NBA Notebook: One question for every Celtics rival NBA championship contender

While the Celtics ran back their roster this offseason following their 2024 NBA championship, several teams in the east and west made major additions hoping to match Boston's offensive firepower and defensive versatility. While Boston will remain favorited to repeat despite having a few questions of their own, the Knicks, 76ers and Oklahoma City made compelling moves to narrow the gap between themselves and the Celtics, while the Bucks, Timberwolves, Nuggets and joined Philadelphia and Oklahoma as the five teams that played Boston toughest last regular season, mostly running back their own compelling rosters. 

The Knicks weren't in that group, losing four straight to the Celtics to begin last season before trading RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for OG Anunoby, which sparked a 20-3 finish to the regular season with Anunoby in the lineup that included a blowout win at Boston. The Celtics had already wrapped up their seeding by that point, but played all their regular contributors in an eventual 118-109 loss. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined to shoot 2-for-12 from three that night and the Knicks climbed to the two seed before their health crumbled in the playoffs. Julius Randle (shoulder) did not play in New York's win. 

How the Knicks will stay healthy while logging Tom Thibodeau minutes is an intriguing story to watch that pairs with their larger question. New York became a popular choice to emerge as Boston's biggest challenger when they traded Bojan Bogdanovic and a massive package of first-round picks for Mikal Bridges, a seemingly perfect fit who can guard multiple Celtics perimeter players while providing secondary ball-handling and shooting. The trade followed new CBA restrictions that hard capped New York though, making Isaiah Hartenstein's departure inevitable. Randle remains, who rarely plays center, and Mitchell Robinson is a starting caliber big. He's often hurt, though, playing 31 games before another ankle injury ended his postseason. Only 6-8 Precious Achiuwa, fourth-year leaper Jericho Sims and two-way rookie Ariel Hukporti fill the team's depth at the five behind Robinson. 

There was a case to move on from Randle. He's a talented scorer and big shooter who's made two All-NBA teams and is due for a new contract soon. His playoff struggles have hurt the Knicks in the spring while Hartenstein, admittedly in his first great season, dominated through the east finals, averaging 8.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in the postseason. New York opted for more wings, more perimeter versatility on both ends and having multiple big bodies to throw at Boston's star wings. It's a bet on health and the team's ability to reach a series with the Celtics, but they're well-built to compete if Jalen Brunson repeats his 2024 MVP-caliber campaign. Another question -- would Brunson be the best player in a Boston-New York series? 

The Bucks fell behind New York in the regular season's final days after Giannis Antetokounmpo went down for the second straight year with an injury that knocked him out of the playoffs. Khris Middleton went on to undergo surgery on both ankles this offseason while the team reportedly mulled trading Brook Lopez, 37 next season, before deciding to run back its core. Doc Rivers gets a full offseason with a new staff that includes former Lakers coach Darvin Ham and Damian Lillard returns without the turbulence of an offseason trade request and surprise move. Given their resources, Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince and Delon Wright were excellent upgrades, while 19-year-old draft picks AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith face an uphill battle to contribute in the playoffs. The Bucks beat Boston by 33 and 13 points in their home games, while the Celtics took a pair of similar games in Boston that they controlled early then nearly squandered late, winning each by three. 

The questions for Milwaukee at either end are whether Lillard and Antetokounmpo can play off each other directly more often in year two and whether Rivers' staff can stabilize what became a disastrous defensive unit early under Adrian Griffin last year. The Bucks improved from allowing 116.3 points per 100 possessions to 113.3 under Rivers, who aggressively pursued better transition defense by abandoning the offensive glass, an area where the Celtics, in turn, stressed as a way to prevent their opponents from getting out on the run. Rivers' coaching effectiveness in the modern age is a question given his recent playoff letdowns while this group's age didn't help them over the last two years. Still, Antetokounmpo's in his prime and following two late-season letdowns and the team's drama from one year ago, they have the star, size and firepower to score with Boston. Only Denver and the Thunder can also say that. 

