Something that is undeniable about Joe Mazzulla since taking over as the Boston Celtics head coach is that he manages to bring the best out of players no one really thought much of. In fact, there's been quite a few success stories under Mazulla in the four years he's called the shots from the sidelines. You know who used to do that? Brad Stevens.
Before Mazzulla turned around the careers of Derrick White, Luke Kornet, and Sam Hauser, among others, Stevens had a similar impact on the likes of Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, and Evan Turner.
Okay, big whoop, you might think. What does that even all mean? Well, thanks to Stevens' efforts, Boston finally broke through as a free agency destination for stars, starting with Al Horford, then with Gordon Hayward, and then with Kemba Walker two years before Stevens then started running the front office.
They signed with Boston because they took note of what Stevens did with the minimal talent at his behest. Mazzulla isn't doing the exact same thing as coach, but his efforts last year were so impressive without Jayson Tatum for most of the season that Devin Carter not only willingly got waived, but actively sought the Celtics because he believes they'll save his career.
If he's correct, it's not like he necessarily changes the Celtics ceiling, but it could be yet another signal to free agents that Mazzulla has the rare ability to bring out a new level to their game, which could persuade a Horford-like free agent to join the team down the line in no time.
In all fairness, big name free agents have joined Boston
Up until this past season, Boston has't really gotten the chance to sign any big name unrestricted free agents because they didn't have the assets to do it. That changes this summer, and it led to them bringing one of the more impactful free agents, even if he wasn't the most expensive: Mitchell Robinson.
Robinson was an undeniable cog in New York's title run earlier this year. His offensive rebounding and protection undeniably factored into how they dominated the postseason. He may not have been their best player, but the Celtics prying him from the Knicks is a bigger deal than what it's been made out to be. And that's likely because the Jaylen Brown trade happened like an hour later.
Then there's Mike Conley Jr., who, of course, isn't the name he was, but he could have chosen anywhere to spend what could very well be his swan song in the NBA, but he chose Boston.
Again, not the biggest names, but they are still names, and they might just be the hints that Boston will become a free agency destination again under Mazzulla just like they were under Stevens.
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