Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

NBA: 6 teams facing the most pressure to finally win the championship in 2023-24

By Manolis Olandezos

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 05: Devin Booker #1 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns celebrate during Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 05, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nuggets 121-114. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 05: Devin Booker #1 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns celebrate during Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 05, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nuggets 121-114. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 7
Next
Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla and Jayson Tatum (David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports) /

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics surprised everyone by essentially trading longtime guard and former NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart, for Kristaps Porzingis in a bold move. Smart was a leader in the Celtics locker room. Porzingis has missed 167 games in the past four seasons due to injury. That and Smart’s potential replacement, Malcolm Brogdon, may have a more serious wrist injury than initially expected.

Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens has seen his team make nine straight playoff appearances. Four saw Boston get eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals. One, 2022, saw the Celtics reach the NBA Finals where they lost to Golden State in six games.

Boston’s ownership has given Stevens the green light to go into the tax to retain its young core and remain a contender. He recently signed Jaylen Brown to a 5-year $304 million extension. The Celtics core, which now includes Porzingis, is all now under contract through next season.

Al Horford is 37. Jayson Tatum will soon need an extension. He will cost more than Brown. The Celtics bench, once a strength, is now a question mark. Boston is projected to be deep in the luxury tax for the next two seasons. How long will ownership allow Stevens to keep paying luxury tax if they don’t win?

Home/NBA News