The Thunder might have the roster best suited to challenging the Celtics, adding Alex Caruso and Hartenstein to a team that already beat Boston 127-123 at home in the only game Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played. Oklahoma City finished third in offense and fourth in defense, their +7.3 net rating finishing second behind the Celtics' (+11.3) as the Thunder finished first in the loaded west. Chet Holmgren thrived as a rookie at center, posting 16.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG and 2.3 BPG while shooting 37% from three. He could potentially move to the four for the first time if Oklahoma City decides to start Hartenstein. Holmgren scored an excellent 1.28 points per possession as a roller last year and shot only 40.6% in spot-up situations. 

Fortunately for the Thunder, Holmgren shot 38.5% from three on catch-and-shoot threes, and Mark Daigneault will have the option to stagger Holmgren and Hartenstein. For Daigneault, the reigning coach of the year, generating more threes (34.2 att., 16th) will be important for a team that edged out the Celtics for the best percentage from deep in the league (38.9%). Oklahoma City matched Boston's three-point volume (40-40) and shot 45% on those attempts in its win. The Thunder shot 5-for-24 from three in the loss at Boston while the Celtics finished 17-for-40. Caruso shot 40.8% from three on 4.7 attempts per game last year in Chicago. 

The Nuggets beat the Celtics methodically in the regular season last year before running out of gas in round two without a capable backup to spell Nikola Jokić's minutes. Jokić built on being the best player in the world last year, but Denver missed Bruce Brown and then let Kentavious Caldwell-Pope go in free agency. Russell Westbrook could provide some useful cutting and rolling. Defenses will ignore him on the perimeter, which will hurt Jokić. Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther and Zeke Nnaji couldn't grow quickly enough into playoff performers while Jamal Murray's health and Michael Porter Jr.'s streakiness only further thinned the Nuggets' depth, the latter two combining to shoot 8-for-31 from three in Denver's final two losses to Minnesota. Daron Holmes II, the team's first-round pick who hoped to back up Jokić, tore his Achilles in Summer League. 

Their losses haven't saved them significantly from a cap standpoint, with only $5.2 million in space available below the second apron and this year will be their third over the tax line, setting up repeater penalties in 2025-26. The Nuggets badly need an upgrade alongside their top-four, and given their payroll situation, don't appear poised to add to their current salary structure. Does that mean one of Murray or Porter Jr. has to go to find more depth? They'll believe in the youth again first. It's a serious question whether or not they'll be able to escape the West. 

The Timberwolves also tried to address a ballooning cap sheet with youth additions, trading up to No. 8 overall to select scoring guard Rob Dillingham, who struggled in Summer League, and later taking forward Terrence Shannon Jr., who shined athletically and struggled from three. Veterans Mike Conley, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels did their jobs, with an enormous front line playing versatile enough defense to slow the Celtics' stars in their two meetings. Is Anthony Edwards ready to lead his team to the Finals at 23? With a golden opportunity to defeat Dallas and meet Boston in the championship, Edwards shot 38.6% from the field with 3.3 turnovers per game while falling behind 3-0. In past years, Towns and Gobert's partnership would've been the biggest concern here, but stronger discipline by Towns and Gobert returning to defensive player of the year form allowed the two bigs to minimize each other's weaknesses as the Wolves originally imagined they would. Edwards needs to glue it together, and despite his forcefulness, massive scoring outbreaks and flashes of elite defense, is working on the playmaking development Brown and Tatum went through. If they can't contend at the highest level next postseason, difficult money decisions await that the team kicked back by keeping all their veterans for now. 

The 76ers added a third star in Paul George thanks to drafting Tyrese Maxey and trading James Harden for expiring salaries. He's an ideal fit as an elite volume three-point shooter with the size to defend bigger wings. They're the first beneficiary of good management under the new second apron system, since the Clippers wouldn't commit to long-term tax and restrictions to keep George. They also acquired Caleb Martin, a likely starter who has historically hurt the Celtics and can also guard wings. They started last year 8-1, beating Boston 106-103 at home in November. Joel Embiid emerged as the MVP favorite again as the team improved to 20-8 (BOS started 22-6). Then, injuries struck again. It's not difficult to imagine the Sixers becoming the Celtics' biggest threat in the league if healthy. 

