The Boston Celtics Just Made This Idiotic Move
The Boston Celtics were once widely known as the most intelligent team in the NBA. With Brad Stevens and Danny Ainge as head coach and general manager, Boston fleeced teams repeatedly with trades. The most prominent being the deal that landed them both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown with the Brooklyn Nets while getting rid of aging Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. But after the most recent signing, it might've gone all out the window.
What Happened?
On Tuesday, July 25th, the Celtics agreed to an extension with Jaylen Brown. It was both expected and anticipated, nothing too shocking except when you look at the price tag. The Celtics extended Brown for over 60 Million dollars a year. For context, Jayson Tatum makes 32 million dollars a year. The Celtics are off back-to-back seasons with a finals loss and a conference finals loss. They are close, but paying the second half of your dynamic duo 60 million dollars is not how you get over that hump.
The Celtics are all in, that is clear, but it is costly. With Tatum, Brown, and Porzingis all being paid, it leaves little room to maneuver for depth. Malcolm Brogdon is set to make 22 million, Derrick White 18 million, and Al Horford and Robert Williams are set to make ten and 11 million. After trading the glue of this whole team away, that being Marcus Smart, the Celtics have to be careful in how they proceed, given the salary cap and luxury tax.
Will This Pay Off For Boston?
I don't believe so. Brown crumbled when the lights were brightest for all to see, especially with his left hand, so he'll have to work out whatever is causing this issue. But this is a clear sign of good faith from the Celtics. They believe this core will win a title, led by the new big three of Brown, Tatum, and Porzingis. The issue is I don't see that happening.
In the East, you also have Miami, who has consistently dominated you the past few seasons, the Bucks, who have an elite defensive core that has played very well against you, and a multitude of other up-and-coming young teams like the Hawks, Knicks, and Pacers who can all cause trouble. It is a bit too dicey to give that much money to a player who isn't even in any form of award conversation.
Final Overlook
The definition of insanity is doing something repeatedly and expecting a different result. Unfortunately for Celtic fans, that's what I believe is happening. This team has needed a trustworthy, veteran ball handler for some time, and by trading away the only one you had earlier in the off-season, you just set yourself up for failure. It also doesn't help that Jaylen Brown has proven nothing close to being worth the price tag he was given.
It feels as if Boston is repeating a cycle. Hoping that the two young stars they have, Tatum and Brown, progress enough to carry them past having to worry about the other issues that have been so pertinent for so long. In recent years, the Celtics have added some shiny pieces, like Porzingis and Brogdon, but nothing enough to get over the hump.
I'll eat my words if they manage to do it, but Boston has shown me nothing to make me believe they can win a title out of the East, let alone versus whoever comes out of the far superior West. Boston isn't winning a championship in the next three years, and this contract ruined their team and their chances even more.
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