Boston Celtics selecting Markelle Fultz opens door for Philadelphia 76ers

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Philadelphia 76ers. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Philadelphia 76ers. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 19, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) dribbles the ball as Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) defends during the first quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) dribbles the ball as Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) defends during the first quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

Turn Back Time

The Boston Celtics are oh so close to getting to the NBA Championships with this roster. But that window may be closing just as rapidly as it opened.  Right now, point guard Isaiah Thomas‘ future is foggy after a hip injury ended his post-season play premature.  As of now, there  has been no determination over the need for corrective surgery.

Will the Charlotte Hornets be in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery?
Will the Charlotte Hornets be in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery?

Swarm and Sting

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  • The Celtics lose power forwards Amir Johnson and Jonas Jarebko, reserve center Kelly Olnyk, shooting guard James Young, and small forward Gerald Green to free agency.  Per an article from Bryan Robb of Boston.com, the only free agent likely to re-sign with the team is Gerald Green, and that is capped at a 50 percent likelihood.

    Too Many Holes, Too Few Thumbs

    So that creates as many as five openings in this roster. And after checking out a great (and I do mean great) analysis of why the Celtics are virtually falling short of a top free agent this year from Celticsblog.com’s Keith P. Smith, it’s very clear that the Celtics must dismantle part of their core if they hope to challenge the Cavaliers.

    And even if all the dominoes fall their way, this Celtics team may not be THAT good in 2018-2019. If that happens, the Celtics will need to blow up the roster and begin a painfully long rebuilding process around now centerpiece Markelle Fultz.