Celtics Rumors: Latest Free Updates on Kawhi Leonard and More | Bleacher's report

Ron Schwane / Associated Press

The Boston Celtics are not expected to undergo a review of their lineup during the off-season, but they still need to strengthen their team to become the dominant franchise in the Eastern Conference.

Jaylen Brown's young core, Jayson Tatum and Terry Rozier challenged the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games in the finals of the Eastern Conference. With Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, the Celtics could be hard to stop.

Brad Stevens' team is not in the loop for LeBron James, but he's inquired of another superstar on the market who could put the Celtics in the siege the driver as the main challenger of the Golden State Warriors of the East.

Apart from the superstar market, the Celtics are trying to secure the services of actors that could continue to improve their depth.

Kawhi Leonard

Boston is part of a handful of teams that have made commercial offers to San Antonio Spurs for the discontented Leonard Kawhi. [19699004] According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Boston, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Los Angeles Clippers have made offers to Spurs in addition to ongoing conversations with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Eric Gay / Associated Press

The Celtics could be an underdog in Leonard sweepstakes since the Lakers seem to be in pole position to acquire it if the proposed package in San Antonio soothes it enough.

If Boston were to leapfrog the Lakers in discussions with the Spurs, she would likely offer one or two of her young stars in a package with some of the team's coveted badets.

Boston could own up to four first-round picks in the NBA draft in 2019, according to some protections, and at least one of these would be considered valuable for the Spurs.

Until the discussion around Leonard moves away from the Lakers, the Celtics do not seem to have much of a chance to win the defensive double player of the year, but they have the trumps available if the Spurs want to know more.

Marcus Smart

The Celtics might have a hard time keeping one of their most valuable pieces during the summer, Marcus Smart attracting him to the world. attention from elsewhere.

In addition to the Celtics, Dallas, Chicago, Phoenix and Indiana are Smart's signature contenders, according to Jordan Schultz of Yahoo:

Boston may present a qualifying offer of nearly $ 6.1 million to Smart, by Jackie MacMullan of ESPN. offer made from another team.

However, the price of Smart could be too high for the Celtics, since 24 year olds are gaining interest from franchises with more money to spend.

Smart could end up on another list for next season, or he could sign the Celtics' qualifying bid and try to earn more money as an unrestricted free-standing player. next summer.

The decision on Smart could boil down to something as simple as playing time, like Irving and Hayward spinning and taking away a few minutes to the precious defender.

If he can not get the minutes he wants in tight rotation, Smart might be wise to spend this summer when his stock is high, but the franchises mentioned in Schultz's report n & # 39; They do not have a chance to win a championship like the Celtics.

Aron Baynes

Although Smart's decision may be difficult, Aron Baynes seems to have no problem in returning to Boston.

Baynes is expected to return to the Celtics for the 2018-2019 campaign, by A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston.

The 31-year-old New Zealander became an integral part of the Celtics' lineup throughout last season as injuries began to accumulate.

Ron Schwane / Associated Press

Baynes, who is free from all control. agent, accumulated 18.3 minutes of play per game in his first season with the Celtics, averaging six points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

The center fills a low need for the Celtics, who are going to need rim protectors to face Joel Embiid in Philadelphia and Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee in the coming years.

Baynes is by no means the most important player in Boston 's lineup, but few contracted stars with the Celtics have the skills of a real big man, which makes him a valuable member of the team.

Follow Joe on Twitter, @ JTansey90 .

Statistics from Basketball Reference.