10 Boston Celtics-centric thoughts after the Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis deals

The primary and second dominos have fallen.

The Celtics kicked off what is going to probably be a busy few weeks by buying and selling Jrue Vacation to the Blazers in change for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks.

Then they dealt Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round decide to the Hawks and bought Georges Niang and a second-rounder as a part of a three-team deal.

In an ideal world, the Celtics would have stored Vacation and Porzingis for a number of extra years. The truth, nonetheless, is that it wasn’t possible. I wouldn’t argue with you should you gave these trades an A or a C, however I personally give the Vacation one a B+ and the Porzingis one a B from Boston’s perspective.

With that in thoughts, listed here are 10 ideas on the trades and the state of the group transferring ahead.

1. A second for the Vacation and Derrick White backcourt.

To not be a downer, however there’s a reasonably strong probability you’re by no means going to get pleasure from watching one other Celtics backcourt as a lot as you appreciated watching Vacation and Derrick White.

Their kinds meshed completely, they made one another higher and so they had a knack for offering precisely what the sport wanted in tandem.

It appears fairly probably White is staying in Boston, however Vacation might be missed.

2. Vacation is the last word stabilizer.

The larger the second, the extra probably it’s Vacation will depart his imprint.

The time period “lacking piece” is thrown round loads in sports activities, however that’s precisely what he was. His poise and a spotlight to element turned an ideal group into an invincible one. With out Vacation, there’s nearly definitely no Banner 18.

You may’t actually substitute a man like that. His time in Boston was brief, but it surely was extremely significant. He represented the franchise the best means and was the last word teammate.

3. It ought to give White much more of a key position.

It’s not all bleak. With Vacation out of the image, White could have the ball in his arms much more. That’s a superb factor.

White performed a few of his finest basketball final 12 months, and it’s truthful to anticipate an excellent higher season from him this 12 months. His taking pictures splits could go down a bit, however his numbers ought to go up.

It could be enjoyable to see him because the definitive second or third choice on a nightly foundation, versus just a few video games.

4. What about this Simons man?

Simons can hoop. Two years in the past, he averaged 22.6 factors, 5.5 assists and three.6 rebounds per recreation, whereas taking pictures 38.5 p.c from 3-point vary and 91.6 p.c from the road.

He’s a shifty, scrappy and extremely expert participant who simply turned 26 and remains to be getting higher. Simons will assist them keep aggressive with Jayson Tatum out, then as soon as Tatum is again, they’ll reassess and resolve whether or not it’s price retaining Simons long run.

He suits in stylistically and may give you 20 or so an evening and hit powerful photographs in crunch time. Tommy Heinsohn would love Simons as a result of he performs downhill, seems to be to run and is at all times in assault mode.

This nugget from statistician Dick Lipe is illuminating.

5. Simons additionally has loopy hops, however protection is a legit query mark.

Don’t let his dimension (6’3) idiot you…Simons is likely one of the finest dunkers within the league.

Sure, it’s true, he received the 2021 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. No, it wasn’t the most effective dunk contest of all-time, however he had some fairly strong ones individually. He could posterize the opponent now and again out of nowhere.

Simons is a subpar defender, however he definitely has the expertise and athleticism to develop in that space.

Generally taking part in on a nasty group brings out gamers’ worst tendencies, and taking part in on a superb group typically brings out the most effective in that very same participant. He’ll most likely by no means make an all-defensive group, but it surely’s extra probably than not he’ll enhance in that space taking part in in Boston.

6. Porzingis gave every part he had for this metropolis.

There’s by no means been a participant I’ve modified my view on extra from earlier than his time with the Celtics to the tip of his time with the Celtics.

Porzgingis’ vitality is infectious. He brings out the most effective in these round him, is likely one of the finest 7-foot shooters of all-time and has critical coronary heart. It was a brief stint, crammed with some anticipated up and downs injury-wise, however an exquisite one nonetheless.

He’s the last word teammate, will do something for his folks and is a real winner. There’s probably no Banner 18 with out him.

7. Might this imply extra Luke Kornet transferring ahead?

Don’t be stunned to see Luke Kornet log 25 to half-hour an evening subsequent 12 months. He’s at all times been strong, however he actually hit one other stage final 12 months and seems to at residence in Boston.

It appears probably Al Horford will keep as effectively, but it surely’s exhausting to ensure something at this level. Or this might merely be two small strikes resulting in a a lot, a lot larger one. It’s all a guessing recreation.

8. It’s a homecoming for Georges Niang.

Lawrence’s personal, George “Bang Bang” Niang, is coming residence to play for the Celtics.

Niang has shot 40 p.c or higher from 3 every of the previous few seasons. Don’t underestimate his stroke and Mazzulla Ball paired collectively. It may very well be fairly candy.

I believe Brown will like taking part in with him, and I believe he’d mesh notably effectively with Tatum. It’s attainable he’ll be right here only one season, or perhaps even sooner or later, however I believe it’s a superb match.

It might additionally signify the tip of Sam Hauser’s time in Boston, however we will see.

9. The place are they now, and the place do they go from right here?

The Celtics ought to most likely goal wings and bigs from right here on out. Anybody may very well be traded at any second, however White, Simons, Payton Pritchard, Baylor Scheierman and JD Davison ought to fill the 5 guard spots properly.

It’s exhausting to think about the Celtics contending for a title with out Tatum, and it’s exhausting to think about them falling off a cliff with Brown nonetheless on the roster.

Someplace round 46-36 and the 4 or 5-seed with this present group feels about proper. With that mentioned, they’re nearly definitely not accomplished. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see if Brad Stevens tries to go all in with out Tatum or if he takes a extra big-picture method and hits the pause button for a 12 months. My guess is someplace within the center.

10. Change will be exhausting.

I’ve mentioned it earlier than, however I actually hope you continue to cherish that 2024 title. Clearly the objective is to win one other, and I guess they may get yet another in some unspecified time in the future, but it surely appears fairly unlikely it is going to be this coming season.

That’s OK. Benefit from the trip, respect the wins and hold supporting the group you like. The Celtics will not be a wagon subsequent 12 months, however they’ll nonetheless nearly positively be enjoyable to observe and within the combine.