It's been almost five years since Brad Stevens took over as President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics, and in that time, there have been some clear-as-day patterns. What everyone should know by now is that Stevens does not leak intel to the press unless a move he has made has been made or is in the works. Something else that Stevens has done repeatedly is bring back ex-Celtics.
It's actually been years since he's done this, but he has brought back players that Boston once had. It started with re-acquiring Al Horford, then signing Enes Freedom, then re-acquiring Daniel Theis, and finally, bringing back Luke Kornet.
This strategy didn't always work out for the best, but Stevens has shown a fondness for bringing back players once affiliated with the Celtics. He also tried to bring Josh Richardson back in 2023, but Miami scooped him up.
A matter like this would typically be swept under the rug, but it can't be ignored this time because so many Celtics alumni either will or can be free agents this summer. Not to mention the Celtics have the assets to bring them back.
Which Celtics can/will be on the market this summer?
Quite a few notable Celtics alumni will or could hit the market this summer. The list includes Anfernee Simons, Robert Williams III, Kristaps Porzingis, Marcus Smart, and Al Horford.
Almost all of these ex-Celtics have had cases made for their return to Boston and for good reason. Whether their time with the team was short, as with Simons, or long, as with Smart, they left an impression during their time in Boston.
Stevens also has a pretty good track record with his trades, so if he thinks that bringing back any of these former names is worth it, the fans should be all for it. Not every deal he's made has worked out, but even the ones that haven't didn't cost Boston much of anything.
Boston has both a massive TPE from Simons and the non-taxpayers mid-level exception at their disposal (though Stevens can't use both in full). They can also execute sign-and-trades to make any reunion happen if they so choose.
Stevens has rolled that dice before, and it has worked out for the Celtics in the past. Because so many well-known alumni could be had again, don't be surprised if, at the very least, Boston gets mentioned among one or more of their ex-players suitors at one point or another.
It would be difficult to say that bringing them back would suddenly change everything for the Celtics, but it wouldn't be a move anyone would disregard.
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