Grading Celtics' Biggest Moves from 2024 NBA Offseason
Three words guided the Boston Celtics through the 2024 NBA offseason.
Run. It. Back.
The reigning champions bought all the way into the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" adage. Whenever and wherever possible, they committed to the core responsible for delivering the franchise's 18th NBA title.
It feels like the only way for a champion to operate, but how did the Celtics do regarding the individual moves they made? We'll revisit the most significant ones and assign each with a letter grade.
Drafting Baylor Scheierman at No. 30
1 of 3
The Celtics made very few external additions this offseason. First-round rookie Baylor Scheierman, the 30th overall pick, was the most significant.
He might struggle to crack the regular rotation as an NBA freshman, but that has more to do with this roster's quality than it does his skillset and readiness.
He'll get some run, though, and when he does he should be a hand-in-glove fit with this group. His perimeter shot is potent, but he could function as more than a three-point specialist. He keeps active on the glass and has enough handles and vision to grab rebounds and get out in the open court. This machine wouldn't have to slow down to accommodate him, in other words.
He looks like someone Boston could trot out if needed. It's impressive for a win-now club to find that kind of player with the 30th pick in a draft no one seemed to like.
Grade: B
Jayson Tatum's Historic Extension
2 of 3
There are a number of different labels that can be draped upon Jayson Tatum. The greatest basketball player of all-time isn't one of them.
That's only notable because the five-year, $314 million extension he signed this summer is the richest contract in NBA history.
Is he worth that kind of coin? In a word: yes. He is a supermax type of talent; he's had an All-NBA first team spot each of the past three seasons, and he could retain it for the next half-decade or longer. And since max deals are based on a percentage of the perpetually climbing salary cap, it just worked out for him to score this historic pact (as it did with Jaylen Brown last summer).
The dollar amount is massive, but that's always the case when a superstar signs.
Grade: A
Derrick White's Extension
3 of 3
The Celtics clearly know they have a great thing going and want to keep it going as long as possible.
Part of that plan involved keeping Derrick White away from 2025 free agency and getting his signature on a four-year, $125.9 million contract extension.
The 30-year-old wouldn't be worth that kind of investment for anyone, but in Boston he's been borderline invaluable. His defense is elite, and his offense is exactly the kind you want to support stars: low maintenance, highly efficient and about as versatile as it gets.
Maybe his salary looks a little inflated on the back end, but the Celtics were smart to prioritize the present.
Grade: A-
.jpg?w=600 "SmackDown Before WrestleMania 🔠")
.jpg?w=600 "Report: Falcons, Jags Make DT Trade")
.jpg?w=600 "WWE Hall of Fame Recap 👏")