Beyond that obvious caveat, Maxey and Philadelphia need to find ways to curtail the guard's vulnerability on the defensive end. The Celtics tortured the weak links in opposing team's defenses, and that led to Maxey struggling to stay in games against Boston due to foul trouble. He's committed 30 fouls in his career against the Celtics (2.3 per game), the second-most he's given up against any team, and shot 38.1% from the field in those 13 appearances. That's his worst mark against any team. Philadelphia only finished 11th in defensive rating last year, and Embiid's 114.8 defensive rating was worse than their 113.0 for the season, which fell to 119 in the playoffs. From there, depth is a question in their big three setup, Nic Batum left, Kyle Lowry and Eric Gordon are another year older, while 76ers reporters have debated the merits of starting Guerschon Yabusele. Seriously. 

Other potential contenders....

Indiana: Posted a 24th-ranked regular season defense before ranking 13th out of 16 playoff teams on that end. They fought the Celtics in their most difficult series and the most competitive sweep you'll ever see. They deserve honorable mention given that effort. They'll never beat Boston in a series without a massive improvement on the defensive end. It's curious that they looked stronger on that end after Tyrese Haliburton went down in Game 2.

Cleveland: Their ability to take the rim away helped them steal a game at Boston in the second round while Donovan Mitchell is elite enough to play like the best player in a Boston-Cleveland series. Jarrett Allen didn't play in the second round, then Mitchell went down. That might've been a 6-7 game series with those two healthy. The Cavs struggled with health and wing play throughout last year, then changed coaches. If Kenny Atkinson can evolve their offense and find a way to mesh Mitchell and Darius Garland in the backcourt alongside the Allen and Evan Mobley frontcourt, they're dangerous. 

Miami: Always worth respecting given their recent success against Boston, it's worth asking if Jimmy Butler grew too old last year and they've lost too much in the summer since. Butler is playing on an expiring contract, Bam Adebayo sounds non-committal to becoming the team's top option on offense and Tyler Herro has mostly stagnated. Can Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez, Kel'el Ware and Haywood Highsmith take big enough steps to provide consistent depth contributions? Healthier seasons from veterans and former Celtics Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson could help too. 

Dallas: Klay Thompson will play the three where Derrick Jones Jr. became a revelation last year defensively. Focusing on that side of the ball more allowed them to become a Finals team. They'll hope that Thompson can become rejuvenated as a third option. That'll require him to regain some of the defensive stature from earlier in his career while accepting that he can't shoot his way out of slow nights anymore. Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving's ability to win any given series as a duo keeps them in the top half of west contenders.  

Orlando: A rock on defense that would make life difficult for Boston's offense between Jonathan Isaac, Jalen Suggs, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. When they saw an equally daunting defense on the other side in the first round in Cleveland, they stalled completely. How high can Banchero rise in the league's hierarchy? That'll likely dictate where the Magic finish in the east. 

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

Boston: Joe Mazzulla said he hopes this year's journey to a championship is 10 times harder and that teams have a target between their eyes as the Celtics prepare to defend their championship season. Mazzulla discussed the mindset it'll take to repeat, looked back at the Pacers series, explained how he drew inspiration from attending a Red Sox-Blue Jays game and more in an interview with John Karalis. Free agent Oshae Brissett continued to leave the door open to a return to the Celtics, but said in his recent vlog that it's beginning to set in that he might be leaving Boston. 

"Walking around Newbury Street, Boston, I get a little sad," Brissett said. "The thought of not coming back is crazy." 

Charlotte: Vasilije Micić addressed rumors that he would like to play with fellow Serbian Nikola Jokić, saying there was some interest, but that he is starting his second NBA season with the Hornets. Marc Stein had reported that Denver had pursued Micić. Clippers assistant and former Celtics consultant Jeff Van Gundy praised former Maine Celtics head coach Blaine Mueller, who's joining Charles Lee's first staff in Charlotte. 

"(He) did such a remarkable job," Van Gundy said on the Lowe Post. "I loved communicating with him about what I saw. He did a wonderful job improving not only the drafted and two way guys. He helped, as his staff did, the other guys who were filling out the roster. They’re going to have much more productive careers because of how he helped them."

