The Boston Celtics cannot return as is during the 2023-24 season given the way things ended during the Eastern Conference Finals in 2023.
Falling down 3-0 in the series to Miami, Boston made a spirited comeback to force a Game 7 — but with a loss so decisive and uncompetitive with the chance to go to the NBA Finals on the line, and at home no less, the Cs as is are not a squad one simply runs back and expects better results from.
To be clear, the Houdini is looking for Jaylen Brown to sign that $295 million super-max his 2022-23 All-NBA appearance makes him eligible to earn.