The Boston Celtics are closing in on Banner 18, with the NBA Finals going exactly their way in Game 1 and Game 2. Even if they win, though, this offseason will bring changes; with new players likely to come in and certain players likely to find new homes.
Overall, the Celtics don’t have too many in-house free agents they’ll be negotiating with. Jrue Holiday would’ve been the big fish, but he re-signed for four years and $135 million. Derrick White may get his own extension if the C’s core could prove championship-worthy, but both sides may wait until the 2025 offseason to ink an extension. Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown already signed their extensions too, and Jayson Tatum will surely sign his Supermax the first chance he’s eligible.
These three, however, are no locks to guarantee — and may even be in the final days of their Celtics tenures.
Here are 3 Boston Celtics who could be goners in the offseason if they win it all
Did you know Luke Kornet low-key led the league in 3P% this season? 🤣🎯 pic.twitter.com/OojvwVIDT2
— theScore (@theScore) June 6, 2024
Luke Kornet
A Brad Stevens favorite of many years, Luke Kornet could finally be noticed by other teams in free agency this offseason. When Porzingis went down with an injury, Kornet stepped up and played well defensively, going for two points, seven rebounds, two assists and a block against the Miami Heat in a closeout Game 5 in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals and exploding for four points, 10 rebounds and a pair of blocks in Game 1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Joe Mazzulla went as far as to say the Cs needed Kornet. That statement boosted Kornet’s value even higher after his surprising second unit contributions.
Expect a mid-level offer for Kornet if he isn’t brought back to Boston on a hometown discount.
Xavier Tillman Sr.
If the Celtics can only bring one big man back, it’d likely be Kornet. Xavier Tillman Sr. couldn’t find the floor for the first few games after Porzingis went down and is undersized for the 5. His prospects of returning don’t look good unless he has a lukewarm free-agent market.
Tillman has been a great locker room fit and has formed a bond with Al Horford, who will eventually need to be replaced in the rotation once he rides off into the sunset. Assuming that isn’t this offseason, there will only be so many roster spots to dedicate to the 5 with Neemias Queta owning a team option. With the luxury tax growing more and more punitive every year, the front office has to start operating on the tightest of budgets.
Tillman’s limited offensive skillset doesn’t work on a team whose strength is 1-5 versatility on both ends of the floor. Not at anything but a near-minimum deal, anyway. The Cs winning the championship boosts his value beyond that, so prepare for a reality where Tillman is priced out of Boston whether or not Kornet comes back.
Xavier Tillman’s first bucket for the Celtics. pic.twitter.com/IXpHuxLS5U
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) February 23, 2024
Jeff Van Gundy
One of the biggest losses the Celtics can experience this offseason is off the court. Jeff Van Gundy, who was brought on as a senior consultant ahead of the 2023-24 season, has been critical in making what seemed like an undermanned bench in the offseason a strength for Boston.
Given his success with the “stay-ready” group, Van Gundy could be seen as someone worth doling out a massive offer to for rebuilding teams. Whether or not he’d take the Detroit Pistons job is one thing, but there will be teams that’ll see his championship influence on the Cs and reconsider whether or not they have the best possible option on their sidelines.
Stevens and Co. shouldn’t be willing to lose Van Gundy, who may not want the responsibilities of being the head coach any point at this stage of his life. His absence would be notable and it’s likely that other assistants will be plucked away from teams wanting a championship influence.
Money talks, though, and Van Gundy has stayed around the game since his days coaching the New York Knicks in the 1990s. The right offer can sway anyone to step up in a new role, especially someone who has never reached the mountaintop as a head coach himself.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla talks about the value Jeff Van Gundy brings to the organization as a Senior Advisor.
via @ZoandBertrand pic.twitter.com/Je962rONz3
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 20, 2023
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