BOSTON — Who knows if that’s going to happen, but the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors will be good enough to return to the NBA Finals next season.
Either way, they’ll have an impact on the East and West rankings.
But don’t expect either team to maintain the status quo.
The Celtics need improvement both inside and out, and Warriors general manager Bob Myers has shown a penchant for tinkering with the team’s roster.
Both conferences are getting deeper and harder, especially in the West, and a return to the Finals isn’t inevitable. The last team to reach the Finals in a row was the Golden State Warriors in 2018 and 2019.
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Celtics seek consistency
Next season the East should be strong again, with Milwaukee, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Miami. The Celtics should be there. They are solid in terms of players, salary, coaching staff, front office and resources.
President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens and coach Ime Udoka proved themselves in the first seasons of their new roles. Stevens hired Udoka, traded Al Horford in the offseason and Derrick White at the February trade deadline.
Former Boston president of basketball operations Danny Ainge was instrumental in shaping the team, but Stevens was in charge of player development during his tenure as coach (Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Grant Williams Williams and Robert Williams). His influential imprint.
So what’s next for Boston? What brought the Celtics to the next level?
The Celtics need consistency more than any major roster change. Their offense had highs and many lows against the Golden State Warriors. Part of that could be corrected by improvements from players already on the roster.
Some of them are age and experience related. Tatum and Brown have entered a part of their careers, and this inconsistency (in the name of turnover) should go away. Unpacking defensive conundrums and decisions should be easier next season.
The Celtics are not facing major contract issues. All key players (Tatum, Brown, Smart, Horford, White, Robert Williams, Grant Williams and Peyton Pritchard) are under contract for next season. But Brown can re-sign, which is an interesting part of Boston’s salary cap situation.
They are expected to pass the luxury tax threshold next season, which limits their performance in free agency. Boston, however, can spend $6.3 million on taxpayers’ mid-level exception, and it has three significant transaction exceptions — $17.1 million, $9.7 million, and $6.9 million. The first two expire in July, but give the Celtics a chance to acquire a quality player.
Adding 3-pointers and perimeter defense will help guards and wings. The Celtics, without a first-round pick in Thursday’s draft, have the No. 1 defense and they have Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart. Tatum and Brown are solid defenders, and Horford and Robert Williams are excellent rim protectors. Grant Williams has defensive versatility. Giving Udoka more depth/options would help.
Competition will cost Warriors
Warriors core Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins will return next season for $148 million. The Warriors are well past the luxury-tax threshold for next season and have several free-agent decisions to make.
Kevon Looney, Otto Porter Jr., Gary Payton II, Nemanja Bjelica and Andrew Iguodala are among several free agents for the Warriors. The Warriors can also use their taxpayer mid-level exception for $6.3 million next season.
Golden State ownership has shown a willingness to pay the luxury tax as long as it has a championship-caliber team. How much luxury tax are Joe Lacob and Peter Guber willing to pay? Salaries aside, it could be closer to $100 million. Tournaments can be expensive, but in the end it’s worth it.
The Warriors have the No. 28 pick in the draft, and their front office picks well — even with lower picks (Draymond Green at No. 35 and Jordan Poole at No. 28). Additionally, the Warriors are expected to have a healthy James Wiseman next season. The center was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft but played in just 39 games, all in his rookie season. The Golden State Warriors also hope that 2021 No. 7 forward Jonathan Cuminga can expand his game.
Regardless of their roster, the Warriors and Celtics have enough key players back to remain contenders.
