Boston Celtics Have a Lot of Freedom to Take Risks
The Boston Celtics are in an incredible position where they do not have to worry about taking the kind of risks that would otherwise be potentially detrimental in a different situation. Draft picks, cap space and a coach that will get something out of any talent allows them to accommodate risky plays, that may wind up transforming the franchise in the future.
The youth they have right now could make the Celtics one of the most improved teams in the league next year, and they have more opportunities than anyone else to get more talent. In addition to 8 draft picks, including three in the first round, the Celtics have all the cap space they need to sign multiple max contracts.
The Celtics already have all kinds of cap space and with a $12 million team option with Amir Johnson, there is a good chance the Celtics will get even more space to play around with. On top of the fact that the Celtics will not have to hesitate when it comes to offering the top free agency players a max contract, they also have an opportunity to overpay for players that they believe in.
With Kevin Durant likely to stay with the Thunder, this year’s free agency class lacks a lot of transformative top end talent. That being said, there are more than enough options for the Celtics and if they believe in a player they will not have to hesitate because of their cap situation.
Especially in their front court, the Celtics need to make drastic improvements and they have the freedom to explore more options than most teams. Even if the Celtics miss and over pay for a lesser free agent, their glaring holes in the front court ensure that even if a player does not live up to expectations they can still improve the team.
Similar to what they did with Johnson last year, the Celtics afford to throw around extra money in order to figure out if they can find that lower free agent that breaks out. If the Celtics miss, then they can feel reassured that they did not miss out because cap restrictions. The Celtics have a great luxury in all their options this offseason, and the worst thing would be to not explore enough of those options.
While the Celtics have that freedom to take risks in free agency, it is much more important that they are not overly cautious in the draft. If the Celtics have bigger free agency plans for future years and want to make sure their cap situation remains ideal until they find their perfect match, then they need to be even more aggressive in their draft.
The Celtics need players that can contribute on day one but the number one priority needs to remain the potential. Other than Jordan Mickey, the Celtics have no high end potential in their front court, and that needs to change quickly. The Celtics want to get their transcendent talent through free agency, but the reality of the situation is that they will have more opportunities to get that talent developed through the draft. Their back court still needs improvement, but with Isaiah Thomas being their best player and plenty of young talent behind him, the Celtics need to focus on the front court.
The Celtics cannot shy away from players that may be a project and they have proven that they have no problem letting their rookies spend time in the D League before they are ready. The reason the Celtics need to be even more aggressive in the draft is that, more so than any other team, the Celtics can afford to miss, and have the assets to recover from some of those risks not paying off.
Eight draft picks is unprecedented and if the Celtics miss out on a player that they thought could develop into something special, they will still have other options. The Celtics have done a masterful job of making sure they have more than enough options in the draft and they do not need every pick to be perfect in order to have a good draft.
The number one reason the Celtics can afford to take risks with the abundance of options they have this offseason is Brad Stevens. He has proven that he will always get the most out of his talent and even if the Celtics overpay on a free agent, or make too big of a reach in the draft, Stevens will ensure that they get something out of anything.
No matter what the Celtics do this offseason, they will be increasing their talent level. Stevens will have the best tools at his disposal in his time with the Celtics and, even if their risks do not pay off, he will make sure they continue to improve.
Stevens has also proven that he will not continue to force play a player that is hurting the team simply because the Celtics invested in them. David Lee is a great example of a player that was brought in to have a key role. Once the Celtics realized that he was not the player they needed him to be they did not waste any more time on him.
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The Celtics have already collected the options they need, they have shown a willingness to accept their mistakes and they have a coach that will make the most out of any talent that he is given. The Celtics have all the freedom and security they need to take risks, and potentially get the talent that they need in order to be a true contender this offseason.