2014-2015 NBA Season Preview: Boston Celtics

The 2013-2014 NBA season was another lost year for the Boston Celtics, which is in rebuilding mode since trading away and losing members of the Boston's "Big 3" -- Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. The C's landed fourth in the Atlantic Divsion, 25-57 overall and fourth worst in the Eastern Conference.

Former star coach and leader at Butler University, Brad Stevens, took his first leadership role in the NBA with the Celtics. Being a rookie coach, Stevens knows that he has a lot to learn in the pro league and to try to lead this young team to its "Big 3" days.

Roster: Joel Anthony, Brandon Bass, Avery Bradley, Vitor Faverani, Tim Frazier, Jeff Green, Rodney McGruder, Erik Murphy, Kelly Olynyk, Dwight Powell, Phil Pressey, Rajon Rondo, Marcus Smart, Jared Sullinger, Marcus Thornton, Evan Turner, Gerald Wallace, Christian Watford, James Young and Tyler Zeller.

Key Additions (previous teams): Evan Turner (Indiana), Tyler Zeller (Cleveland), Marcus Thornton (Brooklyn/Sacramento), Marcus Smart (rookie draft)

With Rondo's uncertain future with the Boston Celtics, the team made a wise move to draft Marcus Smart with the sixth pick this summer. Smart, who is a 6-foot-4 combo guard from Oklahoma State University, can play the back-up position to Rondo and even slide to the SG spot. The young prospect also serves as an insurace should the Celtics deal away Rondo in a future deal.

Key Losses (new teams): Kris Humphries (Washington), Jerryd Bayless (Milwaukee)

Projected Starters: Rajon Rondo (PG), Avery Bradley (SG), Jeff Green (SF), Brandon Bass (PF), Kelly Olynyk (C)

Season Outlook

Best Case Scenario

Boston Celtics' best case scenario this 2014-2015 NBA season is when the young guys continue their development -- or if they can trade away veterans for future assets. Rondo has proven to be a legit starting point guard for the team, but his future with the team is still up in the; however, Boston can choose to build around him nonetheless. Trading Rondo is an option and the possibility that they get a potential star or an established player back in exchange for the star PG can happen this year.

Worst Case Scenario

The worst case scenario for Boston is if they fail to get value in potential trades involving veterans Rondo, Wallace and Green. Only Rondo is worthy of another long-term contract, but Wallace and Green have value around the league, and they can flip one or both for more young prospects. Retaining both Wallace and Green won't help in the development of its young guys, such as Olynyk and Sullinger, who share the same position as veterans.

Although Brad Stevens is an interesting young coach, he still needs to show what he is made of. As such, this season is expected to be a long year for the Boston Celtics and rebuilding is going to be the team's plan. Depending on what they can get for their veterans, they can speed up that rebuilding process starting the new season.