This offseason for the Boston Celtics has heated up this past week due to a flurry of moves from President of Basketball Operations, Brad Stevens.
They’ve traded Tristan Thompson in a three-team deal to the Sacramento Kings for Kris Dunn and a 2023 second-round pick and swapped Moses Brown for Josh Richardson all in the span of 24-hours.
These moves highlight the desire the Celtics have to compete next season, but owner Wyc Grousbeck may hold them back.
I applaud Brad Stevens for the moves he has made thus far in his new gig as he is getting established veterans that can help the team win now. He is showing the urgency that shamrocks fans expect after a first-round loss to the Brooklyn Nets in the playoffs.
Despite this, the C’s summer could become a disappointment if they fail to re-sign guard Evan Fournier.
Contract talks have reportedly stalled with Fournier and, according to Mark Murphy, they are “unwilling to meet” his asking price of $20 million per year.
The contract that Evan Fournier is seeking is four years, $80 million, which is a hefty price.
Even with this, however, the Boston Celtics should be doing this deal whether it’s for two years or four.
In 26 games with the franchise, Fournier averaged 13 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 45.6 percent from deep on 125 attempts in the regular season and postseason.
He is the scoring threat that Boston must consider re-signing.
The problem with re-upping with Fournier, however, is that it would put the Celtics over the luxury tax, which is something the team has been unwilling to do in recent seasons.
I think Wyc Grousbeck needs to change his ways and open up to the idea of paying the tax this season.
The Boston Celtics have two young stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, both of whom are ready to compete for a championship.
Re-signing Evan Fournier would make thrust them much closer to once again being viewed as a contender, especially if they add more veterans to the bench.
In today’s NBA, most teams who are contenders pay the luxury tax, so I think Wyc Grousbeck needs to adjust his philosophy if the Celtics are going to compete for a chip.
The Boston Celtics are a premier franchise in the NBA, and they need to start acting like it.
They have one championship in the last 35 years, which is unacceptable. Wyc Grousbeck needs to show urgency this offseason for Boston to achieve their goal of attaining banner No. 18.