To come this far to maybe fall so hard would be a heartbreak that Boston Celtics fans may need the entire summer to process.
While Boston has knocked off the defending champions and swept the team that knocked them out of last year’s playoffs in five games, there is still the possibility (one that seems strong right now) that Banner 18 isn’t in the cards in 2022.
It still can be, but the Houdini would be lying to you if it was said that the confidence level in this Cs squad is what it was before Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
It’s clear that there are issues in need of addressing for Boston, with defense somehow being a question mark despite a 106.9 defensive rating in 2021-22. That was tied with the Golden State Warriors for the league’s best mark, but the Celtics have had a recent history of overperforming in the regular season and setting up fans for failure in the postseason when it matters most.
Given what we’ve seen from Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens so far in his new role, it’s possible another major shakeup could be in store if this team is deemed not good enough.
According to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, the Cs should already have a blockbuster offseason target in mind: Malcolm Brogdon. As Buckley explains, the club’s play-making :
"If the Celtics could stomach Brogdon’s health risks, they could get major mileage out of him. He could further elevate this club’s playmaking and is just as potent off the ball, meaning he wouldn’t step on the toes of the Jays or Marcus Smart. Brogdon’s defense could make him a favorite of coach Ime Udoka, and Brogdon’s experience could allow for a smooth transition into the locker room."
Here’s two ways the Cs could make such a deal work this offseason: