NBA Notebook: The 10 biggest unfinished offseason storylines

The Celtics had already signed Gordon Hayward with the help of Isaiah Thomas, traded for Marcus Morris and moved back in the draft with a trade to secure Jayson Tatum when Kyrie Irving requested a trade late in July, 2017. As Boston, Minnesota, San Antonio, New York and Miami scrambled to accommodate the guard, the NBA offseason dragged into August, a rarity when executives, players and team personnel typically wind down after the flurry of moves throughout July that set up what we'll see when training camp begins in September. The Celtics didn't trade for Irving until Aug. 22, a transformative deal that shifted the balance of power in the east and NBA nearly two months before they'd face the Cavaliers on opening night.

Five years later, multiple teams have significant work to do entering the final full month of the offseason after a busy July. There's seemingly never been so much outstanding business among NBA teams. Whether stars who could be traded, remaining names on the free agent market, or signed players who aren't particularly good fits to their roster, there could be multiple major moves made across the league over the next month. While Boston's roster is largely set and prepared to run it back after a NBA Finals appearance, even they have decisions to make at the end of the bench that could become important depth additions.

1. Let's start with the Celtics, who are now $19.9-million over the luxury tax with 12 roster spots filled with at least partially-guaranteed deals for next season. The team can carry up to 18 players through training camp, plus a pair of two-way contracts they've already filled, and they signed Bruno Caboclo and Noah Vonleh this week to training camp deals that fill up two of those six remaining slots. Boston's depth bigs, including Luke Kornet, Mfiondu Kabengele and the two latest additions have some NBA experience, but limited particularly when it comes to filling backup roles as they'll battle to fill behind Robert Williams III and Al Horford. The team isn't in a rush to sign a free agent center or trade for a costly one who'll escalate their tax payment well past $45-million, and they like Danilo Gallinari's ability to sneak some minutes at the five as he did with the Hawks in spots. This dynamic could work if everyone stays healthy. One significant ailment in the front court could expose this title contender to an emergency need inside though. They appear thin at forward even if they'll run some smaller lineups that include three guards. Justin Jackson, Brodric Thomas and even Juhann Begarin could fill out some of that depth behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who shouldn't be playing every minute of every game like they did last year to make up for a slow start. 

2. As Kevin Durant's trade request extends into its second month he hasn't wavered publicly, rescinded that request or even explained why he wants out of Brooklyn. The Nets haven't lowered their all-time asking price for the forward, who has four years remaining on his deal. Both sides have flexed their leverage and as Durant reportedly prepares to meet Joe Tsai, we may finally hear as soon as this week what the next steps will be for Durant and the Nets to either split or reunite. It's been remarkable to see one of the greatest players in NBA history, still posting prime production, available and not generating a massive rush for his services. Many teams have inquired and apparently come up well short of the asking price, and that doesn't appear likely to change. For the Celtics, what is the urgency to gut the depth of a Finals roster to upgrade at a position you're already strong at? 

Elsewhere, stars like Devin Booker, Bam Adebayo, Michael Porter Jr. and even Andrew Wiggins can't land on the same roster as Ben Simmons due to the designated rookie extension rules. Deandre Ayton is trade-ineligible until January after he signed an offer sheet with Indiana that the Suns matched. The Raptors remain an intriguing suitor due to their relative inability to land a star of Durant's stature otherwise, potentially short window with Fred VanVleet able to enter free agency next summer and their past interest in trading Pascal Siakam. They've held on to rookie of the year Scottie Barnes in negotiations and have leverage to do so after a playoff season, but they're another team thin enough to possibly lose whatever they'd gain by giving up multiple players like Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby for Durant. There isn't a Durant deal right now, so does that mean they'll settle, will Durant hold out into camp, or will they run it back for at least one more year in Brooklyn? The latter seems likely, for now. 

