The demise of the Clippers over the past few months has been quite a wild ride, and nobody is watching the situation more closely than the Celtics. In trading Jaylen Brown to the 76ers, Boston acquired a 2028 first-round pick swap with the Clippers, an asset that has become more and more valuable by the day.
This is a team that failed to make the playoffs last season and has since lost Kawhi Leonard, been stripped of five first-round picks, seen their owner and president of basketball operations get suspended, discovered a partially torn Achilles for Brandon Ingram, and more.
The organization seems like a sinking ship for all the world to watch, and while it’s hard to prey on the downfall of others, it’s undeniably great news for the Celtics, as that 2028 swap has become one of the juiciest assets to change hands in recent memory.
Garland claims "vibe is immaculate" for Clippers
Yet despite all that, their star point guard Darius Garland seems completely unfazed by the noise, saying at media day, “The vibe is immaculate right now”.
Garland went on to say that he thinks the Clippers are going to shock a lot of people this season and raved about the chemistry, camaraderie, and competitive spirit of the group. I appreciate the confidence and candor from Garland. He’s in a very tough spot, and there’s no real positive spin for him to go with.
What is he supposed to do? Talk about how the team is completely screwed, and he can’t believe he’s stuck in what’s shaping up to be a never-ending rebuild? Of course he is going to take this route; he’s now the leader of the team and their best player and, for better or worse, somehow the face of the franchise.
It’s his job to put on a brave face, and that’s what he did. If I were a Clippers fan, I’d be proud of Garland and glad to have him in my corner, representing the franchise in one of its darkest hours.
Celtics' 2028 pick swap looking like a juicy asset
But as a Celtics fan, all I can do is laugh. Poor Darius. I’m sorry, but I find it extremely difficult to believe that the vibe around the team is immaculate right now. If anything, it’s likely extremely awkward and uncomfortable with all of the recent changes and question marks. The future is completely uncertain, and it’s hard to know who will even be calling the shots or what the long-term plan could possibly be.
You’d have to think that almost anything is on the table for this franchise and that nobody is safe. Things are bad, and they’re likely only going to get worse. Again, it’s great news for the Celtics, and fans should look forward to watching this team struggle and the value of their 2028 pick getting better and better.
In Boston, the vibes are actually immaculate right now. It feels like this roster is as deep as ever, and there is real fit and connectivity between the players. Add a potential top pick to the equation, and it’s hard not to be excited about the bright future for the Celtics.
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