Boston Celtics rumors: Thoughts & predictions ahead of 2021 NBA Draft
“With the 45th Pick of the 2021 NBA draft, the Boston Celtics Select…” are the make-or-break words for the start of what could be a historic or simply generic NBA offseason in Boston.
Just over a month ago, the Celtics shipped out the 16th pick as well as Kemba Walker and his $36 million contract in exchange for Oklahoma City’s Al Horford and Moses Brown.
This move not only added depth to center and power forward, but it also added some much-needed Cap Room heading into the draft and free agency.
Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens got started early
Brad Stevens took no time to put on his General Manager hat during this offseason. Yes, there are so many unanswered questions Boston Fans are waiting for.
Will Tristian Thompson or Marcus Smart be shipped out? Will Evan Fournier be resigned? What will happen at pick 45? Will the Celtics make a splash in Free Agency? All these questions will be answered in due time, but as for now, it is all speculation.
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Creating cap room
Tristian Thompson and Smart both have undecided futures in Boston. Not only do the two account for $25 million in cap room, but they also have potential to be center pieces in trades that could allow for the Boston Celtics to free up cap room by trading for future picks or players with reduced salaries. It would not be a surprise if one of these two were shipped out on draft night or in the days following the event.
As of today, The Boston Celtics have about $13 million before they hit the NBA’s Hard Cap. There are currently 11 guaranteed salaries for 13 roster spots. With a draft pick available, there is one spot remaining for Boston to sign a player to a mid-level contract. There are plenty of options for Boston, but in reality, they will need to look for a playmaking guard to compliment Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Marcus Smart. It should be important that they look for a potential starter who has some attributes of leadership to help lead this young core.
Boston Celtics: Best free agent options
On the top of the free agency big board for the Boston Celtics should be Evan Fournier.
It would be very good for the team to bring back Fournier as a potential playmaker and leader for the roster on both ends of the floor. If Fournier chooses to go elsewhere there are other viable options for the Celtics, one of which being veteran guard Reggie Bullock.
Reggie has plenty of NBA experience as a player for losing teams and contenders. He would be a great addition as a 3-and-D wing for Boston as well.
There are a few Restricted Free Agents that Boston Celtics should throw their hat in the ring for. They include, but aren’t limited to, Bruce Brown, Josh Hart, Gary Trent Jr., and Talen Horton-Tucker. These guys all could be the needed addition to make the Boston Celtics contenders once more. Now to get one of these guys, the Celtics will need to make qualifying offers for them and cross their fingers in hopes teams don’t match said offers.
It’s 2021 NBA Draft night
Now all of this is speculation of what the Celtics could do in a few weeks, but tonight is where all of this could start.
When Deputy Commissioner, Mark Tatum steps up to the podium for pick number 45 Celtics’ fans will be on the edge of their seats hoping for a great selection and a strong potential prospect to fall in the laps of Boston Celtics fandom.
Could it be Oklahoma guard, Austin Reaves? Could it be G-League Ignite point guard, Daishen Nix? Or could they select a completely different prospect?
Next. Boston Celtics: 3 big men to target at No. 45 in 2021 NBA Draft. dark
The possibilities are endless for Boston tonight. It all comes down to selecting the guy that could be a gem taken in the late stages of the draft.