Boston Celtics: 3 possible starting lineup offseason upgrades

If you go to the Eastern Conference finals one year, then end up being on the losing end of a gentleman’s sweep in the first round of the playoffs after a .500 season the next, it’s fair to say that disappointment is a more than apt description of the latter year. The Boston Celtics sadly fit the above description after a year that was expected to see the team take a leap became one of the saddest seasons in recent memory.

Good vibes finally appeared in 2019-20 after Kyrie Irving was replaced by Kemba Walker and Marcus Morris’ departure gave way for an All-Star leap from Jayson Tatum and near-All-Star leap from Jaylen Brown. Even though Walker and Gordon Hayward dealt with injury issues, the Jays, Marcus Smart, and Daniel Theis somehow kept the team afloat.

Afloat actually underscores the top-5 effort on both ends of the floor the Cs put forth in a season they came within two games of the NBA Finals. They unseated the defending champion Toronto Raptors and swept Joel Embiid out of the playoffs. Life was good.

Now, the head coach and general manager have vacated their roles after another leap from the Jays was squandered on a roster that ultimately proved shallow even after some mid-season posturing at the trade deadline by former GM Danny Ainge.

Said roster needs upgrades this offseason…even the starting lineup.

In fact, there could realistically be a significant improvement at each position. That is, besides those of the Jays. So really only 60% of the lineup. Whatever.

Either way, here are the upgrades HH has in mind: