The expression “close, but no cigar” applies to the Boston Celtics in an ironic way this NBA season.

After all, legendary Celtics coach Red Auerbach had a tradition of lighting a cigar when the Cs won a championship during his tenure with the team. For those who don’t know history, that amounts to a lot of smoking.

There were no victory cigars for the Celtics in 2021-22. They made an inspired run to the NBA Finals but ultimately came up short against the Golden State Warriors. This summer, they’ll go back to the drawing board.

NBA

3 Realistic NBA Free Agency Targets For Boston Celtics

Many expect them to pursue a point guard. Unforced turnovers amounted to a death sentence for the Celtics in these Finals. Having a floor general who can take care of the ball may have carried them past the Warriors.

Granted, Damian Lillard would be an ambitious target. Still, if the Celtics could land him, it could revolutionize their odds of going all the way next season.

Here are three deals that land Lillard on the Boston Celtics

Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G/F Jaylen Brown, F/C Daniel Theis

Boston Celtics Receive: G Damian Lillard

This feels like the most obvious deal these two sides could make that finds Damian Lillard on the Boston Celtics.