The Boston Celtics are finally raising their 18th flag after a season of unparalleled dominance. Their 16-3 postseason record was the Tenth highest winning percentage in NBA Playoff history. And let’s not forget having the best regular season record. Regardless of your perspective on the path to getting there, they performed at a high level to secure their first title since 2008.
And they’re not about to fade into the background; the East runs through Boston.
The Celtics starting lineup is a rare gem from a fantasy perspective. Unlike many teams, all of their starters have the potential to finish in the top 80 in fantasy. Jayson Tatum, a perennial first-rounder, is a reliable pick due to his availability and top-tier production. The three-point shooting and defense of Kristaps Porziņģis and Derrick White elevate them to the third and fourth rounds. It may seem crazy to give White that kind of consideration, but he deserves it, and the heavy bag coming his way.
Finals MVP Jaylen Brown is interesting because even though he’s typically a fourth-round guy, his free throw shooting and turnovers diminish his value a bit. He also took fewer shots this year with more talent around him. Still, we will see a better version of him after putting up the best postseason numbers of his career. Making an all-defensive team is next on his target list, and I’ll probably pick him earlier than usual because of that.
Jrue Holiday has sacrificed the most in terms of production this season, and I expect his draft capital to drop. He’s still an effective fantasy player who offers a mix of assists, actions, and threes with strong shot splits that you can get for an attractive price. Al Horford is a reliable insurance policy for Porziņģis, so he will again have some value in the later draft rounds.
Boston has the perfect blend of youth, experience, and star power, and they are at the top of the totem pole because of it.
The Dallas Mavericks underwent a surprising transformation after the All-Star break, emerging as a success story. His smart trades for Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington at the deadline marked a shift in his identity, with a new commitment to defense. Although they were unable to overcome the Celtics, it is clear that they have the potential to return to this stage. Led by the dynamic defensive duo of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, a few tweaks to the squad could take them back into title contention.
With Dončić and Irving dominating the ball, this limits the potential fantasy production of the supporting cast. While Gafford defied expectations by finishing in the top 40 in category formats, Dereck Lively proved to be the more versatile option in the frontcourt as Dallas made its way deeper into the playoffs. Being Luka’s preferred lob pick-and-roll threat certainly has its advantages, but Gafford will likely be overdrafted because of his career year.
I’m most excited about what Dereck Lively offers, and as a rookie, there are a lot of upsides due to his skill set and tutelage from Tyson Chandler. Washington’s stock remains relatively unchanged as a 10th-rounder who will be a good source of threes and shares.
As far as what could change, I would like to see the Mavs enter the Klay Thompson sweepstakes because they could use another three-point shooter in what has become a stagnant NBA Finals offense. A cheaper version could be Buddy Hield. Or make a sign-and-trade for a top-tier 3-and-D wing like Pascal Siakam or Paul George. If you miss them, play OG Anunoby or Miles Bridges.
Dallas has options and some bench depth to trade to get this team back to the Finals.
