This Celtics loss to the 76ers is going to sting for a while after fans had started dreaming of this magical season ending with another banner. But that obviously wasn’t to be, and the front office needs to move on quickly, analyze what went wrong, and figure out how to fix it going forward.
As much as it may not feel that way in the moment, this season was still a success. A lot of players overachieved and proved themselves capable of more than we previously thought. The team got under the tax and created lots of flexibility. And most importantly, Jayson Tatum returned from his injury and looked excellent.
So, it’s okay to call a spade a spade. This turned out to be a gap year. But that’s not the case going forward. With JT back to start next season, it’s championship or bust for the foreseeable future. The roster is good, but it needs to be better.
One tool at the Celtics’ disposal that can be used to add a meaningful piece without sacrificing one is the $27.7 million traded player exception gained by trading Anfernee Simons. They can trade for any player making under that amount next season without matching any of the salary, and that’s a tool that should be used before it expires in February 2027. Here are 6 players that they should be calling about immediately.
1. Trey Murphy III, 26-27: $27m, 27-28: $29m, 28-29: $31m
Murphy would be another elite shooting wing who could be your legitimate third scorer, perhaps even overqualified for the role. He’d round out an incredibly versatile lineup with the Jays that should be able to create mismatches on both ends. The Pelicans will be wont to part with their 25-year-old, 6’8” budding star who averaged 21.5 points per game this year and shoots over 38% from deep, but they’ve entertained the idea before, and Boston could blow them away with draft picks.
2. Jabari Smith Jr., 26-27: $23.6m (first year of 5-year, $122m extension)
Smith hasn’t lived up to the hype after being drafted 3rd overall in 2022, but he has become a really solid player, scoring 15.3 points per game this season and shooting over 36% from deep. At 6’11” and just 22 years old, he can still add to his game and should blossom into a solid two-way player who can play inside and out. The Rockets won’t be in a rush to deal Jabari, but with possible big paydays coming for Amen Thompson, Reed Shepard, and Tari Eason, they may pounce at the opportunity to add picks and save money.
3. Nic Claxton, 26-27: $23.1m, 27-28: $21.9m
Claxton makes perfect sense for Boston as a small-ball five who can switch everything and give them a lot more athleticism at the center position. He has his flaws, doesn’t add a ton on offense, and the contract isn’t great, but he’s probably pretty gettable, wasting away on a rebuilding Nets team, and he’d be a nice addition in the frontcourt alongside Neemias Queta.
4. Cameron Johnson, 26-27: $23.1m
Johnson struggled to fit in with the Nuggets in year one, ending up on the outside of the Jokic/Murray two-man game. But he’s a proven shooting and scoring wing who’s at least capable on the defensive end. The real reason to make this call is that Denver may need to shed Johnson’s salary in order to retain Peyton Watson in restricted free agency, and may be desperate.
5. P.J. Washington, 26-27: $19.8m (first year of 4-year, $90m extension)
6. Daniel Gafford, 26-27: $17.3m, 27-28: $18.1m, 28-29: $19.0m
The Celtics should call the Mavericks and ask about PJ and Gafford. The Mavs are clearly rebuilding around Cooper Flagg, so they may be willing to part with either of these veterans for the right price. Washington is a big wing who can play some small-ball five and space the floor on offense. Gafford is more of an old-fashioned center, but a solid defender and legitimate lob threat. They’d both be great depth pieces in Boston who have shown their mettle in the playoffs.
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