The Boston Celtics are heading for positionless basketball, and the Avery Bradley trade is a big step in that direction
In an NBA off season already defined by trades and player movement, the Boston Celtics followed suit by dealing scoring guard Avery Bradley to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Marcus Morris. It stings to lose a defender and shooter of Bradley’s caliber. However, the move signifies a larger plan for the Celtics present roster construction.
As the transition toward smaller lineups continues, head coach Brad Stevens has developed his own philosophy on roster construction. Above all else, Stevens values versatility. This year Boston is doubling down by accumulating as many forwards as possible.
"“I don’t have the five positions anymore,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “It may be as simple as three positions now, where you’re either a ball-handler, a wing or a big.”"
Viewing their moves through this lens, Boston pursues forwards to fit this model. Bradley is a versatile, two-way player, and an elite defender. But Stevens idea of positionless basketball is in lineups with multiple forwards who can switch 2-4.
Bradley is stuck between roles in this roster model. He is unable handle the ball full-time and initiate the offense. Despite his threat as an off ball shooter, he is not large enough to be a modern full spectrum wing. This ultimately resulted in the decision to send the 8-year veteran to Detroit.
"Danny Ainge’s vision for Boston echoes this idea as well."
Beyond the finances, Boston felt Bradley hindered their ability to keep up with the Association’s elite teams.
Organizations target shooting and switching, as the rest of the league tries to compete with the reigning champions. This season, the pace-and-space principles will likely be pushed another step further. Teams will be shooting more threes, and taking another step away from the basket.
The Celtics follow this pattern by appearing comfortable playing small for larger stretches of the game. With Morris in the fold, he and Crowder can spend time at power forward.
However, trading a 6’3″ shooting guard for another wing lets the Celtics defense become more dynamic and flexible. It is unfair to point to Bradley’s stature as a sole motivator for the trade. But the Celtics are want play a larger wing to gain a defensive advantage.
In the modern NBA, defenders guards forwards and bigs far away from the basket. Slotting a forward like Jaylen Brown into Bradley’s spot gives the Celtics the defensive versatility to better match up with the Warriors and Cavaliers. In this hypothetical series, Bradley, despite his defensive reputation, cannot contest shots as easily as a larger player.
Next: The Boston Celtics Are Loaded With Wings
Stevens model gives Boston the ability to compete in 2017 and beyond. While the move is not ideal, the vision is clear, and Boston is poised to be one of the league’s deepest and most versatile teams.