The Boston Celtics didn’t hesitate to promote Brad Stevens from his head coaching duties to be team president of basketball operations in June of 2021, succeeding Danny Ainge after his brief retirement.

Stevens spent eight seasons as the head coach of the team, advancing to the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons, including three trips to the Eastern Conference Finals in three out of four years from 2017 to 2020.

It would’ve been a challenge to have found a more qualified candidate than Stevens to have become the next GM of the team; he’s spent more time around this group than anyone in the organization or around the NBA.

Let’s take a look at everything Stevens has done since becoming GM just under three-years ago:

First Move

The first move Stevens made was to shed some salary and balance the personnel on his roster, which he did by trading Kemba Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Al Horford. This saved Boston $9 million and brought back an essential piece to the team.

Coaching

With Stevens in the front office, Boston needed a new head coach. He hired Ime Udoka, who led the team to the NBA Finals in his first year as a head coach. But after one season, Stevens had to fire Udoka due to breaking team rules. He then promoted Joe Mazzulla, which has been a great decision as well.

Trade Deadline

The addition of Derrick White in 2022 is one of the greatest trades in franchise history. Stevens cleaned up the roster by trading Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, and a 2022 first round pick with a first round pick swap in 2028.

Mike Muscala was a nice pickup in 2023. He provided depth in the frontcourt and was able to shoot the roof off the building. He averaged 5.9 points and 3.4 rebounds in 20-games that year. Muscala was part of the three team trade that the Celtics manufactured to get Kristaps Porzingis.

At the 2024 deadline, Stevens acquired Xavier Tillman and Jaden Springer. Tillman is on the books for $1.9 million with a team option for 2024-25. He provides frontcourt depth and can have a role in Boston moving forward similar to Al Horford.

Springer is the interesting addition. Although he’s skilled defensively, he has plenty of room to grow on offense and allow the game to slow down for him. He’s only 21-years-old and is on the books through the 2024-25 season.

The idea of adding Tillman and Springer was a move for the future. Since Boston is a second apron team, they have limitations on how they can retool their roster. Stevens is hoping for them both to be long term pieces that he got at a discount.

Other Moves

• Re-signed Luke Kornet, Sam Hauser, and Payton Pritchard to team friendly deals.
• Added Malcolm Brogdon.
• Traded Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis, received two first round picks.
• Re-signed Porzingis to team-friendly deal.
• Re-signed Jaylen Brown to a supermax.
• Traded Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams for Jrue Holiday.
• Re-signed Jrue Holiday.
• Drafted JD Davison and Jordan Walsh.
• Signed a high-upside player in DJ Steward to Maine.
• Converted Neemias Queta to a standard contract in Boston.
• Traded Grant Williams for a future second round pick.
• Allowed Mazzulla to select his own staff, brought in Charles Lee and Sam Cassell.

Stevens hasn’t hesitated once to improve his team since being named GM. Not only is he focusing on this current season, but also making moves that will benefit the Celtics in the future.

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Photo Credit: Nathaniel S. Butler, NBAE Getty Images