After Stevens s operation, the team remained competitive, and also won 3 second round picks!

The Hawks got Porzingis + a 2026 second round pick (from the Celtics with a lower pick), the Nets got Terence Mann + the 22nd first round pick in 2025 (from the Hawks), and the Celtics got George Nyan + a second round pick. After two deals, the Celtics sent Ju Holiday and Porzingis away, while also gaining three second-round picks and saving about $238 million in luxury taxes. They also introduced two powerful players (George Nion and Anthony Simmons) through the deal, and both of them had expired contracts.

George Nian, height: 201cm, wingspan: 208cm, position: small forward power forward, age: 32 years old

played 79 games last season, averaged 21.5 minutes per game, averaged 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 turnovers, shooting percentage: 46.1%, three-point shooting percentage: 40.6%, free throw shooting percentage: 79.3%

Anfenny Simmons, height: 191c m, wingspan: 206cm, position: point guard shotback, age: 26 years old

played 70 games last season, averaged 32.7 minutes per game, averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 steals, shooting percentage: 43.1%, three-point shooting percentage: 38.1%, free throw shooting percentage: 90.2%

The two players returned by General Manager Stevens are also very high-quality assets, which also prevents the Celtics' overall strength from falling a lot. Anfini Simmons can completely defeat Ju Holiday, and although George Nian is not as strong as Porzingis, a forward like George Nian with three-point shooting is still very practical, at least the attendance rate can be guaranteed.