Boston Celtics: 3 Atlantic Division offseason rumors

You gotta know the enemy. What is the scuttlebutt of what’s going to happen this offseason for the Boston Celtics’ Atlantic Division rivals?

The Atlantic Division’s two perennial powerhouses will do battle this coming Thursday as the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors kick off their Eastern Conference semifinals matchup in what appears to be an evenly matched series between two of the top five teams in the association…even with injuries to Gordon Hayward and Kyle Lowry.

That one of these teams won’t be in the conference finals speaks to the strength of the east in 2020. Both squads have a legitimate argument for being better than the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, who have shown serious faults in the postseason so far.

Regardless, the league’s strongest division–one that made up half of the playoff field in the east this year (LOL Knicks)–is one that has been heavily involved in the rumor mill as of late.

Here are 3 Atlantic Division offseason rumors:

1. Lue being mentioned as possible 76ers head coach replacement

After being swept off the hardwood by the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia wasted no time relieving Brett Brown of his duties as head coach of the Sixers. As we know, the NBA news cycle moves at a rapid pace, and his vacancy already has candidates with championship experience.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, there is “mutual interest” between Philly and Ty Lue to replace Brown as the figurehead of the 76ers. Lue has had experience coaching a volatile locker room in Cleveland, managing the egos of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, which should give him a fighting chance managing the Ben Simmons–Joel Embiid duo.

2. Popovich is the desired HC target for the Brooklyn Nets

It seems sacrilege to imagine Gregg Popovich manning the sidelines for any organization other than the San Antonio Spurs. Then again, Tom Brady is a Tampa Bay Buccaneer now and Russell Westbrook is on the Houston Rockets, so sports sanctity a thing of the past.

The Nets want to continue to ruin our childhoods by swaying Popovich away from his home of over two decades and bring the Team USA coach to Brooklyn to lead Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving while serving as a liaison to general manager Sean Marks.

3. New York Knicks are one of the teams in pursuit of VanVleet

After the season–and postseason–Fred VanVleet is having, it’s not a shock that many are bullish on his market this upcoming offseason when he hits free agency. Averaging career-highs across the board and thriving in his first season as a starter, the Wichita State product is sure to collect a handsome payday this offseason.

Of course, that means franchises like the New York Knicks are interested. New York, forever stuck between rebuilding and a quick fix, are among a handful of teams (including the Phoenix Suns and Detroit Pistons) looking to move the needle in 2020-21.