Pre-Draft Outlook
The Celtics were the best team in the league over the last three months of the season. Then they swept the talented Brooklyn Nets and ousted the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks. They have two versatile forwards who are just 24 and 25 years old, five other guys who have size and help them on both ends of the floor, and a first-year coach who has already proven that he can get the best out of his team. Their entire playoff rotation is under contract for at least another season and there might not be another team better set up to compete for championships for the next few years.
A Stat That Matters
No. 1 — The Celtics had both the league’s No. 1 offense (119.2 points scored per 100 possessions) and its No. 1 defense (105.0 allowed per 100) over the final 12 weeks of the season (since Jan. 17).
The Way To Go
With only the 53rd pick in the Draft, the Celtics probably aren’t going to get somebody that can help them in their quest for a title. They have the tax-payer mid-level exception to spend on some rotation help, and they should look to sign Grant Williams to a contract extension to avoid him hitting restricted free agency in 2023.
Under Contract
G: Payton Pritchard
G: Marcus Smart
G: Nik Stauskas
G: Derrick White
G/F: Jaylen Brown
G/F: Aaron Nesmith
F/G: Jayson Tatum
F: Malik Fitts
F: Grant Williams
F/C: Daniel Theis
C/F: Al Horford
C/F: Robert Williams III
Free Agents
G: Brodric Thomas (two-way)
F: Sam Hauser (team option)
F: Juwan Morgan (team option)
F: Matt Ryan (two-way)
C/F: Luke Kornet (unrestricted)
> 2022 Free Agent Tracker
Last Year’s Draft
2021: Juhann Begarin (45)
— John Schuhmann