The Boston Celtics didn’t need to do too much to their roster after advancing to the NBA Finals for a six game series loss with the Warriors. However, a revamp was necessary despite not having essential pieces to move outside of their core group of players.

That’s a challenge Brad Stevens welcomes with open arms. In doing so, he successfully acquired Malcolm Brogdon from the Pacers while cleaning up his roster at the same time. The trade featured Daniel Theis, Aaron Nesmith, and a ‘23 first round pick, along with Nik Stauskas, Malik Fitts and Juwan Morgan.

The Boston Celtics are one of three teams to receive an “A” this offseason from ESPN

After trading for Brogdon, the Celtics then signed veteran forward Danilo Gallinari using the taxpayer mid-level exception. These two acquisitions alone immensely improves Boston and addresses the two major needs Stevens was looking for this offseason: playmaking and consistent shooting.

ESPN’s NBA expert Kevin Pelton grades every team’s offseason transactions, and in doing so he graded the Celtics an “A” for addressing the two holes that Brogdon and Gallinari fill.

“Armed only with their taxpayer midlevel exception and a 2023 first-round pick we can safely expect to fall late in the first round, the Celtics managed to add a pair of veteran contributors to last year’s East champions.”

“Malcolm Brogdon is the big addition, giving Boston a sure-handed playmaker without sacrificing the elements (shooting and size at every position) that made the Celtics so good in the playoffs.”

“Additionally, Danilo Gallinari (signed with the midlevel) gives Boston another shooter and scorer in the frontcourt. Gallinari’s presence will make it easier to lighten the load on Al Horford during the regular season, keeping Horford fresh for the playoffs.”

The additions of Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari enhances the Celtics to run it back to the NBA Finals next season

Pelton is absolutely right by saying Brogdon is the big addition this offseason. A savvy veteran who is an experienced playmaker and can create for himself at the same time. Having Brogdon come off the bench will make Boston a more complete and balanced team.

The addition of Gallinari, as Pelton wrote, should make things easier for Al Horford and allow him to be used more limitedly as to preserve him for the playoffs. Although there might be some truth to that, Gallinari rarely plays center and if he has, this is what he’s said about it: 

“If I’m playing center, that means something went wrong in the game.”

Head coach Ime Udoka has hinted at Gallinari playing center in specific situations. He’s a strong 6-foot-10 power forward that’s made 38.2 percent of his 3-pointers throughout his 14-year career.

The Boston Celtics assembled a 10-man rotation this offseason that is arguably one of the best there is right now in the NBA. It’ll be great to see this offseason come to fruition in October, when the C’s play their first preseason game of the new season.

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