Boston

Celtics

Queta enjoyed a breakout season for Boston last year, averaging 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. That was enough for him to earn a contract that will keep him around until for the remainder of the decade. The Celtics added Mitchell Robinson this summer, so Queta will likely split the minutes down low with him, though Queta should be the incumbent starter. He was a top-75 player in nine-category scoring last season in just 25.3 minutes per game, which is certainly a realistic role for him to play while splitting minutes with Robinson.

Robinson’s deal includes a player option in the third season. The 28-year-old center is coming off winning a championship with the Knicks as the organization’s longest-tenured player. Now Robinson will call Boston home for at least the next two season. The Celtics desperately needed help in the frontcourt and the addition of Robinson helps address that need. It’s no surprise the Knicks didn’t elect to sign Robinson given the team’s cap situation the organization’s desire to avoid the second apron. Robinson will go into the Celtic’s mid-level exception and Boston will be hard capped to the first apron.

Appearing on ESPN’s First Take Wednesday morning, Charania said the Celtics are strongly shopping Brown and have discussed offers with 8-10 teams in the last several days. This comes on the heels of the Athletic’s Sam Amick reporting earlier this week that Boston will have to lower its asking price to move Brown. Maybe the Celtics are heading in that direction after making players like Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman untouchable in trade talks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Charania reiterated that Brown hasn’t requested trade, though it would be surprising if he’s not traded this offseason.

Conley’s contract will pay him the veteran minimum. His arrival in Boston puts an end to a four-year tenure in Minnesota during which he averaged 9.0 points, 4.6 assists and shot 41 percent from behind the three-point line. Conley will serve as guard depth with the Celtics behind Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.

Brown is coming off the best individual season of his NBA career, most of which was played without Jayson Tatum as he worked his way back from a ruptured Achilles tendon. Despite past evidence that the two can work together, most notably the 2024 NBA title, Brown’s name has come up in trade rumors, with the Celtics even offering him and two future first-round picks to the Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, while it would be surprising if Brown were not traded, given the rumors, the Celtics are reportedly asking for up to four first-round picks and players. Portland, one team that has been mentioned in connection with Brown, acquired Ja Morant on Monday, and their interest in JB was described as “moderate, at best.” The question is whether the Celtics will be willing to lower their asking price enough to get a deal done, which may also mean that they’re losing out on value.

To get the deal done, the Celtics declined Harper’s $2.6 million option. He appeared in 29 games last season, 18 more than his first three NBA seasons combined. In those appearances, Harper averaged 4.2 points and 1.7 rebounds in 11.8 minutes. The new deal gives Harper added security, but he’s unlikely to affect fantasy basketball next season.

Appearing on the Dan LeBatard Show Thursday morning, Windhorst came right out and said he believes the most important thing in the league right now is that the Celtics have decided they need to trade Brown to be competitive. This comes on the heels of reports that the Timberwolves discussed trading for Brown before they acquired LaMelo Ball as well as a report that the Celtics would even consider trading Brown for young players, picks and pick swaps. While the Celtics have tried to trade Brown for other stars in the past, the asking price might be a little different this offseason. After finishing sixth in MVP voting and making All-NBA second-team last year, the former Finals MVP’s days in Boston could be numbered.

A highly regarded recruit out of high school who played his first two seasons at Texas, Mitchell would move on to play one season apiece at Cincinnati and St. John’s. A disruptive defender and capable facilitator, he averaged 8.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks per game for the Red Storm this season. However, while the defensive ability and playmaking are positives, Mitchell has a lot of work to do to improve his shot. In addition to shooting 19.3 percent from three for his career, he was a 48.8 percent shooter from the foul line. Boston has already had a success story with a defensive-minded wing that struggled to shoot with Jordan Walsh. This is a solid spot for Mitchell to land, though early on, he may not be much more than an occasional rotation piece for defensive minutes.

There were some questions regarding Cenac’s motor before he entered college, and playing for Kelvin Sampson at Houston was an excellent way to address that. Making 36 starts in his lone college season, the 6-foot-11 forward/center averaged 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks in 24.8 minutes, shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 62.1 percent from the foul line. While his current athleticism and competitiveness as a rebounder and defender are why Cenac is a first-round pick, his long-term value will be determined by how much progress he can make offensively. Boston has decent depth at center, with Neemias Queta leading the group. Cenac will get time to develop in Boston, though he likely won’t play much of a role early on.

Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up on Tuesday morning, Charania reported that the Celtics were unwilling to include young players like Hugo González and Baylor Scheierman or add additional draft picks or pick swaps in their offer to the Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. While there was some speculation before the trade that González could be considered untouchable given the Celtics’ internal opinion of him, Charania said Boston simply believed their offer of Jaylen Brown and two unprotected first-round picks to be an aggressive offer. Apparently it wasn’t aggressive enough for the Bucks, who chose to accept Heat’s offer, which included more young players and draft picks.