3. While there's no doubt Durant would transform a team's offense and boost championship aspirations overnight no matter what you think of the risks in acquiring him, that'll maintain his value no matter when the Nets trade him entering a four-year contract. The same isn't necessarily true for Donovan Mitchell, who we haven't watched outside of Quin Snyder's system or without Rudy Gobert by his side. It's not surprising Danny Ainge and company quickly walked back their unwillingness to deal Mitchell after the Gobert trade, because there could be no better time than now to sell high on a young star who may be at or near his peak. Mitchell posted relatively similar numbers at 26 to his prior season, with fewer points, three-pointers and a 44.8% mark from the field in line with his career average. He got torched defensively in the playoffs, with only Denver's Monte Morris and Will Barton posting worse defensive RAPTOR ratings in the postseason. Dallas' shooters improved their percentage by 11% by going at Mitchell early in their series. There's upside to a team like the Knicks acquiring a player who'd bring the kind of buzz, offensive flare and annual playoff appearances Mitchell would alongside Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett and Julius Randle, and perhaps other stars would join him in New York down the line. They'd have similar weaknesses to last year's roster with two smaller guards running the show though. As they prepare to possibly trade Quentin Grimes, Miles McBride and Obi Toppin, it's worth asking what's wrong with a slow build around Barrett that they haven't actually tried? New York traded its solid draft picks to keep space clear for the Brunson signing. 

Ainge has the Knicks exactly where he wants them, probably not good enough to rise above the play-in field in the east and boasting 11 future first-round picks through 2029, including their own, along with a balance of likely late-round picks from the Bucks and Mavericks in the coming seasons and protected picks from the Wizards and Pistons that'll probably convey as mid-late first round picks later this decade, if not eventually turning into second-rounders. A deal feels inevitable between those two sides, but the Jazz would be right to want as many unprotected Knicks first-round picks as possible rather than those other team's protected selections. 

The Magic are a fun sleeper team, also owning their own future firsts plus so much young talent, Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Markelle Fultz, as well as medium-sized salaries like Gary Harris and Mo Bamba that they seem like the perfect team to make the leap from the league's basement to competitive relevancy with a lineup built around Mitchell, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. They may not be able to get involved until January due to the fact that they re-signed several of their higher-salary veterans though, and it does seem like the Jazz have incentive to move sooner than later. 

After the Mitchell trade, Utah has a number of veterans including Patrick Beverley, Jordan Clarkson, Malik Beasley, Bojan Bogdanovic, Rudy Gay and Jarred Vanderbilt who could net the team assets on top of what they'll receive in the bigger deal. They could even become the key to a bigger deal that addresses the Durant saga and some Lakers woes we'll get to next, since they own a significant flow of picks and salaries, with little incentive to compete soon.

4. It's hard to believe the Lakers arrived here two seasons after their 17th championship in the Bubble. LeBron James is on the verge of free agency next summer, Anthony Davis just had his most injury-riddled and uneven performances when he played since early in his career, Russell Westbrook couldn't have played worse, an array of veteran minimum signings fizzled out and head coach Frank Vogel became the scapegoat and got fired. A nightmare season could get worse, with the front office seemingly taking a stand on protecting its 2027 and 2029 first-round picks, the only available to them with others owed to New Orleans from the Davis trade and a cast of young, largely unproven players replacing the aforementioned vets. Why they ever traded Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma, while letting Alex Caruso go is anybody's guess. 

The Darvin Ham hire received praise, but he's already facing a tough balancing act in discussing Westbrook's role, which sounds remarkably similar to the one Vogel stressed but never achieved, more screening, a defense-first mentality, rolls and cuts off-ball, along with spot benching in crunch time when games call for it. Westbrook showed little willingness to to commit any of that, with Zach Lowe highlighting that Westbrook set eight screens for James in an early game last season then didn't set more than one until March. Westbrook succeeded on low volume on corner threes, but wouldn't take them. He shot 36.3% from the field, 16.7% from three and 62.5% at the line in February, while turning the ball over 3.5 times per game. It isn't that Westbrook makes a ton of money, he's owed $47-million for one more season, it'd be hard to imagine him playing on a minimum for this team because he won't accept a role. So what's the upside to keeping him around for that remaining season beyond money, pride and avoiding a difficult decision? 

