As the trade window opens, Boston’s strong start has clarified how the Celtics could approach the center market moving forward.

The Pistons are 5-1 in their last six games, including wins over the Hawks and Heat, and they’re 8-3 on their travels this year. One of those losses came in a nail-biter at TD Garden in November, where Cade Cunningham & Co. almost overcame Boston's 47% night from 3-point range.

“They’re a championship team; they’ve got a championship identity,” Cunningham said. “Play a great brand of basketball, so it’s always a test for us coming in. It’s a game we love coming in for because we know that they’re going to test us and play good basketball.”

As good as Cunningham was for the Pistons, White was just as important for the Celtics. Guard Jaylen Brown may have led the team with 34 points (13-of-25 FG), eight rebounds and seven assists, but White kept the Celtics in contention late with 23 of his season-high 31 points coming in the second half.

But fast forward to the present, and it is clear that the Celtics are a good team with postseason potential despite those high-profile exits, and Mazzulla is a major part of the reason why given how well he is getting those younger replacements to play this season.

Jaylen Brown and Isaiah Stewart got into a scuffle under the rim which led to both players getting technicals after Brown made a fist at him.

After all, the Celtics are in the early stages of a retooling process. Joe Mazzulla is coaching a roster full of unproven talent, fighting to prove they belong in the league. Interestingly, all three of Boston's young forwards,

The Celtics have to find more offensive sources, especially when the 3-pointer is not falling. Another reliable big man and another bench scorer could help.