Cleveland: Signed veteran center Tristan Thompson to a one-year deal after appearing in 49 regular season and 10 postseason games in his return to the Cavaliers last year. Thompson turns 33 this year and told Boston Sports Journal in May that he hopes to play for as long as he can before likely returning to the broadcasting role he filled during his 2022-23 NBA hiatus. He received a 25-game suspension for violating the league's anti-drug policy. The Cavs used the new delayed stretch provision to stretch the remaining portion of Ricky Rubio's $1.3 million contract through the 2026-27 season after he agreed to a buyout last year. Cleveland will receive a $424,672 annual cap hit over that stretch. 

Chicago: Signed Talen Horton-Tucker to an Exhibit 10 contract in the latest case of a notable free agent failing to secure a veteran's minimum. The Celtics and Lonnie Walker IV also agreed to a training camp deal last week. Horton-Tucker, 24 this season, spent the last two years in Utah's rotation after departing the Lakers. He averaged 10.5 PPG and 3.6 APG on 40.9% shooting and converted a career-best 33% from three. He's a Chicago native. Nikola Vučević addressed the Bulls' future after losing DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso this offseason in an interview with Marc Stein. 

“I think it’s just the way it is now. If things are not happening the way they should, change happens,” he said. “Sometimes it might be for the better, sometimes it might be for the worse. But we’ll see ... it’ll be an adjustment. It’s an opportunity for some other guys to step up and play — and we got [Josh] Giddey. We’ll just have to see how we do. It’s part of the NBA; change happens all the time. I think once we get going and once we start [training] camp and playing, I don’t think it’s something we’ll be thinking about. We’ll just be thinking about playing the best we can." 

Dallas: Became the latest team to go direct to consumers with their broadcast through TEGNA, ending their time as one of the teams that had trouble showing their games through Bally. Their games will be available locally and throughout other parts of Texas for free. Elsewhere, Amazon could pick up the streams of the remaining teams attached to Bally, which is in bankruptcy proceedings. Second-year Mavs center Dereck Lively II inadvertently criticized Rudy Gobert on Theo Pinson's podcast.

Denver: Signed Jamal Murray to a four-year, $208 million extension after a long-running negotiation and injury struggles that derailed Murray's postseason and Olympic run with Team Canada. Murray would've become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Zach Lowe said that there are rumblings Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and Denver's front office led by Calvin Booth aren't seeing eye-to-eye, adding that it's to a level even unusual in NBA circumstances. The last two off-seasons saw Bruce Brown depart Denver before the team lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this year. The Nuggets have tried to replace them with a cast of younger players, including Christian Braun, and minimum signing Russell Westbrook. Malone signed through 2026-27 and Booth agreed to a deal through 2025. Booth replaced Tim Connolly, who's now Minnesota's president, in 2022. The Wolves defeated Denver in May.

Golden State: NBC Sports Bay Area wrote that there is a minuscule chance Brandon Ingram lands with the Warriors due to a change in approach following the Kelly Oubre Jr. addition in 2020. Golden State now operates on finding consensus and avoiding taking risks on players who could carry sizable downsides. The money aspect doesn't help either, with the Warriors taking a step back from their previously monstrous payroll and Ingram reportedly seeking four-years, $208 million in an extension. 

"Lacob, according to league sources, was a loud voice – the “driving force,” according to one – in favor of trading for Oubre. So much so that it didn’t matter that this would double Golden State’s luxury tax bill. Oubre’s one season cost the Warriors more than $80 million in salary and luxury taxes," Monte Poole wrote. "Though the Warriors typically like to make collective decisions, that was not the case with Oubre ... there were pockets of dissent." 

Clippers: Paul George's father Paul Sr. said that he felt like the Clippers stabbed George and his family in the back during extension negotiations that eventually led to his departure. Paul Sr. said his son did a lot for LA, wasn't asking for too much in his demands and the experience hurt him personally.

"[George] does stand up for what he believes in. And so he felt that that was a bunch of bull that they came at him with. And I wasn't going to sugarcoat it either," he said. "Of course, it kind of put us in a little bump and grind, but it's all good. You love being at home [in Los Angeles], but sometimes home could kind of slow you down."

