Making the Case: Boston Celtics

Adding a star like Damian Lillard is the equivalent of diversifying the offense for the Boston Celtics.

Jaylen Brown is an incredible scorer, but his skill-set is remarkably similar to his co-star Jayson Tatum. Neither is particularly deadly from outside, but both are midrange killers who can attack the basket. Adding Damian Lillard would give Boston a three-point sharpshooter who is lethal from any range.

The spacing boost Boston would get from employing Lillard would be massive for Tatum. Driving lanes would be practically wide open for Tatum if he were flanked by Lillard (career 37.3% from 3), Pritchard (41.2%), Horford (36%), and Williams (36.9%).

The offensive boost is inarguable – the concern with adding Lillard is the defense. Damian Lillard is an undersized and relatively poor defender. Lillard has only two seasons with a positive Defensive Box-Plus/Minus per Basketball-Reference. His worst such season, with a -2.7 DBPM, came this past year.

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The defensive concerns are undeniable – but Boston is the perfect place for him despite them. The Boston Celtics have a fleet of huge, switchy, physical defenders on the floor at all times.

Lillard would certainly be a weak point, but Boston has a more than capable roster to cover him.

Lilliard’s issues defensively in the last few seasons have largely been effort-based, as well. Though he’s not a positive defender, he would certainly work harder for a team like Boston that is a legitimate title contender. Besides, the offense he brings will more than makeup for any defensive lapses.