Ranking Celtics' Priorities for 2023 NBA Free Agency

A quiet NBA offseason isn't necessarily a bad NBA offseason.

Just ask the Boston Celtics.

If all goes according to plan this summer, the Shamrocks could enter training camp with a nearly identical one they brought into this postseason. Only six of their players will or can become free agents, and none is a featured part of this franchise.

The Celtics still have some work to do, but their offseason priorities feel pretty straightforward.

3. Searching for Cheap Size

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BOSTON, MA - APRIL 9: Mike Muscala #57 of the Boston Celtics during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden on April 9, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

Boston needs more bigs. That was true this entire season, and it could become an even greater need going forward depending on the outcome of Grant Williams' venture into restricted free agency (more on that later).

As it stands, only two Boston bigs have fully guaranteed deals for next season: Al Horford and Robert Williams III, per Spotrac. Horford will turn 37 in June. Williams has yet to play more than 61 games in any of his five NBA seasons and has made fewer than 40 appearances in three of them.

That creates a massive need for insurance options behind them, but there isn't much money to fill that role. Maybe that nudges this team toward retaining Luke Kornet (non-guaranteed salary) and Mike Muscala (team option), but counting on either to fill a regular rotation role might be too much.

Beyond Williams, the Celtics are also sending Blake Griffin into free agency. He still has some utility on the offensive end, but his defensive limitations are so severe that he's unplayable in certain matchups. Boston's best hope is that the bargain bin will supply some better alternatives.

2. Handling Grant Williams' Restricted Free Agency

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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 03: Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the third quarter of game two of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on May 03, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the 76ers 121-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Grant Williams has felt like a foundational piece for much of his four-year tenure with the team. Whether that still rings true with restricted free agency awaiting him is debatable.

There were times he lost his regular-rotation gig this season. His benchings became more frequent once the playoffs tipped. Boston has, however, looked his way more often against the Philadelphia 76ers, which perhaps indicates some recognition that this team is at its best when he's a contributor.

But what is that kind of player worth on the open market? And what happens if an external suitor calculates his value at a way higher rate than Boston?

His defensive versatility is helpful to have—so is his outside shot, when it's hitting its mark, at least. A frontcourt-needy team will give him a long look. If that look ends with a big-money offer sheet, the Celtics will have a tough decision to make.

1. Extending Jaylen Brown

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MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 09: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dribbles against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter of game five of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at TD Garden on May 09, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

All due respect to Williams and the rest of the Celtics' free agents, but they don't have a lot of sway on this organization's future.

What will have a massive impact, though, is how Boston and Jaylen Brown handle his extension eligibility.

Because the swingman landed an All-NBA second-team spot, he is eligible for a five-year extension this summer worth a whopping $295 million. With Jayson Tatum also becoming eligible for a supermax extension (though not until 2024), a full commitment to the star wings could cost the Celtics a combined $600 million.

The wild part is these players are so good, they just might be worth it. Still, tying up that much money in two players will make it tricky to build out a roster around them. The Celtics have perhaps the NBA's deepest roster right now, and they've still yet to break through to win a title. What happens when some of these depth pieces must be financially sacrificed?

In a vacuum, keeping Brown for as long as possible feels like a no-brainer. With this amount of money at hand, though, the reality is far more complicated.