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What’s next for Boston Celtics if they fail in the playoffs

By Joe DeFerrari

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 10: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics, Kyrie Irving #11 and Terry Rozier #12 cheer from the bench during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden on December 10, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 10: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics, Kyrie Irving #11 and Terry Rozier #12 cheer from the bench during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden on December 10, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics Aron Baynes(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Aron Baynes(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Big man questions

Aron Baynes has been a surprisingly important player for Boston this season, albeit in limited minutes. The Celtics are +9.1 in the 634 minutes Baynes has played  – the best mark on the team, and 5.4 points per 100 possessions better than when he sits. He plays smart and hard on both sides. Boston would definitely like to retain him.

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This offseason’s market should be better for players, but as good as Baynes has been, it’s hard to imagine anybody throwing a big offer at the backup center. Boston should be able to hold onto him.

Al Horford is a different story. Analysts argued last season that Horford, not Irving, was the most important player on the team. He is so intelligent and versatile on both sides of the floor that he just glues everything together. This season has been more of a struggle for him, with knee issues limiting his minutes and his effectiveness. Boston’s most used lineup – Irving, Smart, Tatum, Morris, and Horford – jumps from a +6.0 to a +17.0 when Horford sits. Horford is a +1.4, which is good, but way lower than his team-leading +9.3 from last season.

All that said, it’s easy to imagine a team throwing a big offer at him. And at 32-years-old, he probably wants one last big contract. If you’re the Celtics, do you risk having an ineffective 35-year-old driving you into the luxury tax when your young guys are projected to be entering their primes? And maybe a better question – does Al Horford even want to stick around? He joined the Boston Celtics when they were a bright-eyed, exciting team full of potential and hope.

Now they’re a dysfunctional squad falling short of expectations that’s been booed off their home court. This is a very different team than the one he joined.

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