills, which as of now include many face-down plunges toward the basket. Being aggressive yet inefficient is a great sign for young players, since aggression sometimes cannot be taught while efficiency can.
Annnnddd now... the splash of Boston's offseason...the Al Horford signing. Horford taking his talents to Beantown is huge for a city that, albeit an NBA leading 17 championships under its belt, has struggled to reel in the big guns of free agency. Not to dampen the Celtic's mood, (That's exactly what I'm about to do), but they just handed out a four-year max contract to a 30 year old who does not fit in with their timeline and averaged 13.4 points in last year's postseason. Horford literally disappeared in the playoffs; he was way too passive and looked like he could hardly move.
Though the Horford signing was a minor risk, he still brings an invaluable array of skills to a team that desperately needed someone like him. He offers so many intangibles to this Boston team: He is supposedly a steadying presence in the locker room, his doesn't have a big ego, he clears up the team's front court needs, he can pass and shoot and rebound and defend multiple positions...I could go on. Horford, if he can stay healthy, will become such a weapon under Brad Stevens. Just imagine an Isaiah Thomas-Marcus Smart-Avery Bradley-Jae Crowder-Horford lineup to end games.
Horford gives this team what Amir Johnson, Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk cannot. He lets the Celtics go small since he can aptly protect the rim and he also can serve as a fine secondary scorer to the twitchy, quick Isaiah Thomas.
Ainge has build a deep, flexible and young team with many players on super cheap contracts. Horford was his first dip into an established veteran that is making a little more than he's worth. I personally would have loved the deal more if it stretched over three years instead of four, since Horford is going to be 34 by the end of this contract.
This team could contend for first place in the East. They added the 3rd pick in the draft and one of the top 5 free agents without giving up any key players. Not too shabby.
Grade: B+
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