Celtics questions going into the offseason

What a year. Big time trades, crazy games, a fan-base unsure whether to hope for losses or wins, this Celtics team was extremely interesting. A year after winning 25 games the Celtics gave every fan hope for the future, and got to measure themselves against the best, which is more than anyone can ask for. However, the road is still a long way from being completed. This was a perfect storm season that won’t repeat itself. The absence of Paul George and Chris Bosh, and the total malfunction of the Charlotte Hornets won’t be something we can bank on ever again. For the Celtics to become a perennial playoff team, and build for next year, they need to make some big decisions this offseason. Here are some of the things to watch for with the offseason approaching.

1. Kelly Olynyk or Jared Sullinger

Both guys are young, and both guys are stretch 4’s. Though they differ in play style, they both are better playing the 4, and if the Celtics are serious about bringing in another big (Kevin Love), then one of them will need to go or accept a permanent bench role. After this series the person most likely to ride the pine would be Olynyk (he logged 13 minutes in the final two games combined). However, with rim-protectors on the market like Robin Lopez, Omer Asik, Kosta Koufos, and Javale McGee, maybe Ainge would be more inclined to deal him and then acquire a defensive-minded big.

2. The Celtics need a shooter

The Celtics are a team that loves to shoot, but they can’t shoot at all. And the players that can shoot, either aren’t aggressive enough, or struggle to create for themselves. Of course they have James Young in their back pockets, but he’s still an unknown. He could come back this summer 15 pounds stronger and ready to make a run for a starting position or he could make minimal improvements and still mostly be a D-league candidate. One name to watch is Wesley Matthews. He suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon, and the Trailblazers haven’t been the same since. At 28, he’s an unrestricted free agent, and if the Celtics can steal him from Portland he has the skills to completely turn this team around. He shots 38% from beyond the arc, and was scoring a shade under 16 points before his injury. He’s one of the most underrated two-way players in the league who sports an impressive 99.4 defensive rating. He also has the ability to play both wing spots because of his size. Pairing him in the starting lineup with an improved Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley could create one of the strongest defensive backcourts in the league.

3. How does the draft go?

The draft will be interesting to watch. The Celtics might just play it safe if they are already the favorites to land some top guys, and pick up project guys they can develop behind the scenes. However, if they fall in love with guys like Willie Cauley-Stein, Myles Turner, or Stanley Johnson, they could package some of their assets to make a run at them. Either way, I’d encourage watching the Summer League this year.

4. Who’s coming back?

With guys like Brandon Bass, Jonas Jerebko, Gigi Datome, and Jae Crowder set to hit free agency, the Celtics will look like a completely different team next year. The only guy Boston should have any real interest bringing back is Jae Crowder, and I think that’s most likely the only guy they will from that group. The front-court was already crowded with guys who had redundant skills, so Jerebko and Bass are easy drops. As fun as it was to have Gigi on the team, he’s no one you seriously keep unless he’s okay spending the rest of his career as a seldom used shooter. But Jae Crowder proved in these playoffs that he’s a keeper, and someone who can be relied on when all the marbles are on the table. I don’t anticipate him going anywhere.

5. What’s the goal for next year?

Realistic expectations for the Celtics going into next year should be to make a serious run at winning the division. With the Raptors set to maybe blow up their team, the Nets potentially losing Brook Lopez, and the Sixers and Knicks still a year or two from being relevant, the division is wide open. As long as the Celtics answer the needs they have, they should be right in the running. A good thing about having key pieces that are young is that from year to year they improve until they hit their prime. So some good signings along with the natural growth of guys like Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley, James Young, Jared Sullinger, Jae Crowder, and Tyler Zeller should make this team formidable going into next year.