Nearly one month into the 2023-24 NBA season, the Boston Celtics own a 9-2 record and look like an elite team. Over the past few seasons, the Celtics have had lots of roster turnover, losing many of their players to other teams. Let’s look at how some of the bigger departures from the last couple of years are performing on their current teams.
Checking In on Former Celtics 1 Month Into the 2023-24 Season
Malcolm Brogdon
After one season in Boston, former Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in October. So far in his Trail Blazers career, Brogdon has played eight games and started three. On the year, Brogdon averages 17.3 points and 5.5 assists per game. Additionally, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year is shooting 40.5% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc. Brogdon suffered a hamstring injury in a 121-118 loss to the Sacramento Kings on November 8. The guard has yet to return to the floor but is currently day-to-day.
Malcolm Brogdon going crazy wild stupid dumb rn
13 points
5-5 FG
2 assists
7 minutes— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) October 13, 2023
Danilo Gallinari
Danilo Gallinari signed a contract with the Celtics last offseason. However, an ACL injury over the summer prevented him from suiting up for the team. The Celtics traded Gallinari to the Washington Wizards as a part of the three-team deal that landed them Kristaps Porzingis.
The 35-year-old is averaging 8.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game on 52.6 FG% as a bench player.
Mike Muscala
Like Gallinari, the Celtics traded Mike Muscala to the Wizards in the Porzingis trade. The Minnesota native’s time with Boston was short, appearing in just 20 games after the team traded for him in February.
With Washington, Muscala is averaging 3.0 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.
Aaron Nesmith
After two seasons in Boston, the Celtics traded Aaron Nesmith, among many other players, to the Indiana Pacers for Brogdon in the 2022 NBA offseason. Right away, Nesmith saw an increased role, more than doubling his minutes per game. In October, the Pacers signed Nesmith to a three-year contract extension.
The former Celtics wing has become one of the Pacers’ best bench players this season. Though he has returned to a second unit role, Nesmith is still making an impact. The Vanderbilt alum is averaging 11.2 points off the bench while shooting 51.2% from the field and 46% from deep.
Marcus Smart
The Celtics traded Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies this past offseason. This ended his nine-season tenure with Boston. Joining a Grizzlies team that is missing Ja Morant for 25 games, a lot was expected out of Smart.
This season, Smart is averaging 12.5 points and 2.0 steals per game. However, the 2-9 Grizzlies are among the worst teams in the NBA. Smart left in the first quarter of a 134-107 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on November 14 due to an ankle injury. As it stands, the severity of Smart’s injury is unknown.
Daniel Theis
After an insignificant two-season tenure with the Pacers, the team bought out Daniel Theis on November 15. Though there were rumors Theis could end up back in Boston, the former Celtics big is expected to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Grant Williams
The Celtics sent Grant Williams to the Dallas Mavericks this offseason through a sign-and-trade. So far, Williams is shining with his new team. Williams has started every game for Dallas so far and is scoring a career-high 11.2 points per game. Plus, the Texas native’s 49.2 3PT% is by far a career-best for the two-way forward.
Robert Williams
Alongside Brogdon, the Celtics shipped Robert Williams out to the Trail Blazers just before the season started. Unfortunately for Williams, he suffered a right knee injury that will sideline him for the remainder of the season. Before he went down, Williams was averaging 6.8 points and 6.3 rebounds coming off the bench.
