LAS VEGAS — Brad Stevens spoke at Summer season League on Wednesday and mentioned the little work left to do for the Celtics this offseason. He famous that Boston will doubtless stay affected person with the fifteenth and ultimate normal roster spot over the approaching months, addressing their wants as Kristaps Porziņģis begins a protracted rehab course of.
That leaves Oshae Brissett and Svi Mykhailiuk free to discover their choices for each cash and extra taking part in time out there to them. Brissett stated on his YouTube channel that he additionally hopes to listen to extra information about his future quickly after declining his participant choice earlier this summer time and turning into a free agent.
“Oshae had a terrific 12 months, not solely when he bought the chance on the court docket, however as a teammate and as an individual. In his footwear, there could be the need to play extra too,” Stevens informed reporters on Wednesday. “I at all times need to be respectful of that. We liked having Oshae. So far as how we fill out the remainder of the roster, we stored 14 a lot of the 12 months final 12 months, then we added two on the finish of the 12 months. We’ll see how the following few months play themselves out with regard to individuals’s availability. Clearly, Kristaps goes to have a protracted rehab course of forward of him. Then we’ve to find out what’s the perfect want for our staff in that fifteenth spot? Each Oshae and Svi, to me, are good NBA gamers, that whether or not right here or elsewhere are good matches for any staff. They’re simply terrific individuals.”
Stevens additionally reacted to the primary time for Wyc Grousbeck inserting his share of the Celtics on the market, saying that it caught him off guard as a lot as anybody else when it occurred days after the staff’s 2024 championship one month in the past. He doesn’t anticipate the method to influence his job as staff president for now, with the staff’s launch on the sale noting that the method may take a number of years the place Grousbeck will stay as governor of the staff.
“I discovered not lengthy earlier than all people else did that was going to occur,” Stevens stated. “I’m clearly very grateful for Wyc and his household and the whole lot they’ve performed. I’m wanting ahead to seeing what occurs from right here. I don’t need to get too far into the weeds of all of it, however how does it have an effect on us? It doesn’t actually proper now … we’re simply head down doing what we expect is finest for the now of the Celtics and the long run … we’re fortunate we bought an excellent staff.”
Boston did that by extending Jayson Tatum and Derrick White this offseason, whereas negotiations proceed with Sam Hauser a couple of potential long-term deal. Stevens stated that the Celtics are fortunate to have each gamers and that they wished to stay with Boston long-term. Tatum, White, Brown and Jrue Vacation have all created an setting that values successful and a staff dynamic.
Stevens additionally reacted to feedback by Brown expressing his frustration with being left off Crew USA. It’s an excellent alternative for individuals who went, like many Celtics have over time, however believes Brown is simply as deserving of that recognition and will get it sooner or later. Stevens sees him dealing with himself the identical approach whether or not he’s awarded or snubbed.
“Jaylen’s a terrific participant. I don’t suppose there’s any doubt that Jaylen might be on any staff, any Olympic staff in any 12 months. However on the finish of the day, his method, he talked about how he known as Derrick, he talked about his personal emotions,” Stevens stated. “Whether or not he has success, or he will get all of the accolades, like Finals MVP or jap convention finals MVP, or he seems like he bought left off the staff. He’s going to be motivated and hungry regardless. That’s what I’ve at all times liked about him. He at all times goes again to work.”
