The Boston Celtics have probably been one of the quietest teams this off-season, and the couple of moves they made were not eye-popping at all.
Very early in the off-season, the Celtics were involved in a three-team trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets. The Celtics did not lose anyone in that trade, but they did add Marcus Thornton and Tyler Zeller.
Thornton will supply immediate offense off the bench for Boston, if he is able to score some minutes in a crowded backcourt. He is a terrific three-point shooter, but he does have poor shot selection at times. It is not definite that Thornton will remain on the Celtics roster for a long time but, for now, he is a decent pickup.
Tyler Zeller was the best piece they got out of that three-way trade. Zeller is a legitimate 7-foot big man who can rebound and play tough low post defense if given the minutes. With Boston lacking size down low, Zeller could see significant minutes and will surely make the most of them.
The Celtics signed Evan Turner, who figures to play backup to Jeff Green. Turner struggled mightily as a reserve for the Indiana Pacers. His defense is sub-par, but he has the ability to play make and put up solid scoring numbers from the wing positions. However, he is a highly inefficient three-ball shooter.
Additionally, the Celtics handed Avery Bradley a lucrative four-year, $32 million contract. Bradley molds well for their young roster, and he could provide perimeter defense, but $8 million a year was a bit too much.
The Boston Celtics have made a couple of decent moves, but they have not done much during costless agency that will greatly improve the team or make an immediate impact. They will still rest on the shoulders of their veteran point guard Rajon Rondo, whose future in Boston is still cloudy. It will seemingly be difficult for the Celtics to make it to the playoffs in a much improved Eastern Conference.
Grade: C
Depth Chart:
PG: Rajon Rondo/Marcus Smart/Phil Pressey
SG: Avery Bradley/Marcus Thornton/Chris Babb
SF: Jeff Green/Evan Turner/Gerald Wallace/Chris Johnson/James Young
PF: Brandon Bass/Kelly Olynyk
C: Jared Sullinger/Tyler Zeller/Vitor Faverani/Joel Anthony
Coach: Brad Stevens