The Celtics determined to run it again with their 2024 NBA Finals workforce, and the outcomes are combined this season.
Boston’s beginning 5 doesn’t have many regarding questions. Kristaps Porzingis’ well being all the time stays a fear, and Derrick White and Jrue Vacation’s chilly stretches aren’t nice. Nonetheless, there’s sufficient religion to be assured in them within the playoffs.
The most important concern with the C’s is the bench exterior of Al Horford. Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser are 3-point retailers, and in the event that they go chilly, then the workforce’s ceiling considerably worsens. Luke Kornet is a dependable massive man however solely provides you restricted minutes. Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman haven’t developed in the best way Joe Mazzulla and Brad Stevens probably hoped. And guys like Drew Peterson and Jordan Walsh aren’t prepared for the NBA. The bench’s considerations bought to some extent the place Jaden Springer is being floated as a commerce candidate.
That’s why a commerce made per week earlier than the NBA commerce deadline would possibly current a possibility for Boston.
The Los Angeles Clippers traded Mo Bamba, P.J. Tucker and a future second-round decide to the Utah Jazz in change for Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills, in keeping with ESPN’s Shams Charania and Bobby Marks on Saturday.
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A lot of the particulars of the commerce are irrelevant to Celtics followers. What they need to be taking note of is Tucker. If you happen to didn’t know the veteran was nonetheless within the NBA, then meaning you’re not a sicko. (We love you NBA sickos, solely you might be maintaining the league’s TV rankings afloat.)
Tucker, who turns 40 on Could 5, sat out the beginning of the season when it was clear Tyronn Lue wasn’t going to make him a part of the Clippers rotation. CEO Danny Ainge is executing a multi-year rebuild with Utah, and it’s unlikely Tucker can be a part of these plans. It’s probably the Jazz buyout the final yr of his deal which can internet him $11.5 million.
The Celtics might take into account including Tucker to assist resolve their bench woes. The 2021 NBA champion continues to be a tricky defender and a strong 3-point shooter, so he matches Mazzulla’s system. Boston, particularly Jayson Tatum, is nicely conscious of Tucker’s playoff tenacity.
Age is a priority. Nonetheless, if a younger Queta can’t sustain with guys, how worse might Tucker be? He additionally wouldn’t must play a lot. The Celtics will nonetheless depend on their core six within the postseason. However Tucker provides them one other wing participant for particular matchups. The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder can simply play with out a conventional massive man, and if Porzginis and Horford get run off the courtroom, Tucker can be an intriguing counter as a small-ball 5.
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Boston appropriately went all in on its core gamers. And with that calculated transfer, it is going to want to make artful strikes to proceed its chase for extra titles, and that would imply signing a participant like Tucker if Ainge makes him accessible after the NBA commerce deadline.
