6. Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics will return for the new season having changed more than any of the teams who will boast homecourt aspirations come playoff time. Considering how their season ended in acrimony and embarrassment against the Bucks, they’ll be hoping that change ultimately proves to be a positive.
Still, the departures of Al Horford and Kyrie Irving can’t simply be glossed over, just as Marcus Morris, Aron Baynes and Terry Rozier playing elsewhere next season will take away from their depth.
Now, Kemba Walker is the star attraction. In personality, that should make for a refreshing change at point guard for all in Boston, but it’s still tough to see a path to the Celtics improving following those changes.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown could take a major step forward, but the reality is the Celtics will need them to if they have intentions of anything beyond 45 wins and a first round exit. The wildcard would be Gordon Hayward looking like his old self in his second year back from injury, but that seems like a long shot based on the evidence of last season.
Perhaps this allows Brad Stevens’ to cultivate the kind of scrappy underdog mentality he had so much success with when he first took over in Boston, but there can be no doubting that the Celtics are facing a much tougher season than they would have been anticipating just a few months ago.