5 Trade scenarios the Celtics must prepare for this offseason
By Tyler Watts
3. 76ers load up around Embiid and Maxey
Boston feels like a heavy favorite in the Eastern Conference. They will be more than ten games ahead of the second-best team at the end of the regular season and never lose at home. It will be a massive upset if the Celtics do not win the conference, but things could change next season.
The Bucks are committed to building an annual title contender around Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Knicks have the firepower to trade for a superstar. Those teams could be significantly better next season, but the biggest wildcard is the 76ers.
Reigning MVP Joel Embiid is the only player on their roster with a guaranteed contract for the 2024-25 season. Daryl Morey will bring back Tyrese Maxey in restricted free agency, but the Sixers wanted to keep their cap space open to chase another star. Can they add a needle mover and become serious title challengers?
Brad Stevens and his front office should plan for it. Al Horford has been their Embiid stopper in recent years, but will the 38-year-old be up to that task? Finding ways to slow Maxey and the rest of Philly’s roster is just as important, but the Sixers could look drastically different next season.
The Celtics may get a mandate that forces them to cut costs too.