The Boston Celtics have emerged as a formidable force in the NBA’s 2023-24 season, boasting the league’s second-best winning percentage and highest overall net rating so far this season. However, even with a stacked starting unit in their pursuit of championship glory, the team is not without its concerns and weaknesses that could impact their performance as the season progresses further.
One prominent issue for the Celtics is their depth (or rather the lack of it) beyond the deadly starting lineup. The first five, featuring stars like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and the defensive menace some call the “Stock Exchange” — guards Jrue Holiday and Derrick White — is a powerhouse with top-tier talent. However, the drop-off in quality becomes evident after Al Horford and perhaps Sam Hauser off the bench.
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley recently weighed in on Boston’s paper-thin bench, noting that “Boston’s first five is overloaded with talent.”
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“Jayson Tatum is a perennial MVP candidate,” adds the B/R NBA analyst. “Jaylen Brown is an All-Star. Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday have previously booked All-Star trips.
“Derrick White is an all-league defender with a well-rounded offensive skill set. Tack on Al Horford—a five-time All-Star in his own right—and you’re looking at the league’s best top six.”
Where does Boston's Jayson Tatum rank in the league's best one-on-one players? https://t.co/e3M750r0uP pic.twitter.com/VuiJNe0SNv
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 12, 2023
“Push past that group, though, and things get spotty in a hurry,” Buckley argues.
“Sam Hauser is a high-level shooter, but that’s about the extent of his contributions. Payton Pritchard’s splash rates have tanked in his first season as a rotation regular. Luke Kornet doesn’t have much utility outside of the restricted area. Oshae Brissett and Dalano Banton haven’t supplied enough offense to crack the rotation.”
The Celtics may not need more than a seven-player rotation come playoff time, but this bench might need a boost between now and the deadline to make significant contributions in the regular season,” opines the author.
'I'm not doing enough' to win a title, says Boston's Jayson Tatum https://t.co/QMkgSGcL4u pic.twitter.com/sUrC09d7wc
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 12, 2023
And as good as the Celtics have been, a higher level of competency for their third big and some potential injury insurance on the wing are two areas where Boston could make some comparatively minor moves that could pay off big come the playoffs.
Don’t expect more blockbuster moves — but for the reasons Buckley notes, some moves around the margins to address that lack of bench depth could very well be coming before the NBA’s 2024 trade deadline.
Boston Celtics set to start what could be their toughest stretch of 2023-24 https://t.co/TuctRjqLsy pic.twitter.com/AqTWNyQJMJ
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 11, 2023
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