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Boston Celtics: A 6-step plan to achieve the perfect offseason

By Dallas Malloy

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 26: Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Boston Celtics during a game at the Smoothie King Center on January 26, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 26: Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Boston Celtics during a game at the Smoothie King Center on January 26, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

The Boston Celtics just completely flipped the front office. It’s a fair question to ask what could possibly next this offseason.

So we ask…

As we all know, the 2020-21 NBA season was not an easy one for the Boston Celtics. It was littered with injury, lack of effort, the questioning of our very own building blocks. And then it all ended.

It ended with a gentleman’s sweep to the team who we “fleeced” for picks eight years ago. It was the perfect bittersweet ending to the Danny Ainge-era. An era of some joy, but largely a disappointment.

Red Auerbach coached and managed 14 different title runs in under 30 years. Jan Volk oversaw a pair of title runs in 10 years…and then for Danny “trader” Ainge, it was just one title in 18 years. Albeit, it’s more than most GMs, or even teams.

But it’s not the Boston Celtics way.

Whether you like it or not, it’s the Brad Stevens era for the foreseeable future. Brad has a clean slate, no one will deny an offer just because he is Brad, as they may have done with Ainge.

So, what can Stevens do now? What options does he have with a team facing the tax apron? With hard-to-deal contracts like Kemba Walker, it won’t be easy. But here is the dream off-season that the Cs just may be able to pull off.

Boston Celtics say goodbye to Kemba, and hello to an old friend

With Kemba Walker, there are few routes to go. You can keep him, deal with his injuries and probably be disappointed again, or deal him to a few possible spots. The Mavericks may be willing to do a Porzingis-Walker swap. The Knicks may be willing to eat his contract if/when they whiff on a free-agent star.

However, the best move I can foresee for Walker is Bringing Big Al’ back home to Boston, in exchange for the former All-Star PG and a future first.

Al didn’t play all too much in OKC, but not due to injury. He was giving the young guns their time to shine, the ultimate team player move. He’s a noteworthy leader, and always solid on the court.

As a big who has transformed to the modern game, he can score at all three levels fairly efficiently, defend multiple positions, and facilitate. He does this all without being a high usage player, averaging an 18.9% usage rate since he left Atlanta.

A Horford-Boston reunion sounds all too perfect and might be just the consistency this front-court needs.

On the flip side, OKC gets a solid PG—when healthy—to pair next to their star in Gilgeous-Alexander. Walker adds a bit of veteran leadership and presence to a team definitely lacking that. With the addition of whatever top three pick the Thunder get…they could have themselves their own big 3.

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