As underwhelming as the Boston Celtics have played this season, there are no apparent major changes on the horizon.
Danny Ainge secured the returns of his two most prominent players and his head coach on Tuesday–coincidentally right before my blockbuster trade package to land Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal was published–to reporters.
To the chagrin of some prominent Boston media members, the Jays and the only coach they have ever had in the NBA will return.
Boston Celtics radio personality Adam Kaufman relayed as such in a tweet containing a link to the Boston Globe’s story:
Danny Ainge told @Dan_Shaughnessy that he, Brad Stevens, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown will all still be part of the #Celtics next season. This shouldn't surprise (or disappoint) you, but in case you were curious... https://t.co/8orO0upg5S
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) May 17, 2021
Notably absent from his declaration are Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart. The pair played with the Jays for Team USA in the FIBA World Championship team in 2019 and finished in seventh despite being coached by NBA legend Gregg Popovich.
Walker and Smart have not delivered this season but to varying degrees. Smart’s health prevented him from playing for much of the second half of the season, and his shot has just not fallen even after returning. Walker, on the other hand, wasn’t active until January and struggled mightily at first before settling in. Even still, he never participated in both nights of any back-to-backs despite collecting the highest salary on the team.
HH has anticipated the Cs shopping Smart and Walker before their respective forays into 2022 free agency (though Walker can opt-in to his 2022-23 player option), but Ainge not guaranteeing their returns should indicate an active summer on the trade market this summer for the front office.
Just don’t expect Tatum or Brown’s name to come up.
And don’t expect Stevens’ seat to set ablaze no matter what happens in the next few weeks.