Sunday Basketball Notebook: Celtics Thread the Needle Between Winning Now and Building for the Future
Brad Stevens has had his hands full this season-and somehow, he’s pulling it off.
Balancing a winning roster, developing young talent, and managing a tight salary cap is no easy feat in today’s NBA, especially under the league’s new CBA rules that make life brutal for teams bumping up against the second apron. But as of Friday, the Celtics were sitting pretty with a 33-18 record, tied for second in the Eastern Conference. That’s not just surviving the chaos-that’s thriving in it.
Let’s break down how Boston has managed to stay in the thick of the title conversation while also keeping one eye on the future.
Mazzulla’s Magic Touch
Head coach Joe Mazzulla deserves real credit for the way he's gotten production from unexpected places. Luka Garza, Jordan Walsh, and Neemias Queta weren’t exactly headliners coming into the season, but they’ve carved out meaningful roles. Garza’s physicality in the paint, Walsh’s defensive energy, and Queta’s rim protection have all helped Boston weather injuries and keep the rotation fresh.
And then there’s Jaylen Brown-who’s been playing like he’s got something to prove. Brown’s all-around game has taken another leap, and he’s legitimately playing at an MVP level. He’s scoring efficiently, defending at a high level, and doing it all without disrupting the flow of the offense.
Payton Pritchard, meanwhile, has stepped into a bigger role without missing a beat. After winning Sixth Man of the Year last season, he’s been thrust into the starting lineup and hasn’t flinched. His shooting, pace, and toughness have been constants, giving Boston a steady hand in the backcourt.
The Cap Crunch and Stevens’ Balancing Act
Here’s where it gets even more impressive: Stevens didn’t just build a contender-he did it while navigating a financial minefield. The Celtics were staring down the dreaded second apron, which brings with it a host of team-building restrictions under the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement. It’s not just about paying more in luxury tax-it’s about losing flexibility to make trades, sign players, and operate like a normal franchise.
Stevens insists there was no mandate from new team governor Bill Chisholm to slash payroll, but the writing was on the wall. Teams living in the second apron long-term are playing a dangerous game. By making a series of shrewd moves, Stevens managed to get the Celtics under that line, saving Chisholm potentially hundreds of millions in the process.
The key here? Boston didn’t sacrifice its competitive edge to do it. That’s the tightrope walk teams dream of-cut costs without cutting corners on the court.
Cleveland’s Deadline Desperation
Elsewhere in the East, the Cavaliers made a flurry of moves that reeked of urgency. The message was clear: they know the window is now, and they’re doing everything they can to stay in the mix. Whether those moves pay off remains to be seen, but it’s a reminder of just how competitive the top of the conference has become.
Quick Hits
- The Celtics made a trio of trades before the deadline, shipping out Chris Boucher, Josh Minott, and Xavier Tillman. Each move helped them get leaner financially while opening up minutes for younger players and deepening their flexibility moving forward.
- Boston’s front office has made it clear they’re not just chasing a title this year-they’re trying to build a sustainable contender. That’s a tough needle to thread, but so far, they’re doing it with precision.
- With the All-Star break approaching, the Celtics are positioned to make a real push. If Brown keeps playing at this level and the role players continue to rise to the occasion, Boston could be a problem come playoff time.
Bottom line: The Celtics have found a way to compete at the highest level without mortgaging their future or their financial sanity. That’s the kind of front office work that doesn’t always make headlines-but it wins championships.