Boston Celtics
Team Outlook-
The Boston Celtics finished the 2015-2016 season with a 48-34 record placing them as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics lost in the first round of the playoffs 4-2 games to the Atlanta Hawks. The Celtics made a splash during free agency by signing Al Horford to a four-year deal. Horford will be a good fit with the Celtics, who haven’t had an elite presence in the frontcourt for many years. The Horford signing boosts the Celtics to one of the top teams in the East. The Celtics have re-built their team over the past few seasons to focus on depth and defense. They have players on their roster who can play multiple positions, which creates versatility for the team. For fantasy, team minutes are often spread out but there will be opportunities during the season where you can find value at every position. The Celtics should finish right behind the Cleveland Cavaliers at the top of the Eastern Conference Standings.
Projected Starting Lineup
Point Guard- Isaiah Thomas-
Isaiah Thomas developed into an All-Star last season averaging a career-high 22.2 points/per game and 6.2 assists/per game in 32.2 minutes/per game. Thomas had a spike with his shot attempts reaching a career-high 16.9 attempts/per game. Expect him to maintain his production with the addition of Al Horford. Thomas started working on his diet for the first time in his career this offseason. For fantasy, Thomas often has a high floor/high ceiling depending on the matchup.
Shooting Guard- Avery Bradley -
Avery Bradley had the best season of his 6-year career averaging a career-high 15.2 points/per game, a career-high 2.1 assists/per game, and a career-high 1.5 steals/per game in a career-high 33.4 minutes/per game last year. Bradley is one of the best defensive options in the NBA. When his shot is dropping, Bradley is a value at the Shooting Guard position because he consistently fills up the other categories on the stat sheet.
Small Forward- Jae Crowder-
Jae Crowder took a massive leap forward last season averaging 14.2 points/per game, 5.1 rebounds/per game, in 31.6 minutes/per game. Crowder started last season on a tear with some massive games. With the loss of Evan Turner, Jae Crowder is the top option at Small Forward for the Celtics. Coach Brad Stevens said there will be times when Crowder moves to the Power Forward position this season.
Power Forward- Amir Johnson-
The Celtics picked up the option on Amir Johnson at $12 million for this season. With the loss of Jared Sullinger, the team felt they needed to keep him. Johnson projects to start some guys next to Al Horford and he will come off the bench at other times during the season in favor of Kelly Olynyk. Johnson is an inconsistent option for fantasy.
Center- Al Horford-Al Horford agreed to a four-year $113 million deal with the Celtics. Coach Brad Stevens said that Horford “fits well with how the team plays.” Over the past 9 seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, he averaged 14.3 points/per game, 8.9 rebounds/per game, 2.7 assists/per game, and 1.2 blocks/per game in 33.5 minutes/per game. Horford has been one of the most consistent big men in the NBA. Celtics GM said that Horford will be asked to play both Center and Power Forward this season. For fantasy, expect Horford to continue to be a top option at the Center position.
Key Bench Players
Marcus Smart-PG, SG, SF- Expect third-year player, Marcus Smart, to continue to develop his game this season. Smart is one of the top backcourt defensive players in the NBA. Smart is a streaky shooter which makes him more of a GPP option for DFS. He does a good job filling up the secondary areas of the stat sheet. Last season, Smart averaged 9.1 points/per game, 4.2 rebounds/per game, 3.0 rebounds/per game, and 1.5 steals/per game in 27.3 minutes/per game. Smart should see an increase in minutes off the bench this season with the loss of Evan Turner. Monitor his minutes and price early in the season as be is a top candidate to break out in fantasy this season.
Kelly Olynyk-C, PF- Kelly Olynyk will have some games where he starts at Power Forward and some games where he comes off the bench. Olynyk had right shoulder surgery this past May so he may play limited minutes during the early part of the season. Monitor Olynyk’s minutes as he is occasionally in-play as a low-priced DFS option.
Terry Rozier-PG, SG- Second-year player, Terry Rozier, will have an impact with the second unit of the Celtics. The organization is high on the talent of Rozier. Coach Brad Stevens said his improvement this year “just stands out right now.” Rozier will take the next step forward but isn’t a reliable fantasy option unless he gets enough minutes.
Tyler Zeller-C- Tyler Zeller re-signed with the Celtics for a two-year $16 million deal. Zeller is bench depth behind Al Horford and Kelly Olynyk.
Jonas Jerebko-PF, SF- The Celtics picked up the option on Jonas Jerebko at $5 million for this season. Jerebko will be backup depth in the backcourt for the Celtics. He will not be a DFS option unless the Celtics have multiple injuries.
Jaylen Brown-SF, PF- The Celtics surprised many by selecting Jaylen Brown, Small Forward from California, with the 3rd pick in the NBA draft. Coach Brad Stevens recently said that Brown will play a lot of Power Forward minutes when the team goes small. For fantasy, take a wait and see approach with Brown to see what his role on the team will be.
Key Offseason Acquisitions
Gerald Green-SG- Gerald Green agreed to a one-year veteran’s minimum deal with the Celtics. Green was inconsistent last season in Miami averaging only 8.9 points/per game in 22.6 minutes/per game. He will have a limited role in the offense if he makes the 15-man roster.
Key Offseason Departures
Evan Turner-SF- Evan Turner agreed to a four-year, $70 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers this offseason. Turner has a history of being a streaky player. Turner set a career-high 45.6% Field Goal Percentage in 28 minutes/per game last season.
Jared Sullinger-PF- Jared Sullinger agreed to a one-year $6 million deal with the Toronto Raptors. Sullinger split time in the Celtics frontcourt last season averaging only 23.6 minutes/per game. The Celtics were willing to move on from Sullinger after signing Al Horford.