The Kyrie Irving trade dream would've been a golden ticket to a potential last hurrah for this core, and at best the start of something new in LA with a formidable big three. That's not in the cards for now, so a smaller deal built around the two firsts for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner makes sense for now. A Davis-Turner combination could be awkward though defensively dominant. Hield provides the opposite of Westbrook's game, one-dimensional, but focused on floor spacing that James needs. He'd also give Ham more lineup flexibility in case any one of Austin Reaves, Max Christie, Kendrick Nunn, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Troy Brown Jr. or Lonnie Walker IV show out. Wenyen Gabriel and Stanley Johnson were solid, defensively-focused finds last year. There's a world where this group is competitive. Is that good enough to sell James on staying long-term? If the team senses it's not and needs to hold onto its picks, they're in an impossible situation. They owe a 2023 pick swap to the Pelicans, who can then choose to take 2024 or 2025 outright. 

5. The Cavaliers and restricted free agent Collin Sexton remain at a standstill, one that could end with him taking the one-year, $7.2-million qualifying offer that'd send him to unrestricted free agency next summer. He'd gamble long-term money if he struggles in 2022-23, and his role could become smaller than the one that earned him a high-level scoring reputation in 2020-21. This is Darius Garland's team now, and though Sexton could fit in on an increasingly talented roster there'd now be individual incentives for him to balance alongside the team's. 

The Cavs would almost benefit from raising their offer, which Chris Fedor reported was most recently three-years, $40-million. They're not competing against anyone, but keeping Sexton long-term as a productive bench player, trade asset and not losing him for nothing next summer beats saving a few million dollars now. Of course, Cleveland is only $13-million short of the luxury tax threshold and may desire some flexibility for an aforementioned free agent in 2023, but that stargazing isn't necessary anymore. Garland is a maestro at point, Evan Mobley could've won defensive player of the year as a rookie, this team looked dominant on that end with Jarrett Allen next to him and first-round pick Ochai Agbaji projects to be the perfect 3-and-D wing for this group. This team has what it takes to make an east finals with Sexton in the mix. Keep an eye on them.

6. Other free agents remaining -- Carmelo Anthony, LaMarcus Aldridge, Demarcus Cousins, Blake Griffin, Montrezl Harrell, Dwight Howard, Michael Carter-Williams, Dennis Schröder, Eric Bledsoe, Tristan Thompson, Hassan Whiteside and Cody Zeller. Miles Bridges is a restricted free agent currently awaiting an Aug. 19 preliminary hearing for domestic violence charges. Kemba Walker will soon enter the market once the Pistons waive him. 

7. The NBA could use a new collective bargaining agreement ahead of the 2023-24 season, with both the players and teams sharing an opt-out this December. The player's union and owners began speaking during the NBA Finals and will continue to over the coming months, with priorities for the league including addressing the wave of trade demands from stars in recent seasons, including the latest from Durant with four years remaining on his contract. Pay-to-play will be a discussion after the Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons sagas, though Zach Lowe and others have noted it'll be a non-starter for the players, who have enjoyed guaranteed contracts. The luxury tax will be a significant issue with teams like the Warriors frustrated over the significant penalties for keeping their roster together and smaller-market teams irked by the massive spending threshold Golden State has burst through despite the mechanism's intent being to balance the larger and smaller markets. Adam Silver wants an in-season tournament and is amicable to eliminating the one-and-done rule, allowing players to once again enter the NBA Draft immediately after high school. The two sides will need to divide a potential $70.2-billion TV deal coming in 2025 and other interesting tweaks to the league could include the regular season schedule length, restrictions on extensions like Jaylen Brown's that limit team's to increasing a veteran's salary by 120% who aren't making the max and perhaps even contract lengths could be adjusted. 

“This needs to be a two-way street,” Silver said at Summer League. “Teams provide enormous security and guarantees to players and the expectation is, in return, they will meet their end of the bargain. I’m realistic that there’s always conversations that are going to go on behind closed doors between players and their representatives and the teams. But we don’t like to see players requesting trades, and we don’t like to see it playing out the way it is."

8. Tyler Herro, Grant Williams, Darius Bazley, Kevin Porter Jr., Caris LeVert, Jerami Grant, Draymond Green and Khris Middleton are among the more intriguing extension-eligible players, though little seems imminent with any of their contracts. Herro, in particular, remains critical to any hope of the Heat shaking up their roster ahead of the season, as an extension would severely limit his ability to be moved due to the poison pill provision, which creates an imbalance between your outgoing and incoming salary numbers in trades. LeBron James can also sign an extension, while Jaylen Brown and Dejounte Murray who have outplayed their contracts will inevitably enters 2024 free agency due to the aforementioned 120% rule on their max extensions. They'll both earn significantly more than that on the open market. 

