The Boston Celtics’ onslaught of injuries hasn’t impacted the team’s standing in ESPN’s NBA Future Power Rankings.
ESPN on Wednesday released its latest edition of the rankings, which represent ESPN Insider’s projection of the on-court success expected for each team in the 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. The Celtics, who ranked No. 2 behind the Golden State Warriors before the season, remain locked into the second spot behind The Dubs with 11 games left on their 2017-18 schedule.
ESPN Insider analysts Kevin Pelton and Bobby Marks are responsible for the rankings. They rated each team in five categories and ranked them relative to the rest of the NBA.
Here’s how the No. 2 Celtics stack up:
Players
Rank: 3
Score: 87.5
Management
Rank: 2
Score: 92.5
Money
Rank: T-16
Score: 32.5
Market
Rank: 8
Score: 60.0
Draft
Rank: T-3
Score: 87.5
Overall score: 81.5
Here’s Pelton’s explanation:
The Celtics’ future remains as bright as that of any team this side of the Bay Area thanks to their ability to stay near the top of the Eastern Conference standings without injured All-Star Gordon Hayward. When Hayward returns next season, he will join young wings Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, who have stepped forward in his absence, plus All-Stars Al Horford and Kyrie Irving.
Remarkably, even after cashing in their remaining pick from the Brooklyn Nets to land Irving, the Celtics still rank third in the draft category. They’ll either get the Lakers’ pick (if it jumps to No. 2 or 3) or have Sacramento’s 2019 first-round pick (as long as it’s not the No. 1 overall selection). The Celtics also have a lottery-protected pick coming from the Memphis Grizzlies that could prove nearly as valuable. Deals like that, and Brad Stevens’ coaching, have Boston second in management.
The Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors round out ESPN’s top five. The Sixers jumped up from the No. 6 spot, while the Raptors skyrocketed from No. 13.
