Boston Celtics

Key Acquisitions: C Tristan Thompson, G Jeff Teague, G/F Aaron Nesmith, G Payton Pritchard

Key Departures: F Gordon Hayward, C Enes Kanter, G Brad Wanamaker

While it may appear that losing a former All-Star in Gordon Hayward may hurt the Boston Celtics’ chances at winning a championship, it actually helps them. While losing Hayward definitely affects Boston’s depth on the wing, it allows the Celtics to start their most effective lineup of: Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and now, Tristan Thompson. 

While the Celtics were elated after signing Gordon Hayward before the 2017-18 NBA season, after a gruesome leg injury in the first game of that season, Hayward has not been the same player and has been battling some other injuries along the way in attempts to get back to full-strength. 

While he did play pretty well this past season, averaging 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and shooting 50% from the floor and 38.3% from deep, Hayward was not as well-respected by opponents as he had been in the past. A lot of teams focused more on the Celtics young stars in Tatum and Brown and Gordon Hayward did not take advantage of this opportunity to prove himself.

The Celtics moving on from Gordon Hayward frees up a lot of cap space as well as a massive $28.5M trade exception from the sign-and-trade they worked out with Charlotte. There are no immediate moves to be made by the Celtics with this trade exception, but come time for the trade deadline mid-season, the Boston Celtics are a team who could look to acquire an All-Star talent who is frustrated in his current situation. 

The additions of Tristan Thompson and Jeff Teague should help the Celtics a lot as well this upcoming season. The center position is something the Celtics have not had stability at for years now, but Tristan Thompson is known for being an aggressive rebounder who attacks the offensive glass. Second-chance opportunities and points is the biggest thing Thompson can contribute to this Celtics team. 

Teague will be Kemba Walker’s back-up point guard and is a fantastic addition for the second-unit of this team. He is a great facilitator and passer and with playmakers around him Jeff Teague could even be an interesting option to score for the Celtics in pick-and-roll sets. When he was with Atlanta, Teague was a reliable scoring option and with him being overlooked next to Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, Teague could be one of the better bench players in the NBA this upcoming season.

Cutting loose ends and bringing in veteran talent has solidified the Boston Celtics as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, making them one of the biggest winners of the offseason.