To further strengthen the walls of her team, Joe Mazzulla has formally announced the addition of another terrifying witch.
The Boston Celtics had an eventful 2023 NBA offseason.
Their roster shuffle had ten times the impact compared to its lack of volume. The most seasoned player and sensitive leader, Marcus Smart, is no longer with us. Kristaps Porziņģis, a unicorn big who blocks shots and shreds nets, is in.
Boston made small adjustments to the margin aside from that blockbuster, which also made Jaylen Brown extremely wealthy and allowed Grant Williams to leave as a restricted free agent. Although this team has a distinct new vibe, it is still very much the same.
What can we anticipate from the team’s main newcomers, the Celtics? We’ll make three audacious predictions in response to that query.
Kristaps Porziņģis Makes His All-Star Return
ONE OF THREE
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 28: On March 28, 2023, at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics. REMEMBER ME, USER: The user specifically acknowledges and agrees that the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement are accepted by the user by downloading and/or using this photograph. Required Notice of Copyright: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Image sourced from Getty Images by Stephen Gosling/NBAE)
Getty Images/Stephen Gosling/NBAE
During the 2017-18 season, Porziņģis, then a third-year player, made the first of seemingly many All-Star appearances. Since then, he hasn’t returned to the best pickup game in the world because injuries have plagued him in almost every season.
But the 28-year-old managed to stay healthy enough to play in 65 games last season, which is his most since 2016–17, and he showed everyone just how dominant he can be when his body plays along.
He set a new career high with 23.2 points per game. His second-best splash rate was 38.5 three-point percentage. He now has the third-most rebounds (8.5). And these were no meaningless statistics. The Washington Wizards outperformed them in terms of net differential only after that All-Star season, with his floor presence accounting for 6.2 points per 100 possessions.
The only thing Porziņģis was missing last season was team success. There won’t be any problems checking that box in Boston because over the last four seasons, the Celtics have won the fifth-most games in the league. He’s currently dealing with a foot injury, but it’s not expected to be serious, so as long as he stays healthy, he could have the stats, prominence, and spotlight required to finally make his All-Star comeback.
Dalano Banton Signs Up for Rotation 2 OF 3
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 14: On July 14, 2023, at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada, Dalano Banton #43 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during the 2023 NBA Las Vegas Summer League. NOTE TO USER: By downloading and/or using this image, User explicitly understands and accepts that User is agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Required Notice of Copyright: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Image sourced from Getty Images by Bart Young/NBAE)
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In Boston, Dalano Banton has very little guaranteed. According to Spotrac, even his $2 million salary is only assured for $200,000 until opening night.
Making the roster is just the beginning of his difficulties. The 23-year-old will then have to make his way through a packed backcourt group in an attempt to get into the starting lineup. However, don’t discount that. Because of his length, defensive versatility, and open-court attacking ability, there is definitely a universe in which he becomes a nightly regular.
The president of the Celtics, Brad Stevens, told reporters that Dalano had a chance to be a good player. “He has an excellent sense of the game. It is evident that he needs to get a little bit stronger and improve his shot, but those things can take time.”
Banton might not face as many challenges as it first seems if he demonstrates some of that growth. Payton Pritchard still needs to show that he’s more than just a shooting specialist, and Malcolm Brogdon can’t seem to get over his injury problems.
This could be a window of opportunity, and Banton might be quick to seize it.
Jordan Walsh Makes the Third-of-Three All-Rookie Team
LAS VEGAS, NV-JULY 15: On July 15, 2023, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics watches during the 2023 NBA Las Vegas Summer League game against the Orlando Magic. REMEMBER ME, USER: The user hereby explicitly agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement by downloading and/or using this photograph. Required Notice of Copyright: Copyright 2023 NBAE (image courtesy of Getty Images, David Dow/NBAE)
David Dow via Getty Images; NBAE.
Although it’s naturally difficult for second-round picks to make the All-Rookie team, the journey is by no means insurmountable. Indeed, the previous campaign was the first in the previous five to feature only first-round selections on the All-Rookie teams.
Why can’t the next second-round pick to have that kind of impact be Jordan Walsh?
Though there are many reasons why it might not happen, such as Boston’s depth in the frontcourt and his need for offensive experience, his fierce defense and explosive athleticism could get him enough playing time to win over supporters. The 19-year-old is the kind of player who can create magic every single night with his sneaky-good passing, elite motor, defensive playmaking, and transition play.
With three excellent big men, including the aging Al Horford and the chronically injured Porziņďis and Robert Williams III, the Celtics have few options behind their all-star team.
