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Boston Celtics: recent moves show faith in current core

By Joshua Bateman

BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: Aron Baynes #46 and Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics high-five during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 15, 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 15: Aron Baynes #46 and Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics high-five during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 15, 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 showing how much they believe in this core with their minor offseason moves

The Boston Celtics still have to make their biggest decision when free agency starts for Marcus Smart, but they have wasted no time solidifying their roster for the coming season. It was reported that they are expected to bring Aron Baynes back, and they have given another roster spot to Brad Wanamaker.

While the Celtics still have some flexibility, these quick and minor moves are making it clear that the Celtics will not be big players in free agency. The Celtics have problems that need to be fixed on the team, but everything so far has suggested that the Celtics are not going to try and solve those problems with outside help.

The Celtics have a truly special core of players, and the organization has been showing the utmost faith in them so far. They clearly believe in Brad Stevens’ ability to get everything they need from this current core of players.

Even if Smart is not brought back, I would not expect anything significant to take his place. When you look for outside free agents, there is always a greater risk of overpaying, and not getting what you need out of the players.

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With Baynes and with Smart, the Celtics know what they will be getting, and they know how important they can be to this core. Wanamaker is also taking up a roster spot while not threatening anything with the current core.

He is so cheap that he will not stop them from paying anyone currently on the team, and giving him that roster spot suggests the Celtics believe in the rest of the roster’s ability to be successful if he does not work out, and end up warming the bench all season long.

After the complete turnover of last season, it is refreshing to see the Celtics establishing the continuity, and trusting what they have worked so hard to build. The Celtics saw what a special team this was last season, and they clearly deserve an opportunity with all these pieces together.

The Celtics can reinforce things off the bench, but the fact that they are filling the roster quick, while not having any truly serious trade talks, suggests they want to save all the money they have for these players currently on the team.

If the Celtics bring Smart back, then they are entirely in tact, with Robert Williams and Wanamaker being the only additions. If they do not bring Smart back, I would expect something very cheap to take that roster spot, while the Celtics save that money for future contracts.

They have some time with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, but spending significant money this offseason could threaten Terry Rozier‘s situation next off season. The Celtics have put in all the difficult work, and have assembled all the pieces they need to win a championship.

Next: Lack of bad contracts paying off

The best indication that this rebuild is finally at the culmination, is that they do not look interested in anything significant outside the team, while putting all their faith and money in the players that have made the present and the future so promising.

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