The Boston Celtics must find a stretch five to lean into head coach Joe Mazzulla’s desire to play five out and maximize their 3-point attempts. Boston averaged a league high 46.1 3-point attempts per game in the playoffs, but they shot just 27.4 percent in their four losses as the 76ers pulled a first round upset. Mazzulla had no issues with the shots, so Brad Stevens and the front office must give him the right pieces to embrace his style.
No team took more threes than Boston’s 40.2 per game during their 2024 title run. The system brought the Celtics a championship, and Mazzulla isn’t going anywhere. The head coach won that title with Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis playing center. Boston needs that stretch five to maximize the impact of 'Mazzulla Ball'.
The Celtics can’t run it back with Neemias Queta and Nikola Vucevic. That duo isn’t good enough. Queta doesn’t space the floor, and Vucevic’s defense is a problem in the playoffs. Boston can’t rely on bringing back Al Horford either. Stevens must acquire a stretch five this summer to put the Cs back into title contention.
Celtics must add a stretch 5 to maximize their title chances
Having a non-shooter on the floor makes things easier for the opposition. Boston wants to drive and kick. Having a center occupying the dunker spot crowds the paint, but the defense won’t respect Queta on the perimeter. It puts Mazzulla in a tricky spot trying to maximize a player who doesn’t fit the scheme.
Trading for Vucevic made sense. He is a stretch five, but the 35-year-old is past his prime and wasn’t a plus defender in his best years. Mazzulla even tried Luka Garza in the playoffs to get that shooting, but his defense was too problematic. The Celtics can’t have a gaping defensive hole in the middle if they are going to play smaller at the other four positions. Boston needs a rebounder and rim protection that can space the floor.
The title team was the perfect build to fit how Joe Mazzulla wants to play. They had floor spacers at every position and a deep roster of unselfish players. Those Celtics analytically looked to maximize every shot and played stout defense. Stevens has to remember that as he attempts to retool this summer.
Finding a stretch five isn’t easy. There are not many big men who can protect the rim, rebound, and space the floor. They can’t rely on Horford or Porzingis leaving the Bay Area. Stevens wouldn’t shy away from a reunion, but Boston needs a new center to anchor their defense. The Celtics can’t rely on Vucevic. They will have to get creative to acquire this option, and Brad Stevens can't be counted out. He has proven to be an elite roster builder and will plug this hole.
Joe Mazzulla is obsessed with playing his style. The Celtics are going to shoot a ton of threes, look to get into the paint, and play stout defense. They won a championship doing it, and it is all the 37-year-old head coach knows. Keeping Mazzulla means giving him a roster that fits his style.
Brad Stevens is on the clock. He is no stranger to making bold moves. The Boston Celtics need a stretch five before the 2026-27 season starts. Stay tuned to see what the front office can do.
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