2009-10 NBA Season Preview: Boston Celtics

Depth Chart:

C: Kendrick Perkins/Rasheed Wallace

PF: Kevin Garnett/Glen Davis/Brian Scalabrine/Shelden Williams

SF: Paul Pierce/Marquis Daniels/Bill Walker

SG: Ray Allen/Tony Allen/J.R. Giddens

PG: Rajon Rando/Eddie House/Lester Hudson

Head Coach: Doc Rivers (6th year)

2009-2010 Team Salary: $84.7 million

Projected 2010-2011 Team Salary: approximately $63.3 million

Off-Season Grade: Aced

Like the other title contenders in the NBA, Boston did a great job of adding depth to their roster this offseason. Rasheed Wallce comes over from Detroit for the mid-level exception and will provide some offensive firepower and even more experience off the Celtics bench. Getting Marquis Daniels for less than $2 million this season is a bargain as he will provide some athleticism on the wing, and spell Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to give them more rest.

Glen Davis came up huge for the Celtics in the postseason when Kevin Garnett was injured, so having him stay in Boston to return to his bench role rather than losing him in free agency was a win especially with his affordable 2-year, $6.3 million deal. Shelden Williams adds even more depth inside in case there is a re-occurring injury to Garnett or if Davis decides to get into a fight with one of his friends and breaks his hand… D. U. M. B.

Making amends with Rajon Rando after reportedly getting on his bad side by shopping him this offseason was a must, and the Celtics did that by signing their franchise point guard to a 5-year, $55 million extension.

2009-2010 Outlook:

The Celtics have it all; a talented point guard, shooters, scorers, size and depth. Now if they could only find a good coach. Just kidding, but not really.

It will all come down to the health of Boston. Garnett’s injury was crippling to any chance the Celtics had of repeating as NBA champs last season. Even though they are a much deeper team this season, they cannot afford to lose one of their Big Three for their playoff run. Do not expect the “Boston Three Party” to play a ton of minutes during the season as to keep them fresh for a run at another ring. If their roster is at 100 percent for the playoffs, I don’t see any reason as to why the Celtics won’t get back to the finals.

Looking Ahead to the Summer of 2010:

Next offseason will be filled with a couple of major decisions for the Celtics management. Pierce has a player option worth about $21.5 million in the final year of his contract. I would be surprised if he tried to test free agency since he likely would not see that dollar amount for a season. But Boston will need to try to sign Pierce to an extension if they want to keep him happy and in Beantown.

Ray Allen becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season and is getting up their in age. So will the Celtics want to pony up a pricey, long-term deal for his 3-point services? Expect Allen to take a major pay cut from the almost $20 million he is making this season.

2009-10 NBA Power Ranking: 2nd