Boston Celtics 2023-24 Season Preview
The Boston Celtics head into the 2023-24 season riding on the winds of change.
During last year’s playoffs, the Celtics both impressed and underwhelmed at the same time. A frustrating series against the Philadelphia 76ers ended with star SF/PF Jayson Tatum (he/him) scoring 51 of the team’s 112 points to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat. The Celtics would drop the first three games of the series before rallying to force a game 7 on the back of a last second layup by SG/PG Derrick White (he/him) in game 6. However, the team would crater, as Tatum would be injured early in game 7, and the Celtics would lose.
Lots changed in the offseason, thanks to the Celtics being part of two major trades. In late June, franchise centerpiece, guard Marcus Smart (he/him), was let go of in a three-team trade with the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies, which would see 7’3 center Kristaps Porzingis (he/him) coming the Celtics’ way. However, understanding the hole at guard that was just created, the Celtics would make another move.
In the wake of one of the biggest trades in recent history that sent star guard Damien Lillard (he/him) from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Celtics would make a move for one of the pieces going back to Portland. By trading away two first-round picks, as well as guard Malcolm Brogdon (he/him) and PF/C Robert Williams III (he/him), the Celtics acquired star guard Jrue Holliday (he/him).
In addition, the Celtics made a massive signing to one of their star forwards. Jaylen Brown (he/him) has been one of the best forwards in the entire NBA, and the Celtics front office paid him like such, signing him to the first ever $300M contract in NBA history. With his contract and Tatum’s ending at different times, it allows the Celtics more flexibility with their roster management.
The Celtics’ regular season officially starts on Wednesday, October 25th, with a road game against the New York Knicks.
