Analyst sends strong message on job Brad Stevens has done with Boston Celtics
MassLive’s Brian Robb had high praise for the job Brad Stevens has done as Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations — calling him a “man of action” and lauding him for acquiring two of the team’s current starters since taking over in June 2021.
“Brad Stevens has been a man of action since taking over as Celtics president of basketball operations,” Robb prefaced before saying, “He wasted no time in reacquiring Al Horford just days after his elevation but landing the big man may no longer serve as his defining move in Boston. Instead, solidifying the team’s core with Derrick White before the NBA trade market spun out of control is helping the Celtics look as formidable as any contender in the opening week of the NBA Playoffs.”
According to Robb, going all in on a 2021-22 season by acquiring Derrick White at the 2022 NBA trade deadline was a brilliant stroke of foresight for Stevens and the rest of the front office since the team had not won enough to really justify it.
“The Celtics had not given the team’s front office a lot of reason to make a big investment in another addition last year at the trade deadline but striking early has created a team with far more cohesion now,” Robb said.
Boston Celtics gave up less to Spurs for Derrick White than what he is worth now
Robb recognized that the Boston Celtics got a great value for White, who would be worth more on the trade market now than what his value was at the time Stevens and co. acquired him last February.
“If White were on the trade block this year, he would have cost far more than a first round pick and a future pick swap as the main parts of the deal especially when you consider White is still under contract for another three years,” Robb prefaced before saying, “Comparatively, the Spurs got a mid first round pick and two second round picks for an expiring contract this year in Jakob Poeltl. White’s value goes far beyond Poeltl in the postseason based on their track record.”
With the way White has been playing, there’s no need to even ask that hypothetical at this point.