9. As the Spurs seem poised for a rebuild, Gregg Popovich still hasn't announced whether or not he's returning to the sidelines. He had previously expressed an unwillingness to tank earlier in his career, before he became more amicable to a younger, developmental team in recent years since Kawhi Leonard's departure. The Spurs have a number of helpful veterans including Josh Richardson, Jakob Poetl and Doug McDermott on the roster who are inevitably available for the right price. 

10. What Nets would become available if the team does end up moving on from Durant and Irving? Ben Simmons probably isn't movable on his current contract, but Seth Curry and Joe Harris would be intriguing trade targets as elite shooters. Patty Mills and TJ Warren wouldn't become trade-eligible until the winter, while Royce O'Neale's value would probably fall somewhere around the first-round pick Brooklyn initially gave up to acquire him.

Here's what else happened in the NBA this week...

Boston: Signed Bruno Caboclo after an MVP season in Brazil and successful Summer League stint with Utah along with Noah Vonleh after a productive season in China. Both players are 26, standing 6-10 and struggled to find their NBA footing in various locations after getting drafted in the first round in 2014. They also both boast impressive physical tools and project to get in the mix for the backup big man spot with Luke Kornet and two-way center Mfiondu Kabengele. The Celtics aren't in a rush to fill the role and haven't loved the free agency and trade options since trading Daniel Theis. Caboclo and Vonleh join on training camp deals, leaving three full-time roster spots open and an additional camp invite for a maximum of 18 rostered players and pair of two-way contracts through the preseason. Jay King reported that Summer League forwards Justin Jackson and Brodric Thomas are in the mix to earn roles as well, with sharpshooter Matt Ryan less likely. 

Brooklyn: Steve Bulpett reported that Kevin Durant and Nets owner Joe Tsai plan to meet following Durant's trade demand last week and the Nets' unsuccessful effort to deal him that followed. They'll likely discuss Durant's ongoing points of frustration with no indication that the stalled market has hindered his desire to leave Brooklyn. The Nets have kept their team in a position to remain competitive if Durant returns and without their first-round picks through 2028 have little incentive to tank. The question remains whether Durant will take his demand to the next level and hold out of training camp to get his wish. The two sides finally coming together after little apparent communication prior provides some hope that they can start moving in the direction toward running it back with Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons by his side next year. If Durant's contention is that the Nets would not sign Irving long-term, a successful season from both would definitely set up a new deal. Ian Begley reported that Irving and the Nets are in a good place as the 2022-23 season nears. 

Chicago: Officially announced the Goran Dragic signing (1-year, $2.9-million) adding him and Andre Drummond to last year's mix with rookies Dalen Terry and Justin Lewis. They didn't win the offseason, but there's nothing better than building on last season with the hope of health, internal growth and continuity. A full Patrick Williams season, more complete year from Alex Caruso and the return of Derrick Jones Jr. should give the team some flexibility to play around Nikola Vucevic's limitations. DeMar DeRozan had a legitimately MVP-worthy debut season with the Bulls and Zach LaVine's return bodes well even if Lonzo Ball's return from knee surgery proves uneven. There's a version of this team that competes for the east title, and that should be exciting for Chicago after years of mediocrity following Derrick Rose's injuries. They also have some trade flexibility with their array of salaries later in the season if this mix doesn't prove to rise above the middle of the east.

Cleveland: The Cavaliers' rise, Lakers' fall and LeBron James' impending free agency have sporadically raised the question of whether a third James stint in Cleveland would be feasible. Joe Vardon, Chris Fedor and others have all recently discussed the lack of urgency the Cavs have moved with toward competing for James' services next summer, unlike in 2014 when their entire strategy seemed aligned with bringing him back as they eventually would. Still, the door isn't closed as Kevin Love, Caris LeVert and four other Cavaliers come off the books and clear significant salary. Since James has over 10 years of experience, his $46.7-million starting salary with a new team would match the maximum he can re-sign with the Lakers for in 2023-24, with Cleveland able to send plenty of money back in a sign-and-trade. As for the current team, Lowe and Fedor had a good discussion on the Cavs' spacing including Isaac Okoro's nearly unmatched lack of gravity when he's at the three-point line and how a three-point percentage at face value isn't always the whole story. 