Lakers: Jarred Vanderbilt might not be ready for training camp or Lakers preseason games after suffering a foot injury last year that did not require surgery. The hope remains that he can be ready for regular season games, according to Mike Bresnahan, but foot injuries are often complicated. He missed the rest of the regular season after hurting himself on Feb. 1 against Boston. Gabe Vincent and Rui Hachimura are expected to be ready. 

Memphis: GG Jackson underwent surgery on his right foot to address a fifth metatarsal injury and will be evaluated in three months. He suffered the injury playing basketball last month after a standout rookie season. The Grizzlies officially signed former UNC star Armando Bacot and Team Japan standout Yuki Kawamura to training camp deals. That and two other deals filled Memphis' offseason roster. 

Miami: Picked up the fourth and third-year options for Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez ahead of the deadline for their team options for 2025-26. The wings will reportedly have opportunities to earn two of the three starting jobs alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Three starter jobs are open. Brian Windhorst said Butler is motivated entering a contract year following multiple disappointing Heat finishes in the regular season, and is more likely to play in situations where health might've made him 50-50 in the past. 

Minnesota: Rudy Gobert responded to Shaquille O'Neal calling Gobert the worst player of all time while criticizing him and Ben Simmons for not earning their large contracts. Tim Connolly said he wants to keep Gobert, who's extension-eligible, in Minnesota for a long time after his DPOY season.

New Orleans: Brandon Ingram never showed up to a mini camp in California that the team expected him to attend, according to the Athletic, another report that casts some doubt over his future with the team. Zion Williamson attended before leaving early for a Jordan event in China alongside Jayson Tatum, while Daniel Theis was expected to miss voluntary sessions. Ingram had reportedly helped organize the offseason activities in the past. Ingram is entering the final season of his contract and New Orleans does not appear interested in meeting his $200-million demand. Ingram didn't generate much trade interest this offseason. 

New York: OG Anunoby reportedly threatened to leave the Knicks this offseason if they didn't meet his contractual demands, culminating in a five-year, $212.5 million deal for the defensive wing they traded for last year. Julius Randle is next among New York's players that need a pay day, and while no deal appears imminent, the Knicks might utilize him to help fill gaps in their thinner front court with Isaiah Hartenstein gone and Mitchell Robinson often injured. A Ryan Arcidiacono return is reportedly unlikely in the back court, despite him playing alongside the Knicks' stars at Villanova. 

Philadelphia: New Jersey continues to push for the 76ers to move to Camden as their hopes for a downtown arena in Philadelphia dwindle. The 76ers said in a statement that they have appreciated the state's offers and have to consider all options, as they are running out of time to secure a plan that would allow them to leave the Wells Fargo Center for the 2031-32 season after their lease ends. New Jersey could extend $400-million in tax credits and a mixed-use facility on the waterfront and the 76ers' practice facility already resides in Camden. A plan to move downtown has met opposition. 

San Antonio: Chris Paul will wear No. 3 with the Spurs after Keldon Johnson agreed to change to No. 0. Paul, 39, has worn 3 since entering the NBA in 2005 and begins his 20th season with San Antonio after a year with Golden State in 2024. 

Toronto: RJ Barrett discussed returning to his hometown after joining the Raptors in a midseason trade from the Knicks last year. Barrett averaged 21.8 PPG, 6.4 RPG and 4.1 APG while shooting 55.3% from the field and 39.2% from three in 32 games with Toronto, where he landed alongside Immanuel Quickley. 

"It's just a literal dream come true," Barrett said. "I grew up with my dad taking me to games. […] When I found out I was coming home, I didn't know how to act. I was pinching myself and telling my people, 'We're really here. We're playing for the Toronto Raptors.'"

Washington: Evan Fournier turned down a two-year contract with the Wizards to sign with Olympiacos in Greece after playing the last 12 years in the NBA. Fournier said he did not want to take on a mentorship role with a losing team, as Washington projects to finish among the league's worst teams. He received a raucous welcome from the fans of his new team.