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NBA Draft
1) Select F Ben Sheppard With The #35 Pick
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Trades To Make
1) Trade Jaylen Brown to the Hornets for LaMelo Ball, and #41
2) Trade Marcus Smart, 2026 FRP, and #41 to the Raptors for OG Anunoby
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Free Agent Signings
1) Re-sign Grant Williams to a three-year contract worth $39M
2) Re-sign Mike Muscala to a one-year contract worth the minimum
3) Re-sign JD Davison to a one-year contract worth the minimum
4) Sign Chris Paul to a two-year contract worth $24M using the non-taxpayer mid-level exception
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Pelicans Ideal Starting Lineup:
Ball, White, Anunoby, Tatum, & Williams III
Backup Five:
Paul, Brogdon, Gallinari, Williams, & Horford
Rest Of Bench:
Davison, Sheppard, Champagnie, Hauser, & Muscala
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Analysis:
The Boston Celtics are in prime position to form a dynasty and have been since the drafting of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. However I don't think that will be accomplished while keeping them together. Giving $600M to two players would be a disaster for the Celtics in my opinion.
LaMelo and Tatum would be am amazing duo for Boston in the next few years. LaMelo taking some of the on ball time of Tatum gives him the ability to use his gravity off the ball. Anunoby is also a great third option for this team, with his combination of versatile defense and shooting. There is also still a great rim protector in Robert Williams III down low.
As for the Hornets, a Jaylen Brown Scoot Henderson duo could be better than keeping LaMelo Ball. OG Anunoby is also likely to leave the Raptors, so getting Marcus Smart to replace VanVleet and Trent is a perfect move. The defensive trio of Smart, Barnes, and Siakam would be impenetrable.
The Celtics are poised to make a team to compete with the Cavs, Bucks, and 76ers in the future, and this Offseason is the perfect time to do so.
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Thanks to Accidental Genius for the format!