Boston Celtics fans should be prepared for the team to be conservative for the final stretch of the regular season and into the offseason unless catastrophe strikes in the playoffs.
As the NBA’s transaction window opens, teams around the league are set to posture for postseason position and potentially bolster their lineups in the event that injury or a positive coronavirus test forces them to find a replacement in a pinch. Even though there are several free agents on the market, though, the Boston Celtics are likely to rely on what they have during the NBA’s resumption rather than try to spice things up.
DeMarcus Cousins was one name that seemed intriguing for the C’s to add a high-ceiling, low-cost frontcourt body. Mixed reports have come out about whether or not he will sign with a team now or rest and rehab until the 2020-21 season. Either way, a union with the former All-NBA second-teamer seems all but out the window.
Potential reunions with the likes of Isaiah Thomas and Gerald Green loom as possibilities, but again, the Celtics may be better off with the guys that have helped contribute to their current 43-21 third place in the Eastern Conference position than by trying to capture lightning in a bottle again with a return for either of the volume scorers.
After sitting out the trade deadline, Danny Ainge seems unlikely to tinker with his roster too much before getting a chance to see how his supporting players support his core in the trenches. Things could change, and there are options. It just wouldn’t seem consistent with his moves in 2019-20.
As the Los Angeles Lakers (J.R. Smith), Houston Rockets (David Nwaba) and Sacramento Kings (Corey Brewer) make additions before the Lake Buena Vistas bubble opens up in Walt Disney World, the C’s will be waiting in the grass with their attack plans already in place.