Dallas: The EuroBasket tournament in September will be the next fun event on the basketball calendar after what could be an unusually busy August for some teams. Others like the Mavericks will look forward to watching Luka Doncic compete for Slovenia, where he'll be joined by Bulls guard Goran Dragic. Doncic averaged 23.8 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 9.5 APG and 1.2 SPG on 44.9% shooting in the Olympics last summer. EuroBasket begins on Sept. 1 with Slovenia in Group B opening against Domantas Sabonis and Lithuania in host Germany, with France, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina rounding out the division. 

Golden State: Draymond Green and Steve Kerr called JaMychal Green to recruit him to the Warriors upon his release from the Thunder last month. The Nuggets dumped Green to Oklahoma City ahead of the final year of his contract after his 31-year-old season where he took a step back to 6.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG, a 48.6% mark from the field and 26.6% from three, his biggest drop-off as a 36.6% career shooter from deep. OKC soon released him, and Green never expected a call from Golden State, who'll benefit from positioning him in a similar role to the one Otto Porter Jr. vacated. Porter benefited from a shooting bump after a similarly struggle-filled season prior to joining the Warriors, and Draymond will benefit as much as anyone by being able to take nights off with JaMychal filling those small ball five minutes. It was one of the offseason's underrated additions. 

Houston: The most unsung trade request perhaps ever came from Rockets forward KJ Martin (son of Kenyon Martin) two months ago amid a logjam at forward. The demand didn't initially draw much interest as Martin, but teams have started inquiring on Martin, whose $1.8-million contract is non-guaranteed this season, averaged 8.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG and 1.3 APG in his second season on 53.3% shooting. He's a 36% career shooter from three on only 2.1 attempts per game, though his per-36 production and athleticism does point toward perhaps some untapped potential. Though Martin isn't a player who will swing any team's fortunes, he does present an interesting case of whether or not any player at any time could escape their current situation with a trade request as more, to Adam Silver's disdain, become public and granted. Elsewhere, free agent Dennis Schröder, who played for the Celtics and Rockets last year, will get a chance to showcase himself with the German national team. 

Indiana: Lost depth guard Duane Washington Jr. to the Suns, another consequence to the Deandre Ayton offer sheet that required the Pacers to release Washington, and waive-and-stretch former Celtics Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan and Nik Stauskas. They aren't significant losses for rebuilding Indiana, but they do show the hoops teams have to jump through to get in the restricted free agency game and how players like Ayton can be stuck on the market for a long time awaiting a suitor while his current team stays put. Phoenix ultimately saved a fifth-year on Ayton's contract and signed Washington to a two-way deal, which the Pacers could've also done, but chose not to match. Teams can't rescind waiving players to create space for an offer sheet, but a CBA quirk does allow them to regain their cap hold on Lance Stephenson.

Clippers: Another team standing pat at the depth big man position and showing why there's a lack of demand for players like Dwight Howard on the free agent market into August. LA will reportedly keep its options open after losing Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency. They have one of the league's best starting big men in Ivica Zubac and can play small by moving a wing like Marcus Morris into the interior. Amir Coffey and rookie Moussa Diabate also bring some interior-worthy size. Former BC guard Reggie Jackson, who's preparing to once again battle for his role alongside John Wall, recounted nearly retiring after the Pistons cast him off during the 2019-20 season. In three seasons with the Clippers the 32-year-old has averaged 13.5 PPG, 3.9 APG and raised his shooting to 36.8% from deep. 

