After once being seen as the most impressive car in the race to become the next NBA dynasty, the Boston Celtics are spinning their wheels. The team has only gotten worse the past few seasons and it is due to more than key players like Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward departing. Leadership has been the main issue plaguing the Celtics this season, according to The Athletic's Jared Weiss.

Weiss broke down the Celtics' leadership crisis. Marcus Smart's brash leadership doesn't hold up as much due to his on-court struggles, Jaylen Brown's attempts to rally the troops often go unanswered because of his defensive mishaps and Jayson Tatum doesn't do much leading with his words.

Tatum has cemented his reputation as a quiet, lead-by-example type, while the continued struggles for offensive chemistry between Brown and Smart has created a sense of staleness within the team. Multiple people in the locker room have brought up the lack of desperation from this team, something that often shows throughout the week as the Celtics bounce between composed and lost.

Weiss added that there have been disagreements with players this season, but nothing seriously damaging has occurred.

Celtics team and player sources have told The Athletic regularly throughout the season that there haven’t been any significant clashes behind closed doors. Rob Williams mentioned after last week’s home win against Indiana that the team had arguments throughout the game, but player sources said those have been just the usual heat of the moment conversations, without any lasting tension.

Boston approaches the trade deadline with a 23-22 record. The Tatum-Brown pairing isn't due to be split any time soon. But Boston's struggles don't help its chances of staying together.