The Boston Celtics were able to retool their team this offseason. They lost Kyrie Irving and Al Horford in free agency, but they were able to add Kemba Walker and Enes Kanter as replacements.
But now, the question is, are the Celtics going to be contenders in the Eastern Conference?
With Kawhi Leonard's move to the Western Conference, the Celtics could have a chance to make some noise. But, Celtics legend Cedric Maxwell still thinks they are missing one piece and spoke about that in a recent appearance on NBC Sports Boston's Arbella Early Edition.
I think there's a hint of it, but you have to find that big man for me. That's going to be the difference in where they're at now. They have the wing package. They have Marcus Smart. They have a guard that can shoot the basketball. But who's going to rebound the basketball? And who's going to get dirty in the paint late in the series?
Maxwell would go on to discuss why the Celtics' loss of Horford could have a big impact on the team and why the Philadelphia 76ers' move to sign him was a smart one.
I don't think Philly necessarily needed Al, but they took him away from the Celtics and I think that was really their prime thing. And it hurts the Celtics more than it really helps the 76ers.
Boston Celtics
Given the fits that Horford had previously given Joel Embiid in regular and postseason action, this argument makes sense. And it would also explain why the team was willing to give the 33-year-old Horford a four-year, $109 million deal.
The Celtics will miss Horford's presence and while Kanter could provide some help as a scorer and rebounder, the team could still look for an upgrade at the big-man position. For now, they'll roll with Kanter, Daniel Theis, Robert Williams, and Vincent Poirier and see what they can get out of that group.
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