The Boston Celtics May Have Thrown Away Their Shot

Their assets are impressive, but are starting to lose some of their luster

BREAKING: The Boston Celtics did absolutely nothing at the trade deadline (again). Choosing not to deal one (or both) of the upcoming Brooklyn Picks to acquire a star player like Jimmy Butler or Paul George, Boston seems content to keep their current core together as the postseason nears. By all accounts the team started plenty of discussions, but never actually pulled the trigger.

I get it, I really do. These next two drafts are a treasure trove, and the picks that the Celtics have could net a future superstar. But by opting not to pursue a top-10 talent at the trade deadline, Boston is ultimately mortgaging much of its core. All the great deals that Danny Ainge signed will be long off the books by the time these draft picks turn into good players, and the rest of the current core that makes this team so fun to watch will be aged out as well.

Al Horford, Isaiah Thomas, and the collection of Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart, and Jae Crowder are all really good players, and the perception that the Celtics are one piece away isn’t far off the mark. Butler or George might not immediately push the Celtics past the Cavaliers, but that potential conference finals series could be incredibly fun to watch. Now, Boston may not even get past Washington or Toronto.

The current-vs-future equilibrium in the NBA is incredibly difficult to gauge, and I don’t claim to have a better understanding of it than those whose careers hinge on their ability to do so. But from the outside, the Celtics look tenuous and caution, unable to fully commit to the present iteration of their team. Free agency may push Boston to another level, but the team has ensured that the 2016–17 version will cap out in the conference finals.

If the Celtics draft Markelle Fultz (and he turns into a superstar), this may all be moot. But if that doesn’t happen, Boston fans may be stuck asking “what if” in future years.