NBA Notebook: 10 players and storylines impacting the Celtics' championship hopes

Training camp looms as the Celtics' roster slowly returns to full to Brighton, Robert Williams III, Al Horford, Dalano Banton, Jordan Walsh, DJ Steward and Payton Pritchard visible working out in Boston in a team social media post. Kristaps Porziņģis will soon join them after Latvia lost to Germany on a last-second shot in the FIBA quarterfinals. A win would've secured Porziņģis a spot in the Olympics next summer, and Latvia will instead enter Olympic qualifying play over the next year to try to reach Paris. Jayson Tatum will inevitably join Team USA's push for revenge in July. 

The end of the World Cup on Sunday signals the NBA season looming, and with several signings marking the end of the offseason, many stories remain unresolved. Damian Lillard never left Portland. James Harden has to report to training camp to become a free agent next year. Various questions follow Boston into training camp too, but it's worth taking a look at 10 players and storylines outside Boston that could impact their championship push: 

1. How will the Miami Heat account for their offseason losses? Gabe Vincent and Max Strus departed the Heat as critical components to their NBA Finals run and upset over the Celtics. A Heat team returning in full or adding Lillard could've opened as East favorites, and instead will project to finish near the bottom of the conference's playoff picture again. That won't bother Miami and it developed unsung talent in the past, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic favorites to solidify the team's perimeter play. Jimmy Butler can pick up Vincent's ball-handling duties in larger lineups if those young players emerge. That's a tall task, Jaquez a 32.8% three-point shooter at UCLA and Jovic hitting 34.5% of his in 12 G-League appearances last year. Both players intrigue me and Caleb Martin proved himself over a long run of playoff success. Tyler Herro returns from hand injury either driven or discouraged by an offseason full of trade talks. What they do through the spring doesn't matter. Skepticism is warranted until they add Lillard, who among these wings can guard Boston? Similarly short-handed Heat teams did before, making them the team to beat for Boston regardless of where they finish. If Lillard arrives, they'll become East favorites depending on what they send out in a trade and can develop around their three stars. 

2. Who will remain on the 76ers beyond the trade deadline? Laugh all you want at Philadelphia's dismay. Daryl Morey's insistence on holding this team together could prove futile. If they can make amends in camp, this team stood one quarter from eliminating the Celtics in round two and beat them in Game 1 without Joel Embiid. If Nick Nurse can scheme defenses that minimize weak links like Harden and Tyrese Maxey, while maximizing Embiid's nearly unmatched rim protection abilities, this team maintains top-five potential in the league. If Harden completely mails in camp, undermines Morey to the point where Philadelphia settles on an unfitting return and Embiid begins eyeing an exit in short order, consider this one less contender alongside the Celtics. Be careful what you wish for though -- the New York Knicks have the pieces to pull off an Embiid trade in the near future and could be more dangerous. Another part of me wonders if, befitting the madness of NBA transactions, whether Ben Simmons could return to Philadelphia for Harden. 

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo. Nikola Jokić passed him as the league's best player. The Heat embarrassed the Bucks in the first round. Antetokounmpo tried and struggled to play and underwent offseason clean-up surgery that forced him to miss the World Cup. He sent a message to the organization even after they hired his preferred coaching candidate in Adrian Griffin -- do what it takes to win if you want me to extend. Many began wondering following modest offseason moves, established head coaches choosing other destinations and Giannis' hesitancy to commit to a fall extension whether this era of Bucks basketball could end sooner rather than later. As long as a healthy Antetokounmpo takes the floor, he'll never stop driving toward the basket and disrupting offenses, with the time and motivation behind him to power his best season ever. That's after a season where he averaged 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks per game on 55.3% shooting. His three-point (27.5%), free throw (64.5%) and mid-range (35.9%) took steps back last year, pressuring a Bucks offense that lacked Khris Middleton for much of the season. My concerns about him and Milwaukee's supporting cast linger, Boston owned the Bucks in 2023 by an average of 19 points per game, but Giannis will scare me as long as he suits up in green.

4. Did Cleveland add enough at the wing? The Cavaliers beat Boston in 3-of-4 meetings last year despite starting two small guards and a combination of Isaac Okoro, Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens, Dean Wade and guard Caris LeVert at the wing. Okoro and Wade return as solid defenders, and Cleveland added Strus and Georges Niang for shooting, and Ty Jerome for offense versatility. The Cavaliers don't have a Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown counter, not even close, but focusing on creation, floor spacing and interior defense gives them options to counter most NBA lineups. Cleveland quietly finished with the second-best net rating in the regular season (+5.6) in the NBA behind the Celtics. Their poor wing depth cost them in a loss to a similarly physical and versatile Knicks team. Changes here intrigue me. Emoni Bates gives them a flier at forward star power.  They're a tough matchup for Boston. Evan Mobley needs to take offensive steps or they can't beat the necessary teams in the east to reach a matchup with the Celtics. 

