This has been a solid-but-unspectacular moratorium period for the Boston Celtics. They managed to resign their valuable ‘young veterans’, Jae Crowder and Jonas Jerebko, to fair market contracts. They also brought in Amir Johnson on what some may view as a slight overpay, but considering the fact that he is going to bring Boston precisely what they need, I’m not going to argue it.
They still lack the necessary talent and star power to truly contend in a weak Eastern Conference, but if they don’t have the best collection of role players in the NBA, I don’t know who does. We saw what role players were able to do under Brad Stevens’ guidance last season. If they can lure a star or two to Boston, look out.
I’m not going to try and convince you that David Lee is that guy, but it’s hard to argue that trading Gerald Wallace’s contract for Lee isn’t a massive talent win for Boston.
This was a unique transaction, to say the least. Its unique nature is exactly what Danny Ainge has become notorious for. His rosters cap flexibility allows Ainge to be in the right place, at the right time, every time. It’s not an accident.
The Warriors made it known to just about everyone that David Lee was going to be traded this offseason. I’m sure they had hoped the rest of the league would show more interest, because you would never call Gerald Wallace’s contract option #1, but here we are.
Despite being 32 years old and having played limited minutes last season, Lee will enter training camp as one of the Celtics’ most dynamic offensive players. Just one season ago, Lee averaged 18.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on .523 shooting in 33.2 minutes per game. Despite his limited playing time last season, Lee’s statistics weren’t that far off from his career averages once you adjust for the minute differential. His scoring ability will be a welcomed addition to a Celtics team that has struggled with consistent offensive production.
And yet, it’s hard to see where he really fits in with this Celtics roster as currently constituted. You can argue that he’s better than Tyler Zeller, Jared Sullinger, and Kelly Olynyk, but you can also argue that giving Lee minutes over those young, developing players is counterproductive in the long run. Lee’s contract expires at the end of this season, and while it wouldn’t surprise me if the Celtics value Lee’s experience and championship pedigree, ultimately leading to his re-signing in Boston, the point remains the same; this is a one-year run.
We know Ainge likes to wheel and deal. He could rebalance this roster by the start of the season, in which case this issue will cease to exist, but this is where we are today. And regardless of whatever depth chart congestion this trade creates, the talent addition was too good to pass up. You have to make that move 100 times out of 100.
The Celtics weren’t a contender before David Lee, and they certainly aren’t a contender after David Lee. Stevens is going to have to balance how much better Lee makes the team with how much experience and value his young players are losing because of it.
If anyone can find the right balance, it’s Brad Stevens.
