What Should Brad Steven’s Do Next?

By: Steve Atkinson

Following the Marcus Smart trade that landed them Kristaps Porzingis where does Brad Steven’s go from here? The Celtics can’t be done adding and subtracting from their roster. Where does Malcolm Brogdon end up? Back with the team that just tried to trade him? Maybe, if nobody wants to take him in a trade because of his medical issue. I asked Dan Polykoff and TEAM NBS own Melo Williams on what they think Steven’s should do next. You can follow Dan Polykoff on Twitter @daniel_polykoff. and Melo Williams @_melowilliams.

What More Changes Will Brad Steven’s Make

Dan:

I think the pipe dream target would be Dejounte Murray for the Celtics which would involve trading Brogdon, Grant S/T and a couple first round picks. I think realistically the two targets’ Brads going to try for Cole Anthony/Markele Fultz. (Because since the magic drafted Antohny Black 6th they need to move a guard). or the bring in Alex Caruso to replicate smarts defensive versatility and roll with White/Brog/PP.

Melo:

“Brad Stevens’s next order of business should be to let Blake Griffin and Grant Williams walk. Sign Kevin Love in free agency for a one-year deal. Outside of free agency business, Stevens must meet with Jaylen Brown one on one and figure things out with him going forward and do whatever it takes to resign him.”

I agree with Melo and think the Celtics will get rid of Grant Williams and probably Blake Griffin. I also agree with Dan that the Celtics could try for Cole Anthony or Fultz. Brad also needs to make sure Jaylen Brown is committed to signing the supermax. The Celtics trading Smart had to be done in order to fully concentrate on Tatum and Brown. Samrt was getting in the way of that with his off the court press conferences and, on the court, as well.

Brad Steven’s didn’t like the narratives surrounding the Brogdon trade news.

Malcolm’s really important and that really, that was tough,” Stevens said in an interview with NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg. “He certainly doesn’t deserve that, and I feel for him. We’ve talked obviously since then. There are a lot of narratives out there because of that that are certainly inaccurate.”“The bottom line is, he’s going through a period of four-to-eight weeks where he’s resting and rehabbing, as suggested by our docs and as suggested the third-party doc he went to see,” Stevens said. “He feels good, and we expect him to be back right at the start of the season and have the great year that he’s had every year he’s been in the league.”

Brogdon like Smart spoke up this postseason but pretty much said the truth about the Celtics not playing enough defense this year.

“It was the issue I think this was a team in the last year that prided themselves on defense. I think defense was our calling card. This year, offense was our calling card. I don’t think you can win championships with a high — with a better offense than you have defense.”

Brogdon however said the truth even though he was here for five minutes, while Smart wasn’t staying in his lane. This will be a true test for Tatum and Brown there’s nobody in the way anymore and I don’t think Steven’s is done adding and subtracting from the roster. No doubt this team will be different come October.