BOS 3rd behind GSW and CLE. Sixers 14th because of Simmons and Embiid and future picks.
BKN 29th, SAC 30th.
3. Boston Celtics
Rank Score
Players 5 65
Management 3 90
Money 8 67.5
Market 14 50
Draft 2 95
Overall: 70.6
The Celtics hold steady at No. 3. That's high praise considering the two teams above them have met in the Finals the past two years.
Staying at No. 3 doesn't mean a lack of improvement. The team landed a major free agent in Al Horford, upping its roster ranking significantly from No. 15 to No. 5.
The Celtics continue to have a bounty of picks that places them only behind the 76ers in the draft category. We also continue to be bullish on their management, ranking the Celtics third thanks to one of the best coaches, Brad Stevens, and executives, Danny Ainge.
With so much flexibility to make trades and continue to add to their roster via free agency and the draft, we believe if anyone in the East is going to dislodge the Cavs, it's Boston.
-- Chad Ford