5. Are the Nuggets a Warriors-like juggernaut? Nobody even slowed Nikola Jokić as he, Jamal Murray and a deep array of versatile role players practically walked to a championship following years of doubt surrounding an under-covered team. The Timberwolves tried utilizing two bigs and attacking Denver's vulnerable defense with athleticism and shooting, but fell behind 0-3 before Anthony Edwards took off. Phoenix worked a 2-2 tie before Jokić's 34.5 PPG, 13.2 RPG and 10.3 APG overwhelmed the Suns across six games. The Lakers played the Nuggets tough in every game and got swept. By that time, even if the Celtics came back down 0-3 against the Heat, they would've entered the Finals as underdogs against the Nuggets. It's no wonder Boston added a big in Kristaps Porziņģis that helps the Celtics mix-and-match inside, since Denver might not be the insurmountable roster that Golden State became last decade, but Jokić is that unsolvable star Steph Curry became during that run. This concern ranks lower due to the Nuggets playing in the West. They're nonetheless a heavy favorite to await Boston in a Finals series if the C's make it there. An aside: I love how the in-season tournament could give these and other east-west matchups a chance to play a third time during the regular season. 

6. Tyrese Haliburton. The Pacers haven't assembled enough talent to beat the Celtics in a series. Haliburton reached a level of play last season that'll make it difficult to defeat Indiana on any given night. Additions like Jarace Walker and Obi Toppin at the four make this team deeper and more versatile after a season where they quietly ranked sixth in the east before Haliburton fell injured. The Pacers beat the Celtics in Boston in December, then forced overtime in a race to 140 points in February. Teams like Indiana and Oklahoma City remind you that the Celtics aren't one of the younger, more athletic teams in the league anymore. The Pacers and Thunder unloaded some of the most devastating offensive performances against Boston by running and gunning, while Tatum admitted in multiple media appearances this summer that getting up against the league's lower-tier teams became difficult after the 2022 NBA Finals run. Haliburton, who averaged 20.7 PPG and 10.4 APG last year before starring for Team USA this summer, circled a 2024 meeting with Boston on national TV as his coming out party. Keep an eye on Indiana as a potentially tough first or second-round playoff opponent. Rick Carlisle can coach.

7. Are the Knicks building something? Another team that outplayed the Celtics a year ago and nearly met them in the east finals. My doubts remain about some of their prospects like RJ Barrett, Julius Randle's playoff struggles extended over two postseasons in the spring and it's hard to believe in the competency of the organization, historically. They reportedly mulled moves for Zach LaVine and Harden, not exactly needle-movers. Donovan Mitchell dreams remain, and though they'd become the favorite to land Embiid if he eventually asks out, they failed to get a Mitchell deal done against Danny Ainge's large asking price last summer. Daryl Morey and Philadelphia would provide no less of a hard bargain. In the meantime, Quentin Grimes enters this season as one of the league's best defensive specialists with some offensive upside, Josh Hart filled every need following his arrival at the trade deadline and Donte DiVincenzo signed as one of the league's most underrated free-agent additions. Jalen Brunson proved himself a star. They beat Boston in all three games in 2023, Randle and Immanuel Quickley too physical and fast, respectively, for the Celtics' defensive personnel. 

8. Will a Lillard mystery team emerge? The Nets could send Simmons and premium future Mavericks and Suns first-round picks. The Raptors could trade Scottie Barnes. Both rosters sit in enough flux as borderline playoff teams with bloated salaries who lost their front-line stars over the past two years. Enough remains on both rosters to allow Lillard to point the needle toward contention, and both situations provide enough to sway Lillard, signed long-term, to commit fully for at least one season. So far, reporting suggests only the Heat seriously inquired about adding Lillard. That's surprising to me, since Pascal Siakam and Jakob Poetl give Toronto enough to compete in the front court without enough in the back court. The Nets boast plenty of defensive versatility and size, but will probably rank among the league's worst offenses without enough firepower in their back court either. Neither team turned toward a full-scale rebuild either, and both teams carry enough tradition of trying to win now that neither would surprise my a Lillard mystery teams.

9. Will the Clippers come calling for Malcolm Brogdon again? Health concerns nixed the Porziņģis deal that would've sent Brogdon to LA, but both teams reportedly resumed talks later as LA tries to solidify its back court in a loaded west. Russell Westbrook played well and Norman Powell provided needed scoring punch in a first-round loss to the Suns. Between their pursuit of Harden and Brogdon, it's clear the Clippers believe they need more of a balance between scoring, shooting and passing from its guards. Brogdon's status enters camp as my top Celtics question, and LA's ability to achieve health, consistent offensive play and receive depth contributions could impact Boston whether by pushing them to aggressively pursue Harden, breaking up the Sixers, or circle back on Brogdon. LA's status as a second apron team makes a deal complicated, since they'd need to match Brodgon's $22.5-million contract dollar-for-dollar. Powell alone doesn't do that, so they'd need to re-route three minimum contracts elsewhere to complete such a deal. 

