The Boston Celtics were knocked out by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, and they are left with plenty of questions about their future. With both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown due contract extensions, their roster is about to get a lot more expensive and the new second tax apron (subscription required) figures to play a key role in how they build moving forward.
The Celtics should go all-in next season. They are currently $11.4 million below the second apron with the contract of Grant Williams to sort out. Boston could trade Malcolm Brogdon or Derrick White to free up some space, but they will not be able to replicate their depth after their two stars are both on supermax contracts.
It appears the Suns are moving on from Chris Paul, and the Celtics should certainly be interested. They would love to add a facilitator to unlock things around Tatum and Brown, but can Boston land CP3?
Ranking Celtics among 8 teams that should pursue Chris Paul immediately
8. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls desperately need a point guard as Lonzo Ball appears set to miss a second straight season with a knee injury. Chicago is eager to re-sign Nikola Vucevic to try to stay in contention, despite missing the playoffs in five of the last six years.
They would love to bring CP3 to the Windy City to organize the offense for Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, but the future Hall of Famer will want to play for a contender. Teams can only expect 60 games out of Paul at this point in his career, but he is still a productive point guard with an elite basketball IQ.
The Bulls may make the playoffs with a healthy Chris Paul, but they would not be on par with the Celtics, Bucks, 76ers, and Heat in the East.
Assuming Chicago quickly falls off the list, could Chris Paul return to one of his former teams next season?