Celtics Mailbag: Will midseason trade addition return to Boston next season?

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Celtics Mailbag: Will midseason trade addition return to Boston next season?

Brian Robb · MassLive

Fri, Apr 24, 2026 ·

4 min read

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The Celtics suddenly find themselves in a competitive first-round series after a Game 2 upset to the 76ers . What type of adjustments could we see in Game 3, and what lies ahead for the roster this offseason? Let’s answer those questions and more in this week’s mailbag.

What’s the likelihood of Vucevic resigning with the Celtics next season below the Mid Level Exception? Based on their roster, do the Celtics have a specific area of need in the draft or are they simply focused on the best player available? — Matt Y

I would be surprised if he has a market that high to be honest. He’s 36 years old and has defensive limitations that should become tougher to hide as he reaches his later 30s. The Celtics have Bird Rights on him so they will be able to re-sign him for whatever they think his market value is. However, it would be surprising to see him go for mid-level money anywhere. Something closer to what Al Horford got from the Warriors last year might be the best case scenario for him on the open market.

As far as draft needs go, I’d put another young ball handler for depth and a young center as the team’s top two needs right now on the depth chart.

In game 2 Baylor Scheierman was 2-2 in the field and made his only three point attempt. Would you play him more and should he be getting more shots? — Paul D

That was one of the fair second guesses for the Celtics after an ugly Game 2 loss. Scheierman was one of the few players on the roster that was hitting shots in that game and has done so consistently for the last few months now.

The guess here is his struggles guarding quick Sixers guards make him a bit of a liability on that end in this series and why Jordan Walsh has gotten a bit more run than him so far. However, he adds another layer to the Celtics offense when he’s out there and has been confident when given opportunities all year now. It’s going to be a game-to-game choice for the rotation right now with the options Mazzulla has, but I’m definitely riding with him more if he stays hot offensively over the likes of Sam Hauser and Walsh potentially.

Do the Celtics think they can win a championship shooting 50 3s a game?

Also, when Tatum initiates the offense (not in end of quarter scenarios), why does he hold the ball and wait until there’s 8 seconds or less on the shot clock with zero ball movement? — Alex L

The 50 3-point shots in Game 1 definitely brought back memories of the Knicks series. That type of volume isn’t necessary to beat this Sixers team and I don’t think this team believes it’s their best path to the Finals either since that’s not how they played all year.

It’s fair to wonder with Tatum whether he got a bit fatigued in that fourth quarter offensively with the ball sticking. When Boston ’s offense goes bad, that’s usually a familiar trait. I would love to see Derrick White handling the ball more in Game 3, trying to get the ball to Tatum or Jaylen Brown on the move. It felt like the Celtics didn’t really test the Sixers defense in a lot of Game 2, particularly letting smaller guards like Maxey off the hook.

Hi B-Robb,

Besides Jayson Tatum, is Amari Williams the Celtics best option as a non-drop center? Can he play at the level? —Thanks! Michael

He’s certainly the most mobile true center the Celtics have. However, I don’t think we are going to see him get a chance in this series. He’s only played meaningful minutes for two games in the last two months so it’s difficult to see Joe Mazzulla rolling with him now given the stakes. Luka Garza will certainly be given more of a chance over him if a change is made. Otherwise, I’d expect going small with Tatum at center to be an option for this group to consider over trotting out the rookie.

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