Brad Stevens addresses the additions, deletions to the Celtics' roster and Al Horford's ‘unlikely' return

Boston Globe

a day ago

He later expanded on their departures, stressing that the only reason they are no longer Celtics is because the team simply needed to dip below the salary cap's second apron to avoid significant roster-building limitations in the future.
'Jrue Holiday, I think he stamped his Hall of Fame candidacy here if he didn't already have it, and we'll look forward to watching and rooting and following him from afar,' Stevens said. 'He's as good of a person as you could ever have in building and being part of your team. And KP fought some of the stuff health-wise the last two years, but when he played he was awfully good, and we think he'll be awfully good for Atlanta this year. So those are not easy trades to make.'
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Stevens said he spoke to both players about two weeks before they were traded, making it clear that there was a good chance both would be moving on.
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'But they're still hard phone calls to make,' Stevens said. 'It's harder to think about not seeing Jrue and KP in and around the facility every day. That's the hardest part.'
TATUM'S PROGRESS
Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who will likely miss next season after rupturing his Achilles' tendon during Boston's conference semifinals loss to the Knicks in May, has been posting periodic updates of his progress on his social media platforms. Most recently, Tatum shared a video of himself walking in a pool.
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'Jayson is working every single day,' Stevens said. 'He has literally been here every day, except he took a few days break. But when he takes a few days break, [trainer Nick Sang] goes with him. So, he's still working every single day.'
Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles' tendon during the NBA Finals last month. On Monday, Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard removed all potential pressure and distraction when he ruled Haliburton out for all of next season.
The Celtics have not taken that step with Tatum, and Stevens has made it clear that the team is not yet thinking about a timeline for a return. When he was asked Tuesday whether the Celtics might eventually follow the Pacers' lead and rule Tatum out for the season, he did not provide clarity.
'But we're not going to put any pressure on Jayson to get back any time soon,' Stevens said.
ROSTER SET FOR NOW
The Celtics have filled all 15 regular roster spots. They'll need to carry at least 14 during the regular season, and JD Davison's deal is non-guaranteed. But Boston still needs to eventually shed about $20 million in salary if it hopes to dip below the luxury tax line.
Stevens stressed that the primary focus was getting below the second apron, though, adding that he is comfortable with the roster as it stands. There could still be changes, of course, but there does not appear to be urgency.
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'When I was coaching, when the term 'rebuild' came up I thought it was a crazy term,' Stevens said. 'None of us were here before, so it should be 'build,' right? You're always building and growing toward something.'
NEW FACES
The Celtics acquired guard Anfernee Simons and forward Georges Niang via trade and signed center Luka Garza and wing Josh Minott as free agents.
Simons averaged 19.3 points per game for the Trail Blazers last season.
'His ability to score, to shoot the ball, make really hard shots, is pretty elite,' Stevens said, 'and you look at a guy that's 26 years old and averaged 20 a game for three straight years, I think he's a really good player, and I think he can get better. That's a big part of it.'
Stevens pointed out that Niang has spent most of the latter half of his career on winning teams, and the Celtics valued that.
'He knows what he does well and knows how to bring out the best in his group,' Stevens said. 'It's not a coincidence he was part of the rotation on those really good Philly teams, and he was part of the rotation in Cleveland before the trade [to the Hawks last February]. The guy's a winner.'
Stevens acknowledged that Garza and Minott fit into the team's plans in part because their deals were cost effective, but he believes both have significant upside.
'We've seen something in them that we think gives them a chance to be very impactful,' he said. 'Luka obviously has been a stats darling but in limited time behind very, very good players. And same thing with Minott. Minott is a guy that brings a lot of versatility to the table. He's a person who can guard several positions, can shoot a little bit but plays with great energy and length. Both those guys really rebound.'
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BIG MAN PROBLEM
On draft night last month, Stevens made it clear the team hoped to re-sign centers Al Horford and Luke Kornet. Kornet has since signed with the Spurs, and Stevens acknowledged it's 'unlikely' Horford will be back.
'I think [Horford] is an all-time Celtic and a winner and did everything he could for this organization,' Stevens said.
Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at