After squandering their first 3-1 playoff series lead in franchise history, the Boston Celtics have work to do this offseason to get back to title contention next season. While the team could take a page from the New York Knicks' book and bring in another wing to complement Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, I think the team's first order of business is to trade for Andrew Nembhard from the Indiana Pacers.
Andrew Nembhard is a proven playoff contributor
Even though Nembhard is only 26, he has proven to save his best for when the lights are brightest. During the Pacers' NBA finals run last season, the former second-round pick showed the basketball world what he was capable of, putting up 12.5 points a night on 47.1/46.5/80.4 percent splits as Tyrese Haliburton's backcourt partner. In addition, he proved to be a pest on the defensive end, averaging 1.5 steals against the league's toughest guards.
In addition to his scoring prowess, Nembhard can be a floor general for the offense. Over his four-year career, he averages 5.2 assists per game and has posted a career high of 7.7 assists per game this past season. Across two playoff runs, the former second-round pick averages 5 assists as well.
The Celtics are a team accustomed to deep playoff runs and could have used another pesky two-way guard who can create his own shot to help spell Derrick White, who was a non-threat on offense during the team's first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Two seasons ago, when Boston captured Banner 18, the team made an offseason trade for former Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, who had already won an NBA championship with the Bucks in 2021. He turned out to be the perfect veteran presence to help push the Jays over the top. While Nembhard has yet to win a championship, he is also seven years younger than Holiday was when he won, and can grow alongside the team's core as he enters the prime of his career.
Boston needs to make some changes this offseason
Boston's 3-1 series collapse against the 76ers proved that the starting five can't do it alone. And as both the San Antonio Spurs and Knicks have shown during their playoff runs, championship teams win on the margins.
While pulling off a Nembhard trade may not dominate ESPN headlines, it's exactly the kind of under-the-radar move that Brad Stevens has made his signature to improve his team. By securing a high-IQ, battle-tested floor general to anchor the second unit and/or start alongside the Jays, Boston would be putting the finishing touches on another championship contender.
If the Celtics want to avoid another early summer vacation, Nembhard is the steady hand they desperately need.
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