NBA Notes: Celtics, depth, Nets, Mikel Brown Jr, Sixers, roster

Celtics

The Celtics no longer look much like the team that won the 2024 championship. That doesn’t necessarily mean they lack depth.

Jay King of The Athletic wrote that Boston may be deeper than it has been given credit for, even with only a few remaining pieces from that title team.

The frontcourt remains the obvious question, especially with Mitchell Robinson’s injury history. But Luka Garza showed last season that he can handle spot minutes, and Neemias Queta emerged as one of Boston’s better surprises.

The Celtics also have plenty of bodies on the wing. In fact, King noted that Jordan Walsh and Ron Harper Jr. could begin the season outside the regular rotation, which says something about the number of usable options on the roster.

Boston added veteran guard Mike Conley, but King wrote that the Celtics could still use a more reliable third ball-handler.

Still, the regular-season rotation appears to be in decent shape. Maybe not championship-shape, at least not yet. But probably better than some around the league are assuming.

Nets

Mikel Brown Jr. is not talking like a rookie obsessed with numbers.

The Nets selected Brown with the No. 6 overall pick, hoping they landed their point guard of the future. And as Jed Katz wrote for MSN, Brown seems focused on the things Brooklyn actually needs.

“It’s about plus-minus with me,” Brown said on Cousins with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. “Like if I’m on the court, are we in a plus? Are we, you know, winning the margins?”

That is exactly the type of mindset the Nets will want from a young point guard as they try to build a more stable culture.

Brown said he wants fans to know he is “all about winning,” whether that means scoring, playmaking, leading or doing all of the above.

He also has some notable mentors. Brown mentioned his Louisville connection with Donovan Mitchell and said Rajon Rondo has been helping him with the finer points of seeing the floor and understanding the game.

For a Nets team that added Julius Randle and Michael Porter Jr. while still trying to build around youth, Brown’s development will be one of the biggest things to watch.

Sixers

The 76ers may be done for the summer. At least for now.

Philadelphia still has one open roster spot after adding Jaylen Brown in a trade and LeBron James in free agency, but Adam Aaronson of The Philly Voice wrote that the Sixers are likely to keep that 15th spot open entering the season.

The reason is simple enough. Philadelphia is only about $1.8 million below the first-apron hard cap, which is not enough room to sign even a veteran-minimum player at $2.45 million.

Aaronson also noted that a late offseason trade does not appear likely. Only nine Sixers are currently trade-eligible, and that group includes four starters and first-round pick Labaron Philon Jr.

So if Philadelphia looks to address backup center, it may have to wait until closer to the trade deadline.

Aaronson wrote that the Sixers could eventually have decisions to make involving Philon, Anfernee Simons or Ariel Hukporti, depending on how the season unfolds. Hukporti’s $3.4 million salary could be useful in a trade, especially compared to the smaller deals attached to Jabari Walker, Adem Bona and Justin Edwards.