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Boston Celtics Set up Well for 2017 Free Agency

By Joshua Bateman

Mar 4, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens (center) reacts after a technical foul was called during the second half of a game against the New York Knicks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens (center) reacts after a technical foul was called during the second half of a game against the New York Knicks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Celtics are in a great position for the 2017 free agency class

Kevin Durant has made his announcement and the already historically great 73 win Golden State Warriors team added a consensus top three player in the NBA and that sounds about as close to a death sentence for the rest of the NBA as you can get to. Although, many thought this year’s version of the Warriors was also truly unstoppable. The Boston Celtics made a final push boosted by the addition of Al Horford, but ultimately fell short. That being said, the Celtics are now set up for what may be the greatest free agency class next season.

There is a strong chance that Durant himself will be a free agent once again next year, with the salary cap expected to take another huge leap, all signs are pointing to him declining that second year option with the Warriors and going out and getting his potential $200 million contract.

The best part about next year’s free agency is that if Durant is missed out on, there are plenty of high end players to be targeted and the Celtics will once again have all the space they need. On top of Durant, next year’s free agency is highlighted by Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Giannis Antetokoumpo, Paul Millsap, Rudy Gobert and many others.

The Celtics actually managed to get what most considered the second best free agent this season in Horford and they will be in a much better position to pitch the top free agents next season. The addition of Horford puts the Celtics in a great position to be contenders in the east. They have a long ways to go to catch up to the Cavaliers, but a conference finals appearance along with one of the brightest young cores in the NBA will be one of the most appealing destinations, especially considering the abundance of cap space they will have.

On top of the top 3 pick the Celtics used on Jaylen Brown from the Nets this season, they have another virtual lock at a lottery pick next season. The Nets could be improved, but they may not have added a player as good as the one they lost in Thaddeus Young and that makes another top 3 pick a real possibility for the Celtics.

The Celtics’ youth will also have another year of growth. The Celtics got significantly better by adding a juggernaut in their front court in Al Horford, but they should be able to improve in every other area. The one key player they lost from last season was Evan Turner, but one of the deepest cores of guards in the NBA will have no problem making up for that.

Isaiah Thomas proved last season that he will continue to improve and will certainly adjust his role to better complement his new all star teammate. Marcus Smart is a wild card on the offensive end but any improvement with his shooting is a bonus on top of his already phenomenal defense. Then there is the likes of Terry Rozier and Jordan Mickey who should finally get a significant role this season with some solid upside.

April 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) celebrates with guard Marcus Smart (36) against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11, far right) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Celtics defeated the Warriors 109-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) celebrates with guard Marcus Smart (36) against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11, far right) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Celtics defeated the Warriors 109-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The Celtics did not land Durant, but they are far and away in their best position since they began their rebuild and they continue to have the best collection of assets in the NBA. The Celtics always had the future appeal because of the youth and draft picks collected by Ainge. Now they have to prove that they are good enough to be contenders in the east and they should have no problem signing another top free agent next season.

The appeal of the Celtics next season will be largely determined by their success this season. They need to prove that adding Al Horford gives them the boost to a serious contender in the east and that would be enough to convince a top tier free agent that they will be the difference that makes the Celtics a top title contender.

Missing out on Durant is a tough pill to swallow for the Celtics but this free agency was a true success. They now have more of a balance between win now and prepare for the future and there may not be another team in the NBA that has that kind of ability to win now while continuing to build with the long term in mind.

The Celtics took a big step to becoming contenders this year and their success in the regular season will be the ultimately determining factor in bringing in a top player in one of the most stacked free agency classes ever. Considering the Celtics ended tied for the three seed with a lineup that should be more developed and improved across the board, they need to make sure they separate themselves as a top two team in the eastern conference to get serious attention from the best players in the NBA.

Next: Durant to Golden State, You Can't Blame Ainge

It appeared as though the Celtics were a serious option for Durant this year. If that is the case, their free agency appeal may be the the best in the league next season. That is, of course, if they live up to expectations now that they have added Horford.

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