Here’s the Celtics’ offseason schedule
The Celtics’ season is over, but director of basketball operations Danny Ainge, coach Brad Stevens, and several players are already looking ahead to next year, just as fans are eagerly awaiting the start of a new season in October because it holds such promise.
“Obviously those expectations are there, but when you play for the Boston Celtics, you’re always thinking winning a championship,’’ Al Horford said of next season. “That’s why I came here — to be in the position to play in those types of games like [Game 7 vs. Cleveland]. Kyrie [Irving] and Gordon [Hayward] know that, and it’s something we’re all looking forward to.’’
Marcus Smart, the spark plug for the Celtics, will be a restricted free agent, meaning the Celtics can match any offer Smart may receive. But Smart, who was drafted sixth overall in 2014, wants to remain in Boston, something Ainge has told him as well.
“Just talking with Danny and Brad and the coaching staff and things like that,’’ Smart said. “Danny emphasizes all the time how much he loves me as a player and emphasized how much they want me here. I want to be here, so that’s the plan right now.’’
As the Celtics turn their eyes to next season, here is a look at the upcoming key dates:
June 11: Deadline for NBA Draft early entrants to withdraw (5 p.m.)
June 17: The latest possible date of the Finals. Here’s the full Finals schedule.
June 21: NBA Draft. The Celtics have the 27th pick.
June 25: NBA Awards, where MVP and Rookie of the Year, among others, will be named. Jayson Tatum is a finalist for Rookie of the Year and Stevens is a finalist for Coach of the Year.
June 29: Last day for decisions on player, team, and early termination options.
June 30: Last day of the 2017-18 league year.
July 1: First day of the 2018-19 league year and start of the free agency moratorium. The Celtics’ impending unrestricted free agents: Aron Baynes, Shane Larkin, and Greg Monroe.
July 2-5: Utah Summer League and Sacramento Summer League. The Celtics will not participate in the Utah Summer League.
July 6: Free agent moratorium ends.
July 6-17: Las Vegas Summer League. The Celtics will participate in the Vegas Summer League.
July 13: Last day for teams to withdraw offers from restricted free agents.
July 15: Last day for teams to sign first-round picks.
Early August: Preseason schedule release. Last year’s preseason schedule was released on Aug. 7.
Mid-August: Regular season schedule release. Last year’s regular season schedule was released on Aug. 14.
Aug. 31: Final day for teams to waive players and use the stretch provision for their salaries for the season.
Sept. 5: Last day for teams to sign second-round picks. The Celtics, as of now, do not have a second-round pick this year.
Sept. 7: Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2018 enshrinement. Former Celtics Ray Allen, Charlie Scott, and Dino Radja are a part of this year’s class.
Late September: Start of training camps, dates TBA.
