The Boston Celtics could have exceeded expectations with a 56-win season and the second seed within the East, however the group is just not glad with the place they’re.
Simply two seasons faraway from a championship, President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens indicated throughout his finish of season press convention that massive adjustments have been coming for the Celtics. With Jayson Tatum getting into the prime of his profession, the precedence is maximizing the roster and competing for championships.
Which is why it has come as no shock to see Boston poking across the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Trey Murphy, Rudy Gobert, and others on the commerce market. The Celtics’ roster will look very totally different come opening evening. Nevertheless, there’s one goal on the market that would full their wing depth and provides them extra youth.
Boston ought to have free agent ahead Peyton Watson close to the highest of their checklist of targets
Watson had a profession yr this season, averaging 15 factors per sport, 5 rebounds, and two assists on 49 % capturing and 41 % from three-point vary. He was an enormous purpose why the Denver Nuggets have been in a position to keep afloat throughout the absence of Nikola Jokic throughout the common season.
Watson was stricken by hamstring accidents towards the top of the season and it price him your complete playoffs, however he confirmed large upside as a wing participant. He has at all times been a robust defender, due to his size, velocity, and dimension, making him the proper praise to Tatum and Jaylen Brown,
Watson can be a perfect match for the Celtics, permitting them to shift Brown again to the 2 and permit Tatum to proceed enjoying the 4. It provides Boston extra positional dimension and extra lineup flexibility.
Buying Watson would come at a value, as he’s anticipated to command heavy curiosity in free company. The Celtics do have draft capital and contracts to dangle, so they might have sufficient to curiosity the Nuggets, who’re additionally seeking to retool their roster. Perhaps there’s an avenue the place Boston may purchase Watson and Murphy/Gobert in separate offers. Nothing is inconceivable in right now’s NBA.
The Celtics know that they want extra to get again to competing for championships and given the truth that the Knicks received the title due to their wing depth, they might be sensible to comply with that blueprint. Tatum and Brown is a superb begin. Now, it’s about constructing round them and Watson may very well be a significant piece to that puzzle. His youth and two-way versatility make him nice matches for Joe Mazzulla’s system.
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