10 Celtics-centric thoughts following a hectic NBA trade deadline

Wow, what a day. That was one of the most epic NBA trade deadlines ever – which is saying one thing, as a result of just about yearly is bonkers.

You actually can’t look away from Twitter for quite a lot of minutes. For those who do, chances are high you’ll miss some form of fireworks.

Kevin Durant heading to Phoenix is clearly the most important storyline, however there are a number of different strikes that would considerably have an effect on each the panorama of the league and the Celtics shifting ahead.

Listed below are ten Celtics-centric ideas about what went down:

1) Generally, much less is extra.

Let’s begin with the Celtics themselves. They didn’t do something too loopy, however the reality is, they didn’t need to. Bringing in Mike Muscala was the right low-risk, medium-reward transfer they wanted to make.

Buying and selling for somebody like Jakob Poeltl, Rui Hachimura or Jae Crowder may need been a bit extra splashy, however they didn’t have to make a splash. They wanted yet one more rotational piece who suits their model, and that’s what they bought.

It’s possible they’ll add another, but when they do, it possible will not be something loopy.

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2) Do not sleep on Mike Muscala.

Most individuals appear to assume Muscala will primarily be used within the common season, however I’m not so certain. There aren’t too many legit 7-footers who’re actually wonderful shooters.

Muscala might not be the very best defender of all-time, however he’s a sniper. I’d like to see him with Malcolm Brogdon, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Al Horford, for example. All 5 guys can shoot the lights out, and defenses have to choose their poison.

3) Ought to Phoenix be thought of the favourite now?

It’s an intriguing thought, however I nonetheless say the Celtics are the frontrunners in the intervening time. Phoenix technically has extra stars, however Boston has the very best participant, the higher mix of abilities and extra depth.

Plus, Phoenix has to get by way of a Western Convention that turned far more loaded. Vegas provides the Celtics the very best odds to win all of it, the Bucks second and Suns third. I’d agree with that order.

If it’s a Celtics-Suns Finals, holy smokes. That might be an all-timer.

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4) Does Jae Crowder assist the Bucks match up higher with the Celtics?

Crowder is without doubt one of the higher wing defenders within the NBA, and I imagine Milwaukee had the Celtics in thoughts once they acquired him. When Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton have to protect Tatum and Brown, they exert a lot vitality on that finish that it inevitably impacts their offense.

Placing Crowder on one in every of them might give the Bucks a aggressive benefit. Nonetheless, it’s not sufficient to place them excessive. The Celtics nonetheless have the sting, however the hole bought just a little smaller.

5) What’s going to occur to the Nets?

Brooklyn has some nice younger expertise in Cam Thomas, Mikal Bridges, Nic Claxton and Cam Johnson and a few nice veteran expertise in Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, Joe Harris and Patty Mills (OK, Ben Simmons, too).

All that’s lacking is say, one or two generational scorers, and this might be a championship crew (sorry, too quickly?). However significantly, don’t rely the Nets out. They’re presently fifth within the East, at 33-22, and are too good to be dangerous. Sure, they’re rebuilding, however they’re additionally competing.

The Celtics completely owned the Durant and Kyrie Irving-led Nets. Although the “rivalry” may take a step again, don’t rely these Nets out fully. This can be a crew that would probably give Boston a more durable battle than many anticipate in the event that they meet within the first spherical.

Loosen up, chill out. I’m not saying the Nets would win, however I don’t assume it could robotically be a sweep.

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6) Jalen McDaniels was an underrated pickup.

The 76ers prioritized offense and gave up some protection once they acquired Jalen McDaniels and parted methods with Matisse Thybulle.

McDaniels is a proficient playmaker who ought to see a major function. He’ll get open appears enjoying alongside Joel Embiid and James Harden, and he’s one other dude the Celtics have to fret about.

The 76ers initially seen Thybulle as a dominant wing defender. Whereas he’s a very good defender, that ability finally wasn’t sufficient to compensate for his different shortcomings in Philadelphia.

7) Is the West higher than the East?

Early within the season, for the primary time shortly, it was honest to say that the East was higher than the West.

What about now? I’d give the slight edge to the West, however I nonetheless assume it’s fairly shut. The West has extra groups able to successful all of it (Nuggets, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Suns, Clippers, Warriors – sorry, Kings), however the Celtics, Bucks and 76ers have arguably a greater probability than any of these groups outdoors of the Suns.

So, the West is deeper, however there’s a stable probability the champion comes out of the East after the West groups beat each other up.

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8) Will Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic coexist?

I can’t imagine these I’m placing these phrases on paper, however I really assume it would work – at the least for this season. After that, one thing will go improper, however for now, I imagine they’ll mesh completely on the court docket.

I believe the Mavericks will make the Western Convention Finals. There isn’t a extra proficient backcourt within the NBA, and their function gamers complement their stars very properly. They really may match up higher with the Celtics than some other crew (together with the Warriors, in fact).

9) Why did the Cavaliers and Bulls keep quiet?

To me, they appear like two teams which might be near contending however aren’t fairly there.

The Cavs are nearer than the Bulls, and buying one other key rotational piece might have helped them shut the hole with the Celtics and Bucks.

I personally assume they’ve the most effective younger cores round, so possibly they really feel comfy with the place they’re at and the path they’re going. Don’t underestimate Cleveland within the playoffs.

10) How ought to the Celtics method the buyout market?

Right here’s a closer look at some choices. Will Barton is the very best participant, however I believe he may need a larger function than the Celtics might give him.

I believe Terrence Ross is probably the most reasonable choice for each events. The licensed Celtics killer would offer an ideal set off the bench. They addressed their want for a backup huge, and nabbing one other backup wing couldn’t harm.

Even in spite of everything this chaos – and whether or not they make one other transfer or not – the Celtics nonetheless management their very own future this season.