The Boston Celtics are already working on to rebuild the team after another postseason ended in disappointment. Following the Kemba Walker trade even with the playoffs still ongoing, Brad Stevens and Co. are now shifting their focus on finding the right coach for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
According to Jay King of The Athletic, however, the Celtics have a specific requirement for the next coach that will take over the team. Apparently, they want someone who has NBA experience in a bid to push Tatum and Brown to the next level–which could be a key factor in evaluating if the said coach is successful or not.
Many of the candidates the Celtics have interviewed fit the bill, including Chauncey Billups, Ime Udoka and Darvin Ham. Stevens will need to go in a different direction if he wants someone with head coaching experience, but those guys have been in the mix for other opportunities and are widely considered ready for a chance. Billups impressed Marcus Smart with a veteran presence when the two worked out together in summer 2017.
Brad Stevens, who left the head coaching post to take the president of basketball operations from Danny Ainge, will surely have a tough time deciding his replacement on the Celtics' bench. Billups and Udoka are strong candidates, but the former is also in extended talks with the Portland Trail Blazers. With that said, Boston might need to make a decision soon if they want the Los Angeles Clippers assistant.
Sure enough, the Celtics' desire to get a coach with league experience is understandable. They still have Stevens on the team, so the culture they have established will remain. Considering that, the priority for them now is have someone who can truly guide their young superstar duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown as they continue their rise to NBA superstardom.
It remains to be seen whom the Celtics will hire, but that coach will surely have a pressure-packed but exciting task waiting.
Follow Us
Subscribe