LAS VEGAS — Brad Stevens spoke at Summer time League on Wednesday and mentioned the little work left to do for the Celtics this offseason. He famous that Boston will probably stay affected person with the fifteenth and last commonplace 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 enjoying time accessible to them. Brissett mentioned on his YouTube channel that he additionally hopes to listen to extra information about his future quickly after declining his participant possibility earlier this summer season and turning into a free agent.
“Oshae had a terrific 12 months, not solely when he acquired the chance on the court docket, however as a teammate and as an individual. In his sneakers, there is perhaps the need to play extra too,” Stevens instructed reporters on Wednesday. “I all the time wish to be respectful of that. We cherished having Oshae. So far as how we fill out the remainder of the roster, we saved 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 subsequent few months play themselves out with regard to folks’s availability. Clearly, Kristaps goes to have a protracted rehab course of forward of him. Then we’ve to find out what’s one of the best want for our workforce in that fifteenth spot? Each Oshae and Svi, to me, are good NBA gamers, that whether or not right here or elsewhere are good suits for any workforce. They’re simply terrific folks.”
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 workforce’s 2024 championship one month in the past. He doesn’t anticipate the method to affect his job as workforce president for now, with the workforce’s launch on the sale noting that the method might take a number of years the place Grousbeck will stay as governor of the workforce.
“I realized not lengthy earlier than everyone else did that was going to occur,” Stevens mentioned. “I’m clearly very grateful for Wyc and his household and every thing they’ve executed. I’m wanting ahead to seeing what occurs from right here. I don’t wish 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 predict is finest for the now of the Celtics and the longer term … we’re fortunate we acquired a great workforce.”
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 mentioned 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 surroundings that values profitable and a workforce dynamic.
Stevens additionally reacted to feedback by Brown expressing his frustration with being left off Group USA. It’s a great alternative for many who went, like many Celtics have through the years, 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 manner whether or not he’s awarded or snubbed.
“Jaylen’s a terrific participant. I don’t suppose there’s any doubt that Jaylen may very well be on any workforce, any Olympic workforce 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 mentioned. “Whether or not he has success, or he will get all of the accolades, like Finals MVP or japanese convention finals MVP, or he looks like he acquired left off the workforce. He’s going to be motivated and hungry regardless. That’s what I’ve all the time cherished about him. He all the time goes again to work.”
