The Miami Heat’s victories over the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks gave hope to the Boston Celtics. It seemed like they had a clear path to make it back to the NBA Finals and complete what they had begun the previous year. However, just like the Knicks and the Bucks, the Celtics found themselves unable to find a solution to Jimmy Butler and the relentless Heat team.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown faced their fair share of challenges throughout the postseason. Additionally, the supporting cast that initially seemed strong for the Celtics in this era revealed their vulnerabilities and struggled during crucial moments. While there is a possibility for Boston to stick with the same core and aim for improved outcomes, they might also need to seriously contemplate making significant roster adjustments during the upcoming summer.
Celtics who won’t be back next season: 3. Mike Muscala
The Boston Celtics acquired Muscala in a trade deadline deal involving Justin Jackson and two second-round picks. With his impressive combination of size and shooting ability, he appeared to be a valuable addition to the team’s deep bench. Throughout the remainder of the regular season, he showcased his skills, shooting an impressive 38.5 percent from beyond the arc in 20 games.
However, Muscala didn’t have a significant role during the playoffs since the interior defense provided by Robert Williams and Al Horford proved to be more essential. Being 31 years old and an unrestricted free agent, Muscala will probably seek a team where he can maximize his playing time, even if it means being a floor-spacing big towards the end of the rotation. While Boston may consider bringing him back, they have other more pressing matters to address, and Muscala will likely find more playing time with another team.