fb-pixelCeltics deal with their goodbyes - The Boston Globe Skip to main content

Celtics deal with their goodbyes

There was nowhere for Jae Crowder and the Celtics to hide as their season came to an end Thursday.jim davis/globe staff

WALTHAM — Less than 24 hours after their season came to a sudden end Thursday, the Celtics were back at the team’s training facility, packing belongings, doing exit interviews, and saying goodbyes.

Even before Boston’s Game 6 loss to the Hawks, though, the team’s brass had begun preparing for what will be a busy and potentially seismic summer. The team will enter the offseason prepared to cash in some of the many assets it has collected.

With the potential to sign two free agents to maximum-salary contracts and eight picks in June’s draft — including the Nets’ choice that has a 46.9 percent chance of landing in the top three — the Celtics will be in position to strike.

Advertisement



But their 48-win season also showed that there are plenty of capable pieces already in the fold. Now president of basketball operations Danny Ainge will be tasked with deciding which players he would like to keep, shop, or ship, all while attempting to maintain the uncommon chemistry that Celtics players raved about all season.

The only certainty is that there will be change.

In addition to the treasure chest of draft picks, the Celtics have 12 players under contract — including Jonas Jerebko and Amir Johnson, who have nonguaranteed deals — and they have made no secret of their desire to be active in free agency.

“As long as we keep getting better,” point guard Isaiah Thomas said, “hopefully guys will start to choose Boston as a city they want to play in.”

Evan Turner is Boston’s lone unrestricted free agent. The guard had a strong year, averaging 10.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists and placing fifth in the voting for the NBA’s sixth man of the year.

Celtics coach Brad Stevens has been vocal about his appreciation for Turner, and on Friday Turner said Stevens told him he would like to bring him back to Boston. Turner had rocky stints with the 76ers and Pacers before seeming to find a comfortable home with the Celtics. He said he would like to return, too, but he also understands the realities of the industry.

Advertisement



“You have to really sit down and see what measures out and Danny [Ainge] has to do what’s best for the organization and I have to do what’s best for my career,” Turner said, adding later: “I want to get a decent amount of money, you know what I’m saying? But at the same time the fit is going to be huge and the opportunity to play on a winning team. I have played on [bad] teams a couple times, and it’s not fun.”

Johnson and Jerebko have $12 million and $5 million nonguaranteed deals, respectively. Johnson had a bit of a mercurial season as he battled a nagging foot injury and struggled to adjust to the offense, but he was a dependable presence in the interior and made 58.5 percent of his field goal attempts, his highest mark since the 2009-10 season. The $12 million salary might seem slightly high, but set against the backdrop of a salary cap that is expected to exceed $90 million, it becomes more reasonable. Or, the Celtics could part ways with Johnson and add a chunk of money to their pool.

“I definitely want to be back,” said Johnson, who turns 29 Sunday. “I’m excited about next year just to see how far they can push it even more.”

Advertisement



Jerebko, meanwhile, was one of the Celtics’ breakout performers of the postseason. After averaging 4.4 points and 3.7 rebounds in a limited role, the forward started the final four games of Boston’s first-round playoff series and averaged 9.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. It is likely that he would be brought back at such a bargain.

Forward Jared Sullinger and center Tyler Zeller are both restricted free agents, meaning Boston will have the option of matching any contract offer they receive from another team.

Sullinger entered the year with lingering questions about his weight and conditioning. Then he had a strong, injury-free season before scuffling through the playoffs. After Thursday’s loss, he said he would like to rejoin the Celtics.

“When you spend four seasons in the same area and then play for the greatest organization of all time, you see the likes of Bill Russell sitting courtside, Kevin McHale, Bill Walton and all these people that cheer,” Sullinger said, “it’s very hard to walk away from this situation.”

After playing all 82 games and starting 59 last year, Zeller sat out 22 games and had his playing time cut from 21.1 minutes per game to 11.8 this season. Still, Stevens constantly praised Zeller’s professionalism, and the 7-footer was prepared when called upon.

“You always hope a team wants you back, and I hope they would,” Zeller said. “It’s timing. When July comes around, we’ll see. That’s when negotiations start. You can say whatever you want, but we’ll see what happens.”

Advertisement



Otherwise, the Celtics are in line to have a very strong returning core, led by Thomas, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Marcus Smart, and Kelly Olynyk. Rookies Terry Rozier and R.J. Hunter, who took on expanded roles during the playoffs because of injury, both said Friday that they intend to play for Boston’s summer league team this year. Jordan Mickey would likely join them, too.

Ultimately, though, the Celtics’ hopes of taking the next step in their development will hinge on the draft and free agency. Like last season, Thomas said he is prepared to help recruit players to Boston. This time, though, he is an All-Star, and that might give him some added pull.

“I love the guys, but we do need a little more,” Thomas said. “Danny [Ainge] will do his part. I know he and this organization will, and we’ll get even better.”


Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @adamhimmelsbach.