Boston Celtics: The case for and against building around Brown and Tatum

The case for keeping core in-tact

I mean, the Boston Celtics did just come within two games of the NBA Finals. Is this thing really in need of blowing up just yet?

In 2019-20, the Cs were a top-five finisher in both offensive and defensive efficiency and possessed three 20+ point per game scorers. While they are flawed, perhaps full-scale changes aren’t yet necessary.

Bringing in a superstar to complete the Brown-Tatum trifecta might not bring the immediate results fans would be hoping for. Kyrie Irving’s presence and the team’s performance without him when he was a Celtic are pretty convincing talking points for the anti-star crowd.

Even whatever roster issues you feel the Cs have, there are less extreme means of improving than blockbuster trades involving core members of the team. Three incoming draft picks, the mid-level exception, and an attractive culture for winning should be enough to fill some holes on the roster.

Next season’s Eastern Conference figures to be improved with the addition of a Kevin Durant-led superteam in Brooklyn and health for other top dogs like Miami, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia–teams that were hit with injuries in the bubble.

Perhaps continuity, or smaller scale trades that don’t involve detonating their core, are the way forward for the Boston Celtics.

Verdict: Don’t nuke the core…yet