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Boston Celtics: Continuity more important than small needs in free agency

By Joshua Bateman

BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Aron Baynes #46 is assisted off the floor by teammate Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 23, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Aron Baynes #46 is assisted off the floor by teammate Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 23, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Boston Celtics are better off establishing continuity than attempting to fix small needs through free agency

With their current cap situation, the Boston Celtics know that they cannot be big players in free agency. There are always going to be ways to improve the team, but the Celtics need to focus their priorities, and that should mean a very quiet free agency.

The Celtics are a team that is ready to contend, but they are not without their holes. They do not have the best front court depth, and have no traditional size at all. They are going to be pushing their versatility further than ever before, and there will be times when things might break down, and expose some weaknesses.

The Celtics certainly still have some needs, but there is no point in getting caught up trying to get the magical fix from free agency. Keep in mind, there really are small needs. The Celtics are in a position where they could end up hurting themselves if they are trying to pick and plug minimum players in free agency.

Brad Stevens has been a master at hiding some of the shortcomings of his roster. Next season, those issues are going to be insignificant compared to previous seasons. The Celtics are much better off trying to find a way to make it work with the players they are comfortable with, rather than hoping they can get an impact free agent for dirt cheap.

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The Celtics are finally going to have some continuity this summer, and it should be fun seeing what Stevens is able to get out of his roster with a full offseason with the same core. The Celtics do not want to threaten anything anyone on this roster is doing, no matter who they might be looking into getting in free agency.

Keep in mind, this does not mean the Celtics have nothing to do in free agency. Both Marcus Smart and Aron Baynes‘ contracts are up, and they should be the focus in free agency this summer. Both of them have proven that they can be a part of the identity of this team, and both of them are fully invested in what this team wants to do.

The Celtics are already running out of minutes to give out in the rotation, and there are question marks about whether or not Robert Williams will be able to get enough in his rookie season. If you add on some low tier free agency, the Celtics will be adding more clutter, and will make it more difficult for their active core to be as comfortable as possible.

With Smart and Baynes, the Celtics know they do not have to integrate them. They know exactly what they need to do for this team, and getting that continuity from last season will help everyone around him.

The Celtics know they have issues that need to be addressed, but they need to try and fix those issues with the tools they already have, because they will not get a significant answer with how much money they will be able to spend in free agency.

Next: Robert Williams impact on free agency

The Celtics will certainly be looking around, and will try to find that cheap gem, or maybe even another overseas options. Right now, however, it is much more important for the Celtics to establish as much continuity and chemistry going into the season, and that could mean all they will do is bring back the players who have proven their worth to this team already.

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