Kristaps Porzingis is sitting out the FIBA World Cup due to plantar fasciitis. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal explains why that it's a great decision to sit him and why the risks of injury didn't just stem from the foot pain. Plus, we take a second to laugh at the mess in Philadelphia with James Harden before getting into the in-season tournament and the schedule release on Tuesday.

Celtics principal owner Wyc Grousbeck talked to the Globe about a number of things, including why the Celtics braintrust collectively decided a retool was needed and why Joe Mazzulla is back as head coach. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss those headlines and Grousbeck's declaration that the team is not for sale.

We wrap up mailbag week with some what ifs (like Malcolm Brogdon finishing games and the Kristaps Porzingis trade happening last season). Also, John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal gets into whether Boston can develop a high-level two man game, what goes into making that happen, and some of the best to ever do it. Then we have some fun with Rhode Island's best NBA'ers, how John would fare in a celebrity game, and visiting Vermont.

Mailbag week continued with questions about whether this is the beginning of a new era for the Celtics, Dalano Banton, whether Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum have more room for improvement, Malcolm Brogdon's health, and getting involved in the Damian Lillard trade. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal answers all that, gets into whether there should be an offensive player of the year award, and the score of the first ever Celtics game.

We open up the mailbag to answer questions about what a Jaylen Brown trade might fetch, the starting five and a surprise starter, who might earn a revenge game against Boston, Derrick White's hair, and assigning Simpsons characters to the Celtics.

Injuries are always the biggest what if in a season that doesn't accomplish its goals. The Celtics had a few that changed the course of their season, and one in particular could have been what ultimately won a championship. But as John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal goes through the possibilities, the biggest game changer might not be the one you're thinking of.

The Celtics cut Justin Champagnie to avoid paying him a partial guarantee. That leaves them with 13 roster spots when they will ultimately need 14 filled to start the season. So which available free agent might they pursue to fill that gap? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm sift through the remaining free agents to discuss some possibilities and then get into Danilo Gallinari's declration that he's circling Celtics games on the calendar for next season.

Mailbag Monday is back and today's questions include a few about Jaylen Brown's contract (including what if he didn't make All-NBA and whether another team would refused to give him the supermax), the risk Brad Stevens is taking with Porzingis, whether Kristaps will help Boston play faster, and how the Celtics could honor their legends.

Joe Mazzulla is heading into a new season with a full summer to plan and with a full staff that he hired. This week, Mazzulla addressed both of these to explain how he feels with time to prepare and what the staff means to him. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss that, as well as Mike Gorman announcing he's going into his final season as the Celtics play-by-play man.

Jaylen Brown officially signed his contract extension with the Celtics on Wednesday, and then he talked to the media about where his newfoud wealth will go, dealing with the pressure of the contract, how the negotiation went, and Boston's championship odd. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal talks about all that, and has some fun with Jaylen about missing teammates' calls on FaceTime.

Jaylen Brown is becoming the richest player in NBA history with his new $304 million extension. But Brown is really just the first of a parade of players who will be making history with their contracts. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss Brown's new deal, the pressure he'll face to live up to it both from himself and from the outside, and how this impacts his future in Boston.

Jayson Tatum is already an amazing player and 1st Team All-NBA, but what does he need to do to go from a fourth or fifth place MVP finish to winning it or being a runner up? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal looks at what makes a true superstar and discusses what Tatum needs to do to make that next step up and become a true takeover guy and potential MVP.

It's Mailbag Monday again and we're diving into questions about players with the potential to grow the most, Jordan Walsh's shooting, and a bargain free agent signing. John Karalis gets into all that, then answers a question about whether a trade for Joel Embiid would be possible and if we're experiencing a big man renaissance. Plus, a shout out to international fans, and John invites three NBA players to a wedding.

We're now in the lull of the offseason, so it's time to play a game of "what if?" The first is wondering what would have happened had Ime Udoka exercised some self control and not gotten himself fired. Which player would have benefited? Who might have had a completely different season? Would Marcus Smart still be here? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm get into that before getting into an extended debate about what would have happened to Desmond Bane's career if he was drafted by Boston.

The Celtics are taking a rare step in remaking their roster after trips to the NBA Finals and Eastern Conference Finals. So where do they stand now that NBA business is basically over? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss the current state of the Celtics, whether the Kristaps Porzingis traded was an admission that Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown needed help, and what the next step should be.

Despite what some people thought, Joe Mazzulla's job was never really in jeopardy with the Celtics. Brad Stevens not only never considered firing Mazzulla, he's now fully bought in -- moving guys who just no longer fit with Mazzulla and bringing in a player to give Mazzulla new options. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal breaks it all down, and gets into why this could be a year that changes people's minds.

Summer league is over, and the one guy most people want to talk about is Jordan Walsh. His 3-point shooting was a surprise in Las Vegas, but will it be enough to earn him some playing time with the Boston Celtics this season? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss Walsh's potential, JD Davison's chances, and then get into Grant Williams admitting he was unprofessional at the end of his time in Boston.

It's a Mailbag Monday, and today's questions include a deadline for Jaylen Brown, Jordan Walsh helping Brown with his ball handling, CBA for dummies, trading for Aaron Nesmith, and a potential return for Blake Griffin. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal discusses all that and then answers some personal questions, including chasing an NBA dream.

Brad Stevens said Robert Williams is finally heading into a summer where he's healthy and able to build on that, and thanks to a new workout video shared on social media, we're seeing some of that work. Is Robert Williams going to add to his offensive repetoire, and if he is, how much does he need to add? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss that, Jaylen Brown's extension still not being done, and why Jordan Walsh is the guy to find in a zombie apocalypse

Brad Stevens briefly spoke to reporters in Las Vegas and said he was optimistic that a deal was going to get done in short order. However, his quote did have one interesting wrinkle. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal gets into that and then discusses Jordan Walsh's big night leading a Celtics summer league comeback against the Lakers, and how JD Davison had an important bounceback performance.

Jaylen Brown's extension still isn't done, and even though it should be soon, it definitely feels like there are reasons behind the deal still being negotiated. Also, Sam Cassell's hiring was celebrated when it happened, but Joe Mazzulla's role in the hiring makes it especially notable. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss all that and have some thoughts on the new play-in tournament.

The Boston Celtics have only played two games, but some trends are starting to show up in guys like Jordan Walsh and JD Davison. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal discusses that, why the zone defense they've been playing around with could be a sign that Joe Mazzulla will do something very smart with his defense, and whether John Wall is an option for the Celtics.

The Celtics summer league is under way and Jordan Walsh had an impressive opening game, while JD Davison needs a bit of work. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal discusses that before jumping into the mailbag to talk about what's next after the Grant Williams and Marcus Smart trades, Jayson Tatum's injury, and a bunch of fake trades.

Brad Stevens and the Celtics still seem to have more moves up their sleeve, and a new report suggests they're positioned for a "seismic strike." But what does that mean? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm break that down, plus get into Jaylen Brown's eventual super-max contract, a sort of audition year for two of Boston's three stars, and how refreshing it is to have Jordan Walsh around.

Grant Williams has been traded to the Dallas Mavericks in a 3 team deal that sends Reggie Bullock to San Antonio and a few second round picks to Boston. That's all. Why would Brad Stevens do a deal like that? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss the trade, how it really changes Boston, and why this is what the new CBA is meant to do.