The Boston Celtics Need to Make These Offseason Moves to Go Back to the Finals

By (Contributor) on May 20, 2011

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 28:  (L-R) Ray Allen #20, Rajon Rondo #9, Kevin Garnett #5, Paul Pierce #34 and Shaquille O'Neal #36 of the Boston Celtics huddle up during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on January 28, 2011 in Phoenix, Ar
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

After a disappointing loss to the Heat this postseason, the Celtics ended their season on a bad note. With all the young teams out there like Oklahoma City, Miami, Chicago and Memphis, the only way the Celtics can stay in playoff contention is to adjust their roster and make it young. Here are several moves the Celtics should make to be back in the Finals next year.

Do Not Re-Sign Shaquille O'Neal

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 19:  Shaquille O'Neal of the Boston Celtics attends NBA All-Star Saturday night presented by State Farm at Staples Center on February 19, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)
Noel Vasquez/Getty Images

Shaq is just to old to continue playing basketball. Next year he is turning 40, and your starting center should not be 40.

The Celtics need to sign a young center to have a chance to going back to the playoffs and Shaq just takes up cap room. Also, his injuries are hurting his stock, so not re-signing him would be good for the C's.

Re-Sign Jeff Green

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 01:  Joe Johnson #2 of the Atlanta Hawks against Jeff Green #8 of the Boston Celtics at Philips Arena on April 1, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Ph
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Although he didn't do everything the Celtics wanted, Jeff Green is an exceptional, young talent. He will be much better off the bench next year because he will have more experience with the Celtics.

The Celtics will also need his speed since their stars are getting older and slower. He is possibly a future starter for the Celtics and will definitely contribute off the bench.

Re-Sign Delonte West and Nenad Krstic

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 22:  Bill Walker #5 of the New York Knicks drives for a shot attempt against Delonte West #13 and Nenad Krstic #4 of the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2011 a
Nick Laham/Getty Images

This move will also help with Boston's bench depth. Delonte West was superb off the bench when he wasn't injured this year. He can shoot, dribble, and can play defense. He is a great signing for us and we need to keep him.

As for Krstic, he was a very underrated player this year and that is why he didn't play much. With his help off the bench, he could provide rebounding and another scoring threat. 

Do Not Re-Sign Glen Davis

BOSTON - JUNE 08:  (L-R) Glen Davis #11 and Sheldon Williams #13 of the Boston Celtics look on from the bench dejected in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Three of the 2010 NBA Finals on June 8, 2010 at TD Garden in Boston, Massac
Elsa/Getty Images

Glen Davis was fantastic this regular season, then the playoffs came and he was absolutely terrible. He couldn't make a shot, his defense was awful, and he just wasn't the same Baby we loved last playoffs.

Another reason Boston shouldn't sign him is because he takes up cap room that we could be using for more talent. Sorry, but Shrek and Donkey will be no more.

Sign Nene

DENVER, CO - APRIL 23:  Nene #31 of the Denver Nuggets scores against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on April 23, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expres
Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

Nene would be a perfect fit for the Celtics. He is a young, talented center and could be a key contributor for the Celtics with his rebounding and scoring skills. This would be a great pickup by the Celtics. 

Sign Wilson Chandler or JR Smith

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 24:  Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics controls the ball against Ty Lawson #3, Wilson Chandler #21 and J.R. Smith #5 of the Denver Nuggets as head coach Doc Rivers of the Celtics looks on during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on F
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

With no good help at backup shooting guard, the Celtics need help here. Wilson Chandler can provide speed, shooting, and youth for the Celtics. He is a restricted free agent so the team will have to give up something to get him, but over time it will be worth it.

JR Smith provides the same positives as Chandler, but he is a playmaker. He is also a unrestricted free agent. It is a tough choice to choose between these two.

Sign Leon Powe

BOSTON - FEBRUARY 25:  Leon Powe #44 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on before the game against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden on February 25, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading
Elsa/Getty Images

Since the Celtics should not re-sign Glen Davis, that leaves a spot open at power forward.

Signing Powe would be a great move because he was with the Celtics before and know how this team works. He also contributed the the championship run the Celtics had a couple years ago. 

Draft JaJuan Johnson

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 20:  JaJuan Johnson #25 of the Purdue Boilermakers rebounds against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams n the first half during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the United Center on March 20, 2011 in Chicago,
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

JaJuan Johnson would be a good pick for the future Celtics. It would take a couple of years for Johnson to contribute, but with a couple years left in Garnett, he will be ready when his time is here.

The Depth Chart the Celtics Should Have to Start Next Season

PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 28:  Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics huddles up with teammates before the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on January 28, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona.  The Suns defeated the Celtics 88-71.  NOTE TO USER: User
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

With this roster, the Celtics will be back in the Finals and banner 18 will be up in a year.

PG- Rajon Rondo, Delonte West, Avery Bradley

SG- Ray Allen, Wilson Chandler/J.R. Smith, Von Wafer

SF- Paul Pierce, Jeff Green, Sasha Pavlovic

PF- Kevin Garnett, Leon Powe, JaJuan Johnson

C- Nene, Jermaine O'Neal, Nenad Krstic

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