10. Did the Warriors' run come to an end? Consider me a skeptic regarding the Paul fit. Especially if he needs to start for a team that played better in their bigger looks last season. Beyond the basketball, Paul and Draymond Green's tough leadership tactics could lead to heads butting in the room. Klay Thompson's continued erratic offense hurt Golden State at times, and the team's younger cast struggled again to contribute. The James Wiseman-Gary Payton II swap should help with a full offseason for Payton II to re-acclimate and recover. Losing DiVincenzo could offset that. Steph Curry will compete for the MVP award again, and this team's championship pedigree should continue to scare the Celtics from afar. Their first-round struggles against the Kings and eventual uncompetitive loss to the Lakers made it look like the window closed for this group in the spring, and the Jordan Poole trade accelerated their pivot in a new direction -- an uncertain one. 

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

Atlanta: Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Serbian national team past the Canadian co-favorites in the World Cup to give the team a shot at a gold medal on Sunday against Germany despite Nikola Jokic sitting out. Bogdanovic scored 23 points, leading Serbia for the fourth straight game, and finishing 8-for-12 from the field. He passed Dirk Nowitzki in all-time World Cup scoring with 427 points, and is averaging 19.4 PPG on 51.7% FG (40.4% 3PT) this summer. He's signed to a four-year, $68 million extension beginning this season with a fourth-year team option. The FIBA title game tips-off at 8:30 a.m.

Boston: Jayson Tatum opened up about his relationship with Boston, the Marcus Smart trade and his on-court dynamic with Jaylen Brown in an interview with Jeff Goodman. Tatum hoped he would've played with Smart forever and exited last season proud of the strides he and Brown made. He also spoke about leadership, admitting he'll never be as intense Kevin Garnett, but that he leads and draws his teammate's attention in his own way. Blake Griffin is currently unlikely to return to the team.  

“Just recently I started to feel the connection with Boston,” Tatum said. “I have spent my adult life here, my son has grown up here, I’ve grown up here. I’ve accomplished so many things. It’s happened so fast, and Boston has played such an intricate part of my life. I just feel like I relate more, a lot more in these last two years. At first it was like I live here, but I’m from St. Louis. I’m a St. Louis kid. Now I’m a part of Boston. I really feel a connection with the city and the people of Boston.”

Dallas: Officials ejected Luka Dončić after he sparred with Dillon Brooks throughout Slovenia's second half collapse against Canada that left the Slovenians finishing seventh at best in the tournament. Fouling proved a problem throughout the World Cup, with technical fouls included among the player's personal ones in international play. Dončić led the field with 26.7 PPG on 41.7% FG with 6.7 RPG and 5.9 APG. He struggled from three and exited the knockout round with over six minutes remaining, unable to help Slovenia advance as they'll need to reach the Olympics through qualifiers. 

“It’s a lot of emotions. A lot of times, I don’t control myself, which I’ve been having problems with,” he said.

Detroit: Team USA fell to Germany in the FIBA World Cup semifinals, and while the 2019 team fell in large part due to Bam Adebayo's absence, this one will look back missing Cade Cunningham most. Rebounding and size cost the Americans most in the loss to Germany, but their lack of connectivity across rotations led to offensive droughts in other moments during the tournament. Tyrese Haliburton came off the bench for the entirety of the tournament despite logging some of its best minutes. Cunningham would've provided better balance and size alongside Jalen Brunson than Josh Hart could provide. Cunningham shined for the Select Team, deciding against participating with the FIBA squad in favor of fully recovering for the season.

Golden State: Marc Spears predicted Chris Paul will start for the Warriors in five-minute spurts before staggering into second units, shedding light on one of the offseason's biggest questions. Paul arrived on a team that started Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney as one of the best lineups in the NBA. Starting Paul leaves Looney on the bench and creates more questions than answers on the court, but given that off-court dynamics held the team back as much as any basketball issues in 2023, tipping-off with peace in the locker room isn't a bad bet. Steve Kerr faced similar lineup choices that led to Team USA's demise in the World Cup, unable to unlock Brandon Ingram and eventually benching him.

"I do expect (Paul) to start. And I think it's like five-minute spurts," Spears said. "I don't know that they really want his minutes to be high, but I think they're gonna try it. I could be wrong, but that's the gist I'm getting. This isn't an opinion that he's expected to start. It's what I'm hearing. He's never not started in his career."