The Boston Celtics are poised to make a strong push for their 18th NBA championship banner in the 2023-24 season, hoping to break the tie with the Los Angeles Lakers. Under the leadership of Brad Stevens, the team has surrounded stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown with an impressive supporting cast.

This roster now boasts one of the most talented seven-man lineups, including sharpshooters and rebounders to complement their stars. The additions of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday have bolstered their depth, serving as safety nets when their star players are not at their best. However, the absence of reliable playmakers like Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon has been felt during the NBA preseason.

Brad Stevens had brought in Malcolm Brogdon to address the Celtics’ struggles in the 2022 NBA Finals. It was an ideal fit, allowing Brogdon to focus on playmaking while Tatum and Brown could excel off the ball. Brogdon’s departure has caused some growing pains for the team, and the loss of Marcus Smart has compounded their playmaking challenges. They are now faced with an adjustment period as they await the emergence of Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, and Derrick White to take on increased playmaking responsibilities.

The primary concerns for the Celtics center around ball security and playmaking. Their offense often stalls as they seek the best shot, leading to difficulty in getting a shot off before the shot clock expires. While they may not suffer many 24-second shot clock violations, their offensive efficiency takes a hit, and turnovers become a recurring issue. During the NBA preseason, the Celtics experienced this problem, exemplified by turnovers that exceeded their assists.

In their matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Celtics managed 24 assists, a respectable number for a ball-moving team. However, they were plagued by 17 turnovers, surpassing the 13 turnovers committed by the Sixers. Their offense would frequently stagnate, with the ball lingering on the perimeter or at the top of the key as they searched for optimal passing lanes. This predictability led to broken plays and costly steals by the opposing team.

The same issue persisted in their loss to the New York Knicks, with the Celtics recording 17 turnovers compared to the Knicks’ 13. Although the ball was stolen only seven times from the Payton Pritchard-led squad, the offense encountered numerous broken plays. This forced them into isolation plays to salvage possessions.

To address these concerns, the Celtics need to improve their ball handling and facilitate their offense more effectively. While there is still time to work on these issues before the regular season begins, it is crucial for Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard to address these problems. Additionally, having a secondary ball handler alongside Tatum and Brown is essential.

This was a significant problem during the Eastern Conference Finals when rushed shots from long range were often the result of failed plays. Acquiring Porzingis can play a vital role in such situations, as he can receive the ball in the post and create opportunities for off-ball rotations, adding a new dimension to their offensive strategies. While it’s still early in the season, there are various ways for the Celtics to address and resolve these issues.