Boston, Massachussetts - A rough offseason ended for the Celtics this week in signing three more players in free agency. While many believe they only signed John Henson, Shabazz Napier and Travis Wear to have more trade assets, the management ensured that it is not the case.
In total the franchise added 8 new players. Next to the three freeagents they signed, draftees De'Aron Fox, Kevin Knox, Ike Anigbogu and Mathias Lessort joined the roster alongside newly acquired TJ Warren. Being at 13 players now, it seems it is unrealistic the management will be able to find minutes for all of them.Dennis: We didn't sign them to just trade them again. Our trade block made it clear that we were in the hunt for a defensive minded Center and a combo guard who provides solid offense and defense. We found both in signing Napier and Henson. Also their contracts indicate they are signed for the long run. Their contracts expire right when Skal and co. need their extensions. So we are definitely fine with keeping them the next three years. However, like in every players case, we won't say no if an offer rolls around that we can't pass on.
Yet many have been disappointed by Boston's offseason. GMs around the league think Fox was a reach at pick 5 and that Knox won't be able to hit any shots. On top the only great get, Justin Patton, was traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for the 27th overall pick Ike Anigbogu and the 23' Clippers first round pick. So was the Clippers tough luck the Celtics offseason savior?Dennis: It's true. We won't be able to find minutes for all players. We are loaded everywhere and definitely will be searching for a consolidation deal. Especially keeping in mind that we will have four more first rounders in the next two seasons. We don't even have enough roster spots to be able to sign the incoming draftpicks. However, right now none of the players we would consider to trade for are on the market. Hence, we have to wait for the Exums, Wiggins' and Dunns to be available. No idea when it will happen, or if it will even happen, but we are one of the few teams that is ready to offer a fair deal. We have many assets and contracts to match nearly every salary.
Dennis: I think many GMs are wrong when they think about Fox being a reach at 5. He's a great fit for us next to Skal Labissiere and Isaia Cordinier. Wouldn't you love to have a Terry Rozier that can shoot on your team? Knox is a wildcard, but if he develops he will be a great scorer and should become a player being able to carry a team on his own. In general we will need another two seasons until all our guys got their endurance boost, but as soon as they did - watch out. With Detroit giving up their core (and Kemba starting to decline), Cleveland and Toronto aging, there is only Miami that we are fearing right now. Of ouse we wont be able to bring back all our guys, but we now have three seasons with our core without having to worry about financials. Expect us to use those three years as good as possible.
2028
Pretty much.
