Boston Celtics: 3 players in NBA Finals Cs should pursue this summer
The Boston Celtics are watching the NBA Finals from the sideline this season, as the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks battle it out for the Larry O’Brien trophy. After a disappointing season, the Cs could use some more experienced players with championship pedigrees on their roster.
Both the Bucks and Suns have run through the injury-riddled gauntlet this postseason, with stars such as Chris Paul and Giannis Antetokounmpo missing crucial time.
However, they’ve made it to the biggest series of the year, with each team relying on their great roster construction.
With the Celtics having a few roster spots up in the air, look for them to pursue upcoming free agents from both of these teams in order to make a championship run of their own.
What do the Boston Celtics need from this year’s free agency class?
Beyond the star power of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the rest of the roster struggled to make anything happen on either side of the ball. The team underwent a big defensive degression compared to previous Brad Stevens teams and failed to produce any offense off the bench.
To help repair those issues, the Boston Celtics will go after reliable options that can play alongside both Tatum and Brown.
Throughout their tenures in Boston, most of the talent around them have been unproven, making it riskier to rely on them in the biggest moments.
With that being said, which of the players in the finals fall into these categories?
Boston Celtics NBA Finals target No. 1) P.J. Tucker
P.J. Tucker was linked to the Celtics all season long, as he expressed interest in getting out of Houston. He ended up being traded to Milwaukee instead, helping shape up their rotation with 3-and-D wings around Giannis.
Tucker is one of the most effective defenders in the league, being able to guard a variety of positions and body types. He was given the main assignment of shadowing Kevin Durant in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and, although KD had an all-time series, he made every shot difficult on him.
On the offensive side of the ball, he practically sits in the corner and shoots spot-up treys, but that’s all he needs to do. He hits them at an extremely efficient rate, draining 39.1 percent of his long-range attempts in Milwaukee this season.
He will be a free agent after this Finals series, with the opportunity to sign anywhere around the league.
At 36 years old, many thought he would be on his last legs as a winning NBA player.
Fortunately, this playoff run has proved otherwise, as he has been a crucial piece to the winning formula in Milwaukee, potentially capturing their first championship since 1971.