Eastern Conference
Celtics
Good: The Celtics had another dominant regular season as the #2 seed led by a MVP caliber season by Jayson Tatum as he increased his rebounding and most importantly assist totals to match his scoring. G Derrick White might have had his best season staying healthy for most of the season while playing well in the postseason. G Payton Pritchard had his best season with more playing time as the 6th man of the year. F/C Al Horford proved that he still had gas in the tank playing well into the postseason. Jaylen Brown played well in the regular season before injury and played well into the postseason. Most of the team is under contract with Horford as the only major pending free agent, but retirement may be the option.
Bad: The major injury to Tatum leading to a possible roster reconstruction if the team wants to avoid big luxury tax penalties. C Luke Kornet is also a free agent with Horford, so if Horford decides to retire a veteran big man will be needed due to the uncertain health of Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis and/or Jrue Holiday could be on the move due to their contracts, unless the team makes a bold move to trade Brown or White who have more value. Holiday has taken a step back, but having Pritchard helps. The team could use an adjustment without Tatum and should look like a different team next year.
Cavaliers
Good: The Cavs earned the #1 seed in the regular season while bringing back the same core lineup while HC Kenny Atkinson won Coach of the Year and F/C Evan Mobley improved winning Defensive Player of the Year, after it opened with an injury to Wemby. Donovan Mitchell led the team in the regular season and stepped it up in the postseason. C Jarrett Allen stayed healthy starting for all 82 games nearly averaging a double-double. PG Darius Garland might have had his best season staying healthy most of the regular season with a good start to the postseason before injury. G/F Max Strus was a solid floor spacer (3-pt shooter) into the postseason. G Ty Jerome and G/F Sam Merrill proved to be solid depth pieces into the postseason when injuries hit. Most of the team including the starting lineup is under contract.
Bad: The team was considered a contender with the regular season dominance, but loss easily to the Pacers so it might be time to change things up, unless they blame injuries. The trade for F De’Andre Hunter didn’t improve the team especially with his postseason injury and he has two more big years on his contract. Jerome and Merrill are free agents, along with veterans C Tristan Thompson and F Javonte Green. The team needs to find a way to improve/take the next step.
