Fans of the Boston Celtics are preparing for a new season after another quest for Banner 18 was cut short in the Eastern Conference Finals at the hands of the Miami Heat on May 29 in a decisive game 7.  

After the embarrassing loss, Celtics general manager Wyc Grousbeck made a promise to the city that the team would completely reshape the roster. 

This promise led to an eventful offseason capped off with the trade of longtime Celtics point guard Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies. In return, the Celtics received star center Kristaps Porzingis in a blockbuster trade from the Washington Wizards.

FINAL TRADE DETAILS:

Celtics receive: Kristaps Porziņģis, 2023 & 2024 first-round pick

Grizzlies receive: Marcus Smart

Wizards receive: Tyus Jones, 2023 second-round pick pic.twitter.com/d4nW7tjlhH

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 22, 2023

Porziņģis will improve the team by adding much-needed size to the group by being 7 foot, 3 inches and adding defense and his  38.5 percent 3-point shooting percentage last year. 

Moreover, on October 1, the Celtics traded for 2021 NBA Champion Jrue Holiday from the Portland Trail Blazers. This was a very emotional trade because fan-favorite center Robert Williams III was part of the trade to the Trail Blazers.

BREAKING: The Portland Trail Blazers are trading guard Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/rOx1Hpwcpk

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 1, 2023

Holiday will provide both his veteran leadership and defensive skills. The local Boston Herald described Holiday as “a perfect fit” for the team.    

Holiday seems to be excited to join the Celtics with a history of winning culture.  

“Glad to be part of a championship-caliber group,” Holiday said to the media as he arrived in Boston.

The Celtics’ new and improved roster will give them a better chance of winning another championship and raising another banner to the rafters of the TD Garden.  

Furthermore, on July 25, breakout shooting guard Jaylen Brown signed a 5-year $304 million supermax contract extension, which made him the highest-paid player in NBA history. This will motivate the whole team. 

Las Vegas likes the odds for the Celtics. Up to September 28, the Celtics had the highest odds of winning the 2024 NBA title according to Fanduel Sportsbooks. 

However, after the Milwaukee Bucks pulled off a blockbuster trade for star point guard Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers, the Bucks usurped the top spot.

After the trade for veteran point guard Jrue Holiday, the Celtics and Bucks now have the highest odds to win the title.  

With this new team and new season approaching, I have faith in second-year head coach Joe Mazzula, after he came close to a title in his first year. Even though he commits occasional coaching blunders, I expect the Celtics to be in contention for the NBA Title this year.