In a season like this one, even though there are still four games remaining on the schedule, it’s hard not to think about what next season is going to look like for the Boston Celtics.
2020-21 has been so far from kind to the Cs, who have now fallen two games behind the Miami Heat for the #6 seed following a 130-124 loss that was far less than competitive than the score would indicate.
Yesterday’s loss was a gut punch that may have pulled back the veil on this season’s struggles. Beating Miami was one of the only things Boston had going for it this season, considering their series losses to Atlanta, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia with the latter two being series sweeps.
The Cs have one more game against the Heat and Knicks each, with Miami possibly ending their hopes at the #6 seed tomorrow night and New York potentially sending them down to the #8 seed if the Charlotte Hornets could somehow navigate their difficult final stretch to the season.
At least they have proven capable of beating Milwaukee if they can somehow earn a 2019 playoff rematch.
Pessimism is (clearly) high around the winningest Eastern Conference franchise in NBA history, but not for the long-term. This season shall pass. And once it does? Boston will once again be a team with one of the brightest futures when the dust is settled this season.
Which Boston Celtics will be here next season when it does? Hardwood Houdini believes these 5 Cs will be on the roster in 2021-22:
Boston Celtics SF/PF Jayson Tatum
Amidst a season of darkness, Jayson Tatum has been the brightest light of hope for this franchise. Even though the payroll is bloated, as long as there is a game-shifting superstar like Tatum in tow, a turnaround is possible any given season.
Other stars will always consider Boston as long as he is around. Few players can do the things he does on the floor like say engineer a 29-point halftime comeback with a 60-point effort in an overtime win.
Tatum is having a historical season. He’s the first Celtic to ever score 50 points on multiple occasions, and the hopes making any deep run in the playoffs begins and ends with him being the best player on the floor for either team.
Boston Celtics SG/SF Jaylen Brown
Much like Tatum, the All-Star Jaylen Brown will be instrumental in reeling in one more big fish to the Boston Celtics pond. Considering the declining health of Kemba Walker, Brown’s ascension has come at a pivotal time for the franchise.
After losing Kyrie Irving and Al Horford in free agency, having Walker off the floor so much could have been damning for the team the past two seasons. Instead, Brown’s play as the #2 star in Beantown brought them to the Eastern Conference finals last season and has had them as high as the #4 seed even during a down-year.
Boston Celtics C Robert Williams
The Time Lord was called Jayson Tatum’s favorite Celtic to play with, so his future in Boston seems pretty secure unless Danny Ainge wants to upset his best player.
Robert Williams has risen to starter status this season following the Daniel Theis trade to the Chicago Bulls and the underwhelming play of Ainge’s biggest offseason splash, former NBA Champion Tristan Thompson.
His health question marks may actually hamper his trade value enough to keep him over any return package Ainge could get for him.
Boston Celtics SF Aaron Nesmith
Until recently, Aaron Nesmith seemed like an expendable recent lottery pick that can be used to spruce up a deal for a veteran.
Now? Celtics fans would revolt if Nesmith was dealt after fueling a recent winning surge with his doggedness on the hardwood.
Nesmith dropped another 16-point game, his third in the last 10 days, against Miami yesterday and shot 5/9 from the field and 2/5 from deep. His cost-controlled contributions could make the decision to part with Marcus Smart this offseason an easier one should the right offer come around.
Boston Celtics PG Payton Pritchard
Finally, there’s Payton Pritchard, the C’s late first-rounder that has risen to the level of full-time backup floor general in his rookie season. Pritchard came onto the scenes guns blazing in 2020-21, and has had a few double-digit scoring outings as of late to round out what has been a pleasant rookie year for the Oregon product.
While Pritchard may not be ready for a starting role just yet, the potential for him to one day be makes any Kemba Walker trade easier to consider.