The Boston Celtics, a team that always expects to contend, just got slapped with a “C-” grade from ESPN for their offseason moves, tying them with the Pistons for one of the absolute worst marks on the list. Zach Kram, who dished out these grades based on trades, free agent signings, and extensions,but not draft picks,considers a “C” to be neutral. So, a C- is basically telling us what we feared: things are not looking great for the green and white after what’s been a head-scratching summer. Only the Magic, Wizards, and Pelicans ranked lower, with the Clippers and Raptors getting incompletes. That’s some rough company for a team aiming for the top, isn’t it?
The Jaylen Brown Trade Bombshell
You don’t have to guess what dragged that grade down. It was the Jaylen Brown trade, pure and simple. Brown, who finished sixth in MVP voting last season, got shipped off to the 76ers. What they got back? Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-rounders. ESPN’s Kram didn’t pull any punches, saying the deal “shocked the basketball world not because it happened but because it brought back such a light return.” It’s tough to argue when you see Brown’s MVP finish compared to that haul. Kram flat out said, “President of basketball operations Brad Stevens might prove right in the long run. But right now, it seems like the Celtics reduced their 2026-27 championship equity without saving all that much money, so they receive one of my worst offseason grades.” That’s a brutal assessment right there, hitting directly at their title chances!
Other Moves and the Looming Question
Beyond the Brown blockbuster, the Celtics also made some other moves, bringing in Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley. Robinson is definitely the bigger name of the two, meant to shore up their center depth, which they desperately needed. He played a key role for New York’s championship run, known for his shot-blocking and offensive rebounding. So, they got *some* talent. But when you weigh it against shipping off an MVP-caliber player, it feels like small potatoes. Despite this weird offseason, some folks still think the Celtics are gonna be beasts in the East. Steph Noh from The Sporting News even has them winning 54 games and placed them at No. 6 in his latest Power Rankings. So, the talent is still there, apparently. The real question, the one Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics gotta answer, is how all these moves translate into postseason success. Will they figure it out? We’ll be watching to find out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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