10 Boston Celtics-centric thoughts after the Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis deals

The primary and second dominos have fallen.

The Celtics kicked off what’s going to possible be a busy few weeks by buying and selling Jrue Vacation to the Blazers in trade for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks.

Then they dealt Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round choose to the Hawks and purchased Georges Niang and a second-rounder as a part of a three-team deal.

In an ideal world, the Celtics would have stored Vacation and Porzingis for a number of extra years. The fact, nonetheless, is that it wasn’t possible. I wouldn’t argue with you if you happen to gave these trades an A or a C, however I personally give the Vacation one a B+ and the Porzingis one a B from Boston’s perspective.

With that in thoughts, listed below are 10 ideas on the trades and the state of the staff transferring ahead.

1. A second for the Vacation and Derrick White backcourt.

To not be a downer, however there’s a reasonably strong probability you’re by no means going to take pleasure in watching one other Celtics backcourt as a lot as you appreciated watching Vacation and Derrick White.

Their kinds meshed completely, they made one another higher and so they had a knack for offering precisely what the sport wanted in tandem.

It appears fairly possible White is staying in Boston, however Vacation will likely be missed.

2. Vacation is the last word stabilizer.

The larger the second, the extra possible it’s Vacation will go away his imprint.

The time period “lacking piece” is thrown round rather a lot in sports activities, however that’s precisely what he was. His poise and a spotlight to element turned an amazing staff into an invincible one. With out Vacation, there’s virtually actually no Banner 18.

You possibly can’t actually exchange a man like that. His time in Boston was quick, but it surely was extremely significant. He represented the franchise the suitable approach and was the last word teammate.

3. It ought to give White much more of a key function.

It’s not all bleak. With Vacation out of the image, White can have the ball in his arms much more. That’s an excellent factor.

White performed a few of his greatest basketball final yr, and it’s honest to anticipate a good higher season from him this yr. His taking pictures splits might go down a bit, however his numbers ought to go up.

It will be enjoyable to see him because the definitive second or third choice on a nightly foundation, versus just a few video games.

4. What about this Simons man?

Simons can hoop. Two years in the past, he averaged 22.6 factors, 5.5 assists and three.6 rebounds per recreation, whereas taking pictures 38.5 % from 3-point vary and 91.6 % from the road.

He’s a shifty, scrappy and extremely expert participant who simply turned 26 and remains to be getting higher. Simons will assist them keep aggressive with Jayson Tatum out, then as soon as Tatum is again, they’ll reassess and resolve whether or not it’s price holding Simons long run.

He matches in stylistically and can provide you 20 or so an evening and hit robust photographs in crunch time. Tommy Heinsohn would really like Simons as a result of he performs downhill, seems to run and is at all times in assault mode.

This nugget from statistician Dick Lipe is illuminating.

5. Simons additionally has loopy hops, however protection is a legit query mark.

Don’t let his measurement (6’3) idiot you…Simons is among the greatest dunkers within the league.

Sure, it’s true, he gained the 2021 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. No, it wasn’t the very best dunk contest of all-time, however he had some fairly strong ones individually. He might posterize the opponent occasionally out of nowhere.

Simons is a subpar defender, however he actually has the expertise and athleticism to develop in that space.

Generally enjoying on a nasty staff brings out gamers’ worst tendencies, and enjoying on an excellent staff typically brings out the very best in that very same participant. He’ll in all probability by no means make an all-defensive staff, but it surely’s extra possible than not he’ll enhance in that space enjoying in Boston.

6. Porzingis gave the whole lot he had for this metropolis.

There’s by no means been a participant I’ve modified my view on extra from earlier than his time with the Celtics to the tip of his time with the Celtics.

Porzgingis’ power is infectious. He brings out the very best in these round him, is among the greatest 7-foot shooters of all-time and has critical coronary heart. It was a brief stint, full of some anticipated up and downs injury-wise, however an exquisite one nonetheless.

He’s the last word teammate, will do something for his individuals and is a real winner. There’s possible no Banner 18 with out him.

7. Might this imply extra Luke Kornet transferring ahead?

Don’t be shocked to see Luke Kornet log 25 to half-hour an evening subsequent yr. He’s at all times been strong, however he actually hit one other degree final yr and seems to at house in Boston.

It appears possible Al Horford will keep as properly, but it surely’s laborious to ensure something at this level. Or this might merely be two small strikes resulting in a a lot, a lot greater one. It’s all a guessing recreation.

8. It’s a homecoming for Georges Niang.

Lawrence’s personal, George “Bang Bang” Niang, is coming house to play for the Celtics.

Niang has shot 40 % or higher from 3 every of the previous few seasons. Don’t underestimate his stroke and Mazzulla Ball paired collectively. It might be fairly candy.

I believe Brown will like enjoying with him, and I believe he’d mesh notably properly with Tatum. It’s attainable he’ll be right here only one season, or possibly even at some point, however I believe it’s an excellent match.

It may additionally signify the tip of Sam Hauser’s time in Boston, however we will see.

9. The place are they now, and the place do they go from right here?

The Celtics ought to in all probability goal wings and bigs from right here on out. Anybody might be traded at any second, however White, Simons, Payton Pritchard, Baylor Scheierman and JD Davison ought to fill the 5 guard spots properly.

It’s laborious to think about the Celtics contending for a title with out Tatum, and it’s laborious to think about them falling off a cliff with Brown nonetheless on the roster.

Someplace round 46-36 and the 4 or 5-seed with this present staff feels about proper. With that mentioned, they’re virtually actually not performed. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see if Brad Stevens tries to go all in with out Tatum or if he takes a extra big-picture method and hits the pause button for a yr. My guess is someplace within the center.

10. Change will be laborious.

I’ve mentioned it earlier than, however I actually hope you continue to cherish that 2024 title. Clearly the purpose is to win one other, and I guess they’ll get another sooner or later, but it surely appears fairly unlikely it will likely be this coming season.

That’s OK. Benefit from the experience, admire the wins and maintain supporting the staff you like. The Celtics might not be a wagon subsequent yr, however they’ll nonetheless virtually positively be enjoyable to look at and within the combine.