Boston Celtics: 2 key takeaways from C’s recent trades

The other day the Boston Celtics came out firing after a relatively quiet draft night, acquiring Josh Richardson and Kris Dunn for Tristan Thompson and their remaining Gordon Hayward trade exception. Wyc Grousbeck had said earlier in the summer that the Boston Celtics would get busy later in the offseason; it was only a matter of time before Brad Stevens started making moves.

After going .500 and getting bounced in the first round, it’s a good thing that the Cs have been active this offseason, and it’s an even better thing that they are signaling this is just the beginning.

For the first time in a long time, the Boston Celtics seem to have a vision. Ever since Danny Ainge traded Isaiah Thomas and assets to the Cavaliers for Kyrie Irving, the Cs have lacked a sense of direction, and it’s led to them scrambling every offseason as they let marquee free agents slip through their fingers.

Not moving any of the team’s bench pieces after the 2018 playoffs, not moving anyone at the 2019 deadline, maxing Kemba Walker and not filling out the roster, standing pat at the 2020 deadline, and drawing the Hayward talks out to the end of the offseason. Hence, they missed every good free agent; all pointed to a lack of direction from Ainge.

It was good that the Celtics and Ainge mutually parted ways, and it’s even better given that Stevens is doing what Ainge couldn’t. Let’s look at what the Boston Celtics are specifically planning and how these moves indicate that something big is brewing.