NBA rumors: 3 franchise-altering decisions on the table for Celtics
By Mark Powell
The Boston Celtics must make franchise-altering decisions after losing in five games to the Brooklyn Nets. So, where should they start?
The Celtics offseason brings incredibly tough questions, starting with the head coach. Brad Stevens is an elite mind, and one of the best coaches in basketball. But could a change of scenery be in his near future?
Stevens was mentioned as a potential fit at the University of Indiana before he re-stated his commitment to the Celtics. Boston fans are routinely in an uproar over his rotation moves. Whether warranted or not, there’s clearly some unrest here.
Yet, Stevens is not where the blame should lie. No, the Celtics players did not perform up to standard in 2020-21, and something’s gotta give. You know Danny Ainge won’t be sitting on his hands.
NBA rumors: 3 Boston Celtics who might not be back
3. What to do with Kemba Walker
Where to begin? The Celtics brought in Walker from the Charlotte Hornets with hopes he could replicate the success he had as the primary scorer on a bad team, but this time with the necessary help to build a championship contender. Mostly due to injuries, he hasn’t delivered on his hefty contract.
Per NBA reporter Evan Massey, the Celtics even tried to trade Walker last offseason. That was before they lost to the Nets:
“They tried in the offseason. Had a few offers on the table and almost pulled the trigger. Kemba is very likely to be on the move this coming offseason,” one rival executive reportedly told Massey.
So, where do the Celtics go from here? Walker averaged nearly 20 points per game on 42 percent shooting. Good but not great numbers for a player of his caliber. He’s still young enough to perhaps retrieve some form of draft capital, which Ainge ought to jump at.