It’s Christmas time in the NBA, and we go team-by-team to explore what should be at the top of each team’s wishlist
Whether you’re spending the next couple of weeks celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa, Festivus or nothing at all, it’s the season for giving. Let’s be honest though, it’s way more fun to receive. NBA teams feel the same way and are undoubtedly taking inventory and trying to see what they can get to improve their situation.
So when every owner and general manager rushes down the stairs on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought them, here is one thing each of them will be *realistically* hoping for:
Atlanta Hawks: Experience
High hopes for the 2019-20 season have been met with a harsh reality crane kick to the stomach of Atlanta Hawks fans everywhere. The Hawks are finding out the frustrating truth that so many teams before them have discovered: It’s near impossible to win in this league with young players.
That doesn’t mean the young players are bad, it just means they need time. So, Hawks fans, embrace your youth movement, hope for good health, and look forward to the years to come when a more seasoned version of this core could possibly be playing in some meaningful games later in the season.
Boston Celtics: Interior defense
1-4, the Boston Celtics have been terrific with Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Gordon Hayward. The issue for them is figuring out what to do with that 5th spot in the lineup, specifically when it’s time to close out games against teams who can dominate the paint.
The committee of Enes Kanter, Daniel Theis, and Robert Williams have actually been serviceable at times, but serviceable isn’t going to win in the playoffs. No rim protection and a possible playoff matchup with Giannis Antetokounmpo or Joel Embiid spell trouble for the Celtics.
A trade might be difficult to pull off given their roster/contract construction, but at a minimum, they need to be active in the buyout market once the time comes.