ESPN has released a new survey of 15 NBA coaches, scouts, and executives polled on a number of salient topics related to the 2022-23 season ahead and beyond.
The poll was created to get an idea of how some of the minds shaping the future of the league see the direction its 30 teams and their constituent players are heading in. It is focused on the respective development arcs, contention potential, and other important issues at both the player and team level ranging from MVP and rookie projections to the winners and losers of the 2022 offseason, and expectations for the 2023 postseason.
Let’s take a look at where the Celtics and their players rated out.
You can take the man out of the Celtics, but you can’t take the Celtics out of the man. https://t.co/sfzXQI1hJE
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 30, 2022
Who will be the best player in the NBA in five years?
Star Celtics forward Jayson Tatum came in third here with two votes. Ahead of him were Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo in first place (7 votes), and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks (6 votes).
“Both Tatum voters pointed to his status as one of the league’s premier young two-way stars,” wrote ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.
“Just because of the defensive component,” said an Eastern Conference scout. ” (…) Tatum’s self-creation ability, his physical tools, and his ability to give you defensive versatility, that’s pretty special.”
Star Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown announces partnership to support women entrepreneurs https://t.co/idL2RNXXoz
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 30, 2022
Which team had the best offseason?
Here, Boston won handily with 6 total votes, their nearest competition being the Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz (both with 2 votes each).
“The Celtics added two quality rotation players — guard Malcolm Brogdon in a trade with the Indiana Pacers, and forward Danilo Gallinari as a free agent — without sacrificing any of their top eight players who got them to the NBA Finals,” notes Bontemps.
Big man Bruno Caboclo’s deal with the Boston Celtics fully unguaranteed, $2.46 million https://t.co/yILY8vJQC3
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 30, 2022
What was the most surprising move of the offseason?
In this question, the Celtics got on the board with a single vote for bringing on Indiana Pacers point guard Malcolm Brogdon.
Rudy Gobert’s trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves was by far the runaway winner here though with 10 votes.
“What Minnesota gave up for him, (and) the fact they traded for him when they already had Towns,” an unnamed East scout related, “I would not have predicted that.”
Don’t expect the Boston Celtics to use their remaining traded player exceptions (TPEs) https://t.co/e6G1bOp1kS
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 30, 2022
Who wins the East finals, West finals and the NBA Finals?
Boston tied with the Bucks to win the East Finals at 7 votes each, the Miami Heat getting a single vote as well.
As for the NBA title, the Celtics tied for second along with the Bucks with 4 votes each, the top vote-getter to win it all being the Los Angeles Clippers with 5 total votes.
“I just think Milwaukee would have done it last year if (Khris) Middleton was healthy,” an anonymous West scout said. “I think Giannis will be the best player in a series, and my default in most things in the NBA is whoever has the best player tends to win.”
Celtics alumni point guards Kemba Walker, Isaiah Thomas reportedly potential Charlotte Hornets targets https://t.co/NEAlQhvFs8
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 30, 2022
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