Lakers: The Lakers and LeBron James can now officially negotiate a contract extension, which Keith Smith detailed could involve one or two additional years as he enters his 38-year-old season. James and LA are almost certainly in line on the numbers, a max contract the prerequisite even as he enters year 20 in the league, having just nearly won the scoring championship with 30.3 PPG on 52.4% FG. The bigger questions are James' intention of playing with his son, which would come at the earliest in 2024-25 under the current draft rules. How insistent is James on pressuring the Lakers to utilize their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks to improve the roster now, knowing that James will inevitably be long gone when those seasons come? How can James and Russell Westbrook coexist for another season after the pair proved to be a horrible fit together? New head coach Darvin Ham's power to bench the guard in crunch time is already being gauged, for this?

Minnesota: Made two quiet, solid additions in former Warriors and Jazz forward Eric Paschall, who averaged 9.8 PPG and 3.2 RPG through his first three seasons and improved his three-point shot to 37% on 108 tries last year in Utah. Third-year forward C.J. Elleby came over from Portland to compete for the 15th roster spot on an Exhibit 10 deal that could keep the 22-year-old in Minnesota's G-League sphere. His numbers didn't improve drastically despite expanded opportunity on the tanking Blazers, but he did play hard, brings 6-6 size and shot better from the field and three over his rookie campaign. The Timberwolves now have 15 players, plus Elleby as one of four camp invites. 

New Orleans: Pelicans rookie Dyson Daniels, a flashy playmaker who struggled to shoot with G-League Ignite last season and didn't play much in the Summer League due to an injury will work with 13th-year Pelicans assistant Fred Vinson. The shooting guru helped Lonzo Ball transform from a funky-formed prospect into one of the best three-point shooters in the league over the past few seasons, and has also helped Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones become significantly more efficient shooters upon joining the Pelicans. Daniels shot 13-for-51 (25.5%) from deep with Ignite after a 30.2% run with the U19 Australian national team in the World Cup. 

New York: After Knicks and Jazz talks regarding Donovan Mitchell stalled late last month, Michael Scotto revealed the two teams and the Lakers discussed a three-team deal sending Russell Westbrook to Utah, Jazz role players received in the Rudy Gobert trade to LA and Mitchell to New York. It's an intriguing idea to maximize Utah's draft capital in a Mitchell deal, while effectively eating a significant expiring salary that'll become cap space next summer in Westbrook. It didn't change both New York and LA's unwillingness to meet the high asking price in terms of draft capital to both move Westbrook and acquire Mitchell. This is a great idea, but perhaps one that needs more urgency in those two big cities to set into motion, as Danny Ainge has no incentive to rush a trade to send out his star, who's signed long-term. 

Orlando: The Magic seem like a fun dark horse Mitchell candidate on paper, a lackluster franchise over the past decade starting to catch some steam after landing No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero, drafting All-Rookie forward Franz Wagner last year and returning top prospects Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac from year-long injury. The Nikola Vucevic trade in 2021 landed them Wendell Carter Jr. and the pick that became Wagner, which already looks like a win. They also have additional prospects in Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, R.J. Hampton, Chuma Okeke and Gary Harris on a medium-sized contract. Could that and future draft picks be a worthy consolidation move if the Magic get off to a faster start than expected? It'd be surprising, but he'd be a fun fit that would help accelerate this group's timeline and maintain a long window and being able to do it without trading one of Fultz or Suggs, Banchero, Wagner and Carter would maintain the starting lineup. 

Philadelphia: Doc Rivers denied tampering accusations the NBA is now investigating into the 76ers' signing of P.J. Tucker and Danuel House, with James Harden's carefully timed first-year pay cut in his new contract coming after those two signings quickly kicked off free agency. 

"First of all, we didn't know what we were going to do with the money we were getting," Rivers said. "And listen, James won, too, because James could've opted into a one-year deal. Instead, we gave him three years. And so both parties won in a lot of ways. Listen, it worked out for us, it worked out for James."

Even if Philadelphia is penalized for tampering, recent investigations into the Kyle Lowry and Lonzo Ball additions by the Heat and Bulls didn't result in the reversal of the contracts and only caused those teams to lose second-round picks. It's emblematic of a renewed, but still relatively lackadaisical effort by the NBA to penalize tampering, which would be difficult to enforce strictly and fairly. It's an August topic. 

Toronto: The Raptors will host the first NBA Canada preseason series for its home games on Oct. 2 against the Jazz, which will take place in Edmonton, before they host the Celtics in Montreal on Oct. 14 at the Bell Centre.