How are the Celtics and Bucks looking after the dust has settled on the offseason's biggest trades?
The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks have made some significant trades this offseason. First, the Bucks made a big move in acquiring Damian Lillard.
Bucks receive:
Damian Lillard (via Blazers)
Trail Blazers receive:
Deandre Ayton (via Suns)
Toumani Camara (via Suns)
Jrue Holiday (via Bucks)
2029 1st-round pick (via Bucks)
Two first-round pick swaps with Bucks (2028, 2030)
Suns receive:
Grayson Allen (via Bucks)
Keon Johnson (via Blazers)
Nassir Little (via Blazers)
Jusuf Nurkic (via Blazers)
Then, the Boston Celtics traded for Jrue Holiday, who didn’t even bother buying property in the Portland area.
Celtics receive:
Jrue Holiday
Blazers receive:
Malcolm Brogdon
Robert Williams
2024 1st-round pick (via Warriors)
2029 unprotected 1st-round pick (via Celtics)
These trades created a lot of shakeup, and it’s got me wondering how good these two teams are going to be this season.
Milwaukee Bucks Post-Trade Outlook
Milwaukee was 58-24 last season and I thought they were a very strong team destined for the ECF (with Jrue). Who could have seen the Miami buzzsaw coming? The Bucks score points, that’s what they do best - Giannis, Middleton, Jrue, and some solid role players seemed to be a good mix. If I were the GM I would have tried to build around that a bit more but I’m not and can only do that in NBA2K. So, they went out and got Lillard by trading Jrue.
We all know Lillard to be a tremendous offensive player. Last year he averaged over 32 PPG and over 7 assists. Granted, the ball was in his hands a lot of the time and he didn’t have the same surrounding cast he'll have in Milwaukee. But the dude scores! Both Giannis and Middleton shoot a lot…obviously, Dame does too - if these guys can learn to share the rock properly there aren’t going to be many defenses that can slow them down. How are teams going to guard the pick-and-roll with Dame and Giannis?
I’ve said it before and I will say it again, ball-dominant players often don’t mesh well unless someone is willing to sacrifice. Let’s see if that happens here. This is on first-year head coach Adrian Griffin to make happen. To me, it looks like the front office increased firepower while letting the defensive rating drop a bit. It’s a bold strategy, Cotton, let’s see if it pays off for ‘em.
Boston Celtics Post-Trade Outlook
The Boston Celtics were 57-25 last season and also ran into that Miami Heat buzzsaw. Brad Stevens has made two big trades this offseason. First for Kristaps and now Jrue. If KP can stay healthy he will be a huge add for the C’s. Someone who can score inside and outside and who will spread the floor very well. I’m sure a 5-out offense will be a common sight for Boston fans. Now you’re adding a great defensive and solid offensive player in Jrue Holiday. Speaking of that pick-and-roll with Milwaukee, Jrue is very well-equipped to make things hard for Lillard with his size, strength, and athleticism.
I mentioned the increased firepower the Bucks now have…well, Boston has more. Tatum and Brown are going to feast on defenses this season. Injuries aside, the only way the Celtics offense can be stopped is if they shoot themselves in the foot. They’re just too good. AND they are one of the better defenses in the League. Losing Smart and Robert Williams definitely hurts, but they still have the personnel to play top-of-the-line defense.
Call me biased but I think the Celtics will be the better team this season and a likely pick to make the Finals. Every time these two squads play it’s going to be a Godzilla vs. Kong sort of matchup and I can’t wait to watch!