4 Ways Celtics Can Salvage This Offseason
By Will Fowler
With Kyrie Irving having one foot out the door and Al Horford looking set to depart as well, the Celtics may be heading from riches to rags. However, there are still ways for Boston to turn this offseason into a positive one.
4. Acquire Clint Capela
Houston has been doing its due diligence in shopping around Capela since the end of last year's playoffs, and it was recently reported that the Celtics checked in on the 25-year-old big man. Capela would bring Boston a much needed physical presence in the paint, especially considering the biggest bodies the Celtics have now are Marcus Morris and Aron Baynes. The only thing that may get in the way? That contract.
3. Get Gordon Hayward off the Books
Gordon Hayward was largely expected to be a major piece in Boston's championship contention. After recovering from a gruesome leg injury he suffered in his first game with Boston, he hasn't been nearly the same player he was in Utah, and Celtics fans will balk at what he's owed next season: $32.7 million. Whether it's by dealing him away in a salary dump, using him as part of a blockbuster deal, or just cutting him free via a partial buyout, the removal of Hayward's contract would do wonders for Boston.
2. Have a Brilliant Draft Night
In this year's NBA Draft, Boston has three of the first 22 picks. If they play their cards right, the Celtics could turn around their entire offseason in just a few hours -- whether it's by packaging picks 14, 20, and 22 to move into the top 5 or simply using those picks on the right guys, Boston could very well have another brilliant draft night. Danny Ainge has long been lauded for his performances at the draft, and he's going to need a big one this time around.
1. Find Supplementary Pieces for Jayson Tatum
With Irving and Horford likely gone, the new captain of the ship becomes third-year standout Jayson Tatum. Instead of chasing a big name free agent, Danny Ainge should give Tatum the keys and let him run the show -- the Brad Stevens era has long been characterized by young, developing talent, and a return to those roots may yield great benefits for Boston.