The legendary franchise of the Boston Celtics has finally established itself as a legitimate playoff team after two seasons of rebuilding. The Celtics have always had a history of greatness and because of this, high expectations are set for every season. However, in the most recent playoff run, Boston was eliminated in the first round to the Atlanta Hawks. Even though Boston has been losing in the first round for the past couple of years, the bright future eases the sting for Celtics fans.

The Head Coach

Boston has a unique system in place simply because it has the groundwork already set up and an identity already built. With the roster having an average age of 24, it is not only surprising that the Celtics have built an identity of defense, grit, and toughness, but also a display of head coach Brad Stevens' brilliance. For only having four years of experience under his belt, Stevens has already deemed himself as a top five coach in the league and one of the best at late game situations. However, the most important coaching attribute he possesses is his ability to maintain a culture throughout the whole roster. The Celtics are known for its ability to hustle on every play and playing with teamwork. If that is not impressive enough, Stevens took a team with an average roster at best to the playoffs and has surpassed expectations. The young head coach will continue to turn heads with his marvelous play calling and will surely attract free agents in the future.

Free Agency

The free agency is now the most common way to turn an average team into a contender. With the 2016 free agency having players such as Kevin Durant, Al Horford, and Andre Drummond, Boston would be foolish by not trying to sign any of them. The Celtics most obvious problems are the inability to play solid defense in the paint and the lack of scoring. Signing Kevin Durant automatically makes Boston a top three team in the Eastern conference and arguably a top five team in the NBA. With the Celtics having enough money to offer two max contracts over the summer, Boston is capable of signing Kevin Durant and a defensive center which would solve the biggest issues. The Celtics have many different ways to go about this and free agency might not be the only option. However, if they are to stick solely with signing players, then Al Horford would be their best bet. Ideally, Celtics would want Andre Drummond, but that seems unrealistic for most teams in the NBA simply because he is happy in Detroit. However, Al Horford brings long range shooting, solid and consistent defense, and experience which is valuable to such a young team. Just throughout this year's playoffs, there were times were Al Horford destroyed the Celtics with his solid 3-point shooting. Having a core of Crowder, Smart, Thomas, Durant, Horford and Bradley is scary for the league to say the least. It would be hard for any team to stop Kevin Durant by himself, but then, having Isaiah Thomas’s incredible ability to drive and finish as well as having Horford’s consistent shot will spread the floor well for cutters such as Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder. A deep playoff run could finally be made and perhaps even more with luck on our side.

Trading

This could be the Celtics hardest option because it has to get rid of a few of its players as well as draft picks. Not only this, but there are not many players that are worth trading for. It is unlikely for the Celtics to repeat another 2007 summer and acquire two superstars. There are players like Jimmy Butler who are incredible defensively -- which will fit well with the Celtics culture -- but are also gifted offensively. Butler is no Kevin Durant by any means, but winning the most improved player award and averaging 20 points per game is still impressive. He also just entered his prime which almost guarantees success especially under coach Stevens' system. This is probably the Celtics best bet on who to acquire during summer via trades, but probably not the best. If the Celtics decide to mix and match, then signing Kevin Durant and then trading for a superstar like Demarcus Cousins is for sure the best way to go. Cousins is the best center in the league and can dominate teams single handedly. However, there is always a risk factor with him because of his terrible temper and recent feuds that he has had with coaches. If he goes to the Celtics and clashes with Stevens then, it will not only cause tension, but it will cause problems on the court as well. If everything goes well then, there will most likely be a championship waiting to happen. This is the biggest risk for the Celtics because they will have to get rid of solid players and probably future stars such as Marcus Smart for a wild card who may or may not destroy the chemistry among the players. Personally, I believe that the Celtics should be willing to take the risk just because of the upside. Nothing is ever guaranteed in the NBA, but this is as close as they come if everything works out well.

Draft Picks

This is what I personally think Danny Ainge will go with, mainly because it has a very low downside compared to the others. He can acquire potential superstar ability cheap and he does not have to get rid of any players as well. The only downside is that if the player he drafts does not work out, he is stuck with an average roster again and will most likely have a repeat season of the year before. In this year’s draft, there will be players such as Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram and Buddy Hield which all have proven to be great college players. Celtics are projected to select third in the draft and choose Buddy Hield. Hopefully, this does not happen because we already have a surplus of guards and need forwards and centers if possible. If the Celtics are able to select Ben Simmons, which is now possible because LSU did not make the March Madness tournament, then that could be the safest way to go. Simmons has been compared to players such as Lebron James and if he turns out to be a half of what Lebron was, then Simmons will turn out to be a solid role player at the very worst. There is always a possibility of drafting a bust, but Simmons is too talented and knows the game of basketball far too well to have this happen to him. The skill is surely there. However, one must question if his determination and tenacity will be there. He has shown to be almost disengaged with what was happening on the court and has given body language of not trying his best. This is one of his most common critics as a player. However, one would hope that changes once he enters the NBA. Choosing in the draft is probably how Danny Ainge will want to build for the future and with the low upside it has, you cannot blame him for that choice.

The Celtics have many decisions to make during the offseason. However, with the draft picks, cap space, and having someone like “Trader Danny,” then “anything is possible,” as Kevin Garnett once said.