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How Detroit Pistons’ offseason compares to the Eastern Conference elite

By Jon Young

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 23: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates with Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons after winning the game against the Houston Rockets on November 23, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 23: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates with Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons after winning the game against the Houston Rockets on November 23, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – JULY 17: Kemba Walker #8 and Enes Kanter #11 of the Boston Celtics pose for a photo during the introductory press conference on July 17, 2019 at the Auerbach Center in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JULY 17: Kemba Walker #8 and Enes Kanter #11 of the Boston Celtics pose for a photo during the introductory press conference on July 17, 2019 at the Auerbach Center in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Free Agency leaves plenty of questions for Celtics

Key Losses: Kyrie Irving, Al Horford, Marcus Morris, Terry Rozier, Aron Baynes

Key Additions: Kemba Walker, Enes Kanter

The Celtics are another team who, at least on paper, took a step back this offseason. They lost Kyrie Irving, Al Horford and Marcus Morris to free agency.

They quickly scooped up Kemba Walker to take Irving’s spot, which, statistically speaking, is somewhat of a wash. It’s unclear how Walker will fare on a talented roster where he isn’t expected to carry the team every night. He should be less of a distraction than Irving was last season, which would be a plus for Boston’s young core.

Trending. Grading the Detroit Pistons 2019 offseason moves. light

With that being said, it’s hard to imagine Boston getting better after losing three starters and two solid role players in Aron Baynes and Terry Rozier. Enes Kanter is a nice pickup, considering how well he played for Portland in the playoffs, but he’s still a defensive liability and doesn’t bring nearly as much to the table as Horford.

A lot of the Celtics success will fall on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. It’s still unclear if Gordon Hayward will ever recapture the game that made him a star in Utah. Boston should still be an elite team in the East and might even play better without Irving, which was the case in small sample sizes last season.

It wouldn’t be shocking to see Boston finish better than where they did last season, but from a roster standpoint, they definitely took a step back this offseason.

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