Top 2016 Offseason Priorities for the Boston Celtics

Avery Bradley’s hamstring injury left the Boston Celtics shorthanded against the Atlanta Hawks, leading to a 4-2 first-round series loss and a premature end to Boston’s thrilling 2015-16 campaign.

Following the Game 6 defeat, Isaiah Thomas met the media with tears in his eyes. He, just like the rest of this resilient group, took the postseason elimination to heart, and it was heartwarming to see the players care so much. Despite the adversity, it’s important to give the Celtics a serious pat on the shoulder and remind them of the bright future ahead.

Players grew both individually and as a unit under the expert leadership of head coach Brad Stevens. Boston finished the regular season with a 48-34 record—an unexpected jump in an improved Eastern Conference. Many essential elements of a future title contender are already in place, and a couple of substantial additions could push the Celtics over the top next year.

Key players are tied down to cheap deals, and Boston general manager Danny Ainge will have a plethora of assets at his disposal this summer. The players did their part—now it’s time for the front office to work its magic.

Keep Evan Turner

It’s rare for players to reinvent themselves the way Evan Turner has. He went from putting up empty numbers for the Philadelphia 76ers, to an awkward fit with the Indiana Pacers, before finally settling in with Boston.

Turner finished fifth in the Sixth Man of the Year Award voting, and he has finally found his niche as a versatile wing off the bench. He still has a tendency to fall in love with his own offense, but those greedy moments are becoming infrequent. 

He ran the point, scored in crunch time and played solid defense—all of which Stevens has been complimentary about.

“I can’t imagine anybody being more valuable off the bench than Evan,” Stevens said, according to ESPN’s Chris Forsberg. “He’s been extremely valuable. He guards three positions a night, sometimes four positions. Obviously we have him with the ball all the time. He’s just had a great year and really impacted us in the last two years.”

Turner’s lack of three-point range is rarely exposed when he handles the ball, and he can score and make plays in the pick-and-roll. His post game is another reliable weapon—one Boston conveniently utilized in late-game situations.

Both parties will have to be patient. Ainge will most likely chase bigger fish before addressing depth, which will give other teams an opening to snatch Turner. The price tag is also a concern, as he is in for a hefty raise on his $3.4 million salary during the impending cap boom.

The market might be hot for Turner, but he wants to stay if the money is right, according to Bleacher Report’s Brian Robb. If he is fine with waiting and signing a reasonable $10 million-per-year contract, Boston should keep him. 

Clear the Frontcourt

The Celtics addressed their frontcourt logjam with a midseason waiving of David Lee, but the big men still had to battle for every minute. As Stevens …

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