Complete 2018 NBA Free Agency primer for OKC Thunder and all 30 teams
Boston Celtics:
Free Agents:
- Aron Baynes (UFA)
- Jonathan Gibson (RFA)
- Shane Larkin (UFA)
- Greg Monroe (UFA)
- Marcus Smart (RFA)
- Jabari Bird (RFA – 2-way FA)
The Boston Celtics have tendered a qualifying offer to Marcus Smart. He's now a restricted free agent. The Celtics can match any offer sheet Smart signs with another team.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 29, 2018
Team Profile and Ranking:
Key Ranking Stats to end the season:
- Offense: 18th (105.3)
- Defense: 1st (101.5)
- Net: 6th (plus +3.6)
NBA Power Ranking at 2017-18 season end: 8th
ESPN Power Ranking post playoffs: 4th
Vegas odds to win 2018-19 title as of June 26: 5.5 to 1
Committed Salary: $107,433,526.00 as of June 30th
Average attendance: 18,624
Attendance rank:11th
Arena: TD Garden
Management:
- General Manager: Danny Ainge – 2003
- Head Coach: Brad Stevens – 2013
Salary Profile:
Boston enters the moratorium with two players on partially guaranteed (Abdel Nader and Semi Ojeleye) and one non-guaranteed contract for Daniel Theis all for the same amount ($1,378,24).
As for exceptions, the Celtics have an $8.6 million non-tax midlevel and $3.4 million bi-annual available to utilize.
The Celtics enter the moratorium with continuity at its center with 12 players guaranteed as well plus Williams the rookie.
| Salary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Age | 2018-19 | Signed Using | Guaranteed |
| Gordon Hayward | 28 | $31,214,295 | Cap space | $93,642,885 |
| Al Horford | 32 | $28,928,710 | Cap Space | $56,663,115 |
| Kyrie Irving | 26 | $20,099,188 | Bird Rights | $38,967,813 |
| Jayson Tatum | 20 | $6,700,800 | 1st Round Pick | $12,346,200 |
| Marcus Morris | 28 | $5,375,000 | Bird Rights | $10,375,000 |
| Jaylen Brown | 21 | $5,169,960 | 1st Rd pick | $10,126,440 |
| Guerschon Yabusele | 22 | $2,667,600 | 1st Round Pick | $4,915,080 |
| Terry Rozier | 24 | $3,050,390 | 1st round pick | $5,038,910 |
| Semi Ojeleye | 23 | $1,378,242 | $2,193,857 | |
| Abdel Nader | 24 | $1,378,242 | $1,617,333 | |
| Daniel Theis | 26 | $1,378,242 | Minimum Salary | $815,615 |
| Demetrius Jackson | 23 | $92,857 | $650,000 | |
| Team Totals | $107,433,526 | $252,925,702 |
Provided by Basketbal,l-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/26/2018.
Draft 2018:
Round 1:
With the 27th pick, the Celtics selected Texas A&M big man Robert
Rookie profiles: Translating Robert Williams raw defensive tools into pro success
Free Agency – Offseason Mandate:
Of the 30 teams entering free agency, the Celtics are one of very few who could make no moves and be fine. Considering Boston returned to the East finals and did so without the two players they entered the season expecting to lead them speaks to precisely how deep this squad is.
Danny Ainge has all the tools to work with including existing stars and young talent. Certainly, Ainge will test the waters to add more depth with an eye set on those Warriors in the West. To that end, the expectation is Boston will make the calls regarding brokering a trade for Kawhi Leonard.
They’ll also likely request meetings with Paul George and yes even LeBron James (regardless of the Irving situation). Ironically what Boston has in spades are talented wings who can score and defend. Yet, with the league in an era of positionless ball add more players who can play multiple positions is at a premium.
It’s anyone’s guess just how dynamic and dominant the Celtics will be with a healthy Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward back this coming season. Brad Stevens has a great dilemma to figure out with so much talent. In fact, if this past season proved anything it was rookie (Jayson Tatum) is headed for superstardom and will push the All-Stars for top billing.
Of the free agents Boston has in house, priority should be given to retaining Marcus Smart. He may not be the most talented guard on the squad. But much like Lance is synonymous with Indy, Smart is the heart of the Celtics, their spirit animal if you will. Likewise, secondary emphasis should be put on keeping Aron Baynes at an economical rate. With rookie Williams, they have a little leeway, however.
Danny Ainge said today that it’s unlikely that the Celtics will make a major trade this offseason. You should believe him. Go back and look at his track record: he’s very, very honest on these fronts.
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) June 29, 2018
Marc Davis may be pulling our leg with his tweet, but again, Boston enters the moratorium as the strongest club in the East.