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Milwaukee Bucks: Examining the offseasons to date of playoff rivals

By Adam McGee

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 16: A close up of the NBA Playoff logo is seen before the game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Wizards during the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 16: A close up of the NBA Playoff logo is seen before the game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Wizards during the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics

Additions: Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum, Aron Baynes, Marcus Morris, Guerschon Yabusele, Daniel Theis, Ante Zizic, Abdel Nader, Semi Ojeleye

Subtractions: Avery Bradley, Amir Johnson, Jonas Jerebko, Kelly Olynyk, Gerald Green, Tyler Zeller, Jordan Mickey, Demetrius Jackson, James Young

Having landed long-term target Gordon Hayward, and selected the player we’re at least being led to believe they had at the top of their draft board, Jayson Tatum, the Celtics will feel happy with their summer’s work.

While many are quick to pencil them in as closing the gap at the top of the conference, there’s reason for concern in Boston too, though.

The Celtics have had a very high turnover offseason, something which is pretty uncharacteristic among the league’s best teams. Boston will enter the new season with all the expectations of being an ascendant force, but they will have to try and deliver with six rookies replacing a host of proven, veteran role players.

Avery Bradley’s departure means Boston have lost their best perimeter defender, and arguably the league’s best, meaning Isaiah Thomas could well look the most vulnerable defensively that he has done in his time as a Celtic.

Other problems remain too, as the Celtics look to set to continue to struggle on the boards.

Better or Worse?: The Celtics should be better due to adding another star, but that could quickly be proven wrong if injuries cause their depth to be tested this season.

Up until this point, Brad Stevens’ Celtics have been a group of role players capable of outperforming their individual abilities as a unit. Now, they’ve shifted to a team that’s going to be increasingly reliant on a star trio of Thomas, Hayward and Horford.

If it all goes wrong in Boston, the Celtics will be left to look back at having misidentified their greatest strength.

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