There is zero doubt that the Boston Celtics are better on the perimeter today than they were on early Sunday morning with the acquisition of Jrue Holiday. To get something valuable one must give up something valuable.
What the Celtics sacrificed to acquire Holiday was roster depth and interior toughness. The Boston Celtics possessed one of the deepest rosters in the NBA last season. One of their biggest strengths is now a glaring weakness going into training camp.
Brogdon is a versatile combo guard off the bench who provided shooting and could easily start if needed. He could provide valuable minutes for either Marcus Smart or Derrick White. Brogdon was also featured in three-guard lineups. The depth and flexibility the Celtics had at the guard spot is now gone.
The health of center Robert Williams III was a key for the Celtics heading into last season’s playoffs. Williams provided energy and did all the dirty work inside. He was a good rebounder and was Boston’s lone shot-blocking threat.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla could either start Williams or bring him off the bench to spell the now 37-year-old Al Horford. Horford is a player who provides strength and toughness inside. However, he is no longer the same shot-blocking threat nor has the footspeed that he once had.
Mazzulla and the Celtics no longer have a defensive threat inside and have one less able rebounder. Despite being 7th in the NBA last season, the Celtics struggled to get defensive rebounds in key moments during last season’s Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat.
That isn’t expected to improve with Kristaps Porzingis. He has averaged 7.9 rebounds per game over his career despite being 7-3.
Porzingis has also been injury-prone over the course of his career. He averaged a career-high 23.2 points per game last season in 65 games with the Washington Wizards. The 65 games were the most he has played in a season since the 2016-17 season – when he played in 66 contests.
Boston is relying on a frontcourt of Porzingis and Horford. The only other “big” on the roster right now is Luke Kornet. That would make me nervous as a Celtics fan. Who’s going to guard guys like Giannis, Bam Adebayo, and Joel Embiid in the playoffs? Where’s the depth to take them on?
Stevens could add a free-agent big at the veteran’s minimum during camp. Nerlens Noel, Meyers Leonard, and Bismack Biyombo come to mind. Dwight Howard and DeMarcus Cousins are free agents too.
Brad Stevens should make at least one more move. Jrue Holiday can’t guard EVERYONE.