The Boston Celtics are currently sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 13-10. Needless to say, the Celtics have not met the high expectations they were given. Knowing how the team's general manager Danny Ainge loves making blockbuster trades and franchise changing moves, here are five bold predictions for the rest of the Boston Celtics' season.
1. Trade Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier
One player that has not quite lived up to the hype is Jaylen Brown. Jaylen Brown is entering his third season in the NBA, and his stats are trending down. While his athletic build, body size, and ability to play multiple positions, he still has a lot of potential to develop into a star. With that said, the Celtics should trade him as soon as possible.
The Celtics are loaded with wings, to the point that they are having a previous All-Star in Gordon Hayward come off the bench. While he is great to have, the Celtics just simply do not need him.
This season, Brown has played and started in 19 games. In 28.1 minutes per game, Brown is averaging 11.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. Brown is also having a hard time getting the ball n the basket, as he is shooting 39.8 percent from the field, and 25.3 percent from beyond the arch. The Celtics need to trade Brown as soon as possible, otherwise, his value could continue to drop.
Another player that should be traded, who is playing as expected, is Terry Rozier. Terry Rozier is in a contract year, meaning he will be a free agent at the end of this season. After his outstanding performance in the 2018 NBA Playoffs, where he filled the role of starting point guard, Rozier is ready for a payday. Unfortunately, the Celtics will not be able to offer him the amount of money he is looking for.
Rozier has the ability to be a starting point guard for many teams in the league, and he is ready to shine. The Celtics should look to trade Rozier, due to the fact that they just do not have enough money to resign him.
If the Celtics could make a package deal including both Brown and Rozier, the return could be huge. This leads us to our next point.
2. Acquire a Top Pick in the 2019 NBA Draft
Assuming that Danny Ainge is willing to pull the trigger and trade Brown and Rozier, the Celtics should look into acquiring a top pick in the upcoming draft.
The 2019 NBA Draft class is absolutely loaded. With names such as Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Cameron Reddish, and Nassir Little, the Celtics could really make a splash.
In the 2017 NBA draft, the Celtics acquired the rights to the Sacremento Kings 2019 first round pick, top one protected, and the third overall pick in the 2017 draft from the Philadelphia 76ers, in exchange for the first pick in the 2017 NBA draft. The 76ers went on to take Markelle Fultz, and the Celtics took Jayson Tatum.
If the Celtics are able to trade for another top pick, there is a potential of Boston being able to have two of the top five picks. This is a draft that will go down in history as one of the most talented draft classes, and the Celtics can't miss out.
3. Marcus Morris Needs More Minutes
After the sub-par start to the Celtics' season, head coach Brad Stevens has started to experiment with the starting line up. One player that has consistently made an impact is Marcus Morris. Morris has played in 22 games this season, starting in 5.
Although it is still early in the season, he is putting up some of the best numbers of his career. In 26.4 minutes per game, Morris is averaging 14 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. Morris is also shooting the ball at a good rate at 48.7 percent from the field, and 44.3 percent from beyond the arch – both career bests.
With stats like those, Morris needs to be given a chance. Morris, who would fit well in the power forward spot, should be played in the starting line up and be given more minutes.
4. Robert Williams Needs a Bigger Role
One of the more questionable selections in the 2018 NBA draft was Robert Williams, who was taken by the Celtics with the 27th pick. After his draft stock plummeted due to questions of his maturity, some saw the selection of Williams to be a steal, while others saw it as a mistake.
The questions of maturity quickly came into action when Williams missed his introductory phone call the morning after the draft, as well as his flight to the Summer League.
Since then, according to Brad Stevens, Williams has been on top of everything and has been putting in a lot of work on his game.
Williams has not received a lot of minutes thus far in the season, but when he gets on the court, his monster blocks are a thing of beauty. The defensive edge Williams could give to the Celtics, who are ranked second in defensive rating, would make them nearly unstoppable.
This all starts with giving Williams more minutes. It would benefit the Celtics on defense, as well as help Williams devolop into a more well-rounded player.
5. Boston Celtics Will Win the 2019 NBA Championship
Yes, the Celtics are off to a slow start. Yes, the Eastern Conference does have a lot of good teams this year. Yes, Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors are first in the conference with a record of 20-4. Regardless, the Celtics have the most talented roster in the Eastern Conference, and will make the NBA Finals.
The tough part will be the finals itself. The Western Conference is as talented as ever, with only five games seperating the first seed from the fourteenth seed. The seeding of the West is truly unpredictable.
It won't be easy, but the Celtics have the roster to do it. With the star power of Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Gordon Hayward, the Celtics should follow Celtic legend Kevin Garnett's quote, “Anything is possible!”
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