Boston Celtics: Marquee offseason addition doesn’t blame old team for going in younger direction

What made the Boston Celtics offseason such a success — well, such a success before unraveling in September — was the lack of any sacrificing of the team’s core to improve from an Eastern Conference finals roster.

TPMLE signing Danilo Gallinari isn’t likely to step onto the floor at any point during the 2022-23 regular season, but if they could get a Willis Reed-type moment in the postseason, that’d be gravy. Ime Udoka’s suspension for the entire season could be a positive if Joe Mazzulla can keep this group as disciplined as they were from January 2022 and on.

In terms of an addition that hasn’t involved a loss of any kind thus far, Malcolm Brogdon’s trade from the Indiana Pacers for spare parts and a single draft pick has been the biggest blessing for the Boston Celtics.

Brogdon opened up after an October 12 practice about being traded from the Pacers, the first team he was able to choose as a professional, saying that Indiana going in a different direction is a decision he is at peace with ahead of the season’s opening tip-off on October 18 (h/t NESN):

"“It was probably when we started rebuilding last year. I felt like the team, the organization was moving in a different direction, going a little bit younger — which teams are doing nowadays. You can’t fault Indiana for that. Cause we weren’t having the level of success that granted, to keep all your guys. So, at that point, I think the front office and I thought it was best to maybe find a contender for me. … Indiana did me very well. They did a good job behind me.”"

The biggest loss in the Malcolm Brogdon trade for the Boston Celtics

As has been the case over the past several seasons, the Boston Celtics find themselves in need of big man depth after trading most of it away in the Malcolm Brogdon trade. Funny enough, Brad Stevens may have made a mistake his predecessor Danny Ainge made right before handing him the reins to the franchise: trading away Daniel Theis.

While Theis was deemed unplayable against the Golden State Warriors during the 2022 NBA Finals, what he provided off the pine is exactly what the front office is currently looking for in the frontcourt. While Mfiondu Kabengele or Noah Vonleh could end up pitching in what Theis did for a fraction of the price, Theis’ absence once again creates a need for the exact role he fills.