Key dates for the Boston Celtics up until the start of the 2021-22 NBA season

The Boston Celtics have already radically reshaped their front office and coaching staffs, traded away a starter who was the last big free agent signing of the team and their first-round draft pick for 2021 while they did it, and the offseason ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season has hardly even started, with two teams still duking it out in the NBA Finals.

But there’s still plenty of work to do and key dates it needs to happen by for the Celtics and new President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. There’s enough it can be a little dizzying to the casual fan trying to keep tabs on what their favorite team still needs to do — and when.

To that end, we put together a list of all the key dates of major decision points remaining in the offseason, as well as other key events that will shape the team’s offseason. Let’s take a look at what still could be on the horizon and the dates on which it would need to occur.

7/23/21 - 8/8/21: Team USA (and Jayson Tatum and Ime Udoka) at the Tokyo Olympics

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

New team president Stevens has already been spending some time with recently-hired head coach Ime Udoka and All-Star forward Jayson Tatum as Team USA trains for the Tokyo Olympics in Las Vegas. Udoka and Tatum will continue to get the benefit of working together from late July to early August.

7/29/21: 2021 NBA draft

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

While the Celtics currently only have their second-rounder at No. 45, they could well hit on a good one in such a deep draft. It is also not out of the question that a trade could land Boston a first in this draft -- or even an outright purchase.

7/30/21: Vincent Poirier traded player exception expires

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

The traded player exception (TPE) generated by dealing Vincent Poirer to the Philadelphia 76ers expires on this day. If the Celtics do not use it (and they probably won't, given the size), they lose it.

7/31/21: Jabari Parker contract partial guarantee ($100,000)

Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

Parker's deal -- if he is kept -- will guarantee for 100 large on this date, and the rest by the league-wide guarantee date in the middle of the season should the Celtics retain his services that long. It gives Boston some cap flexibility while also giving the former top pick a real shot at earning a role on the team.

8/1/21: Tacko Fall, Tremont Waters qualifying offers due

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

It would not be out of the question to see one of these two back as a two way player next season, but Boston will need to make up their mind by this date. If they do not tender an offer by this date, these two will become unrestricted free agents with a legitimate chance to be picked up elsewhere.

8/2/21: Free agency begins (6 p.m. ET)

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

On this date and hour, teams, free agents and their representation can agree to the deals they absolutely, definitely did not talk about before this hour. That was sarcasm, folks. Fingers crossed Boston re-signs Evan Fournier on a mutually agreeable deal. That was NOT sarcasm.

8/2/21: Enes Kanter traded player exception expires

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The TPE created by dealing Enes Kanter into space for cap savings expires on this date. As with the Poirier TPE, it's use it or lose it -- and this one at least has a chance, though Boston may bide their time given they have several others as big or bigger.

8/6/21: Trades, new signings can be made official

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

Those deals that were miraculously negotiated just minutes after 6 p.m. on August 2 can finally be inked. It's amazing what people can do with technology these days (sarcasm again).

8/8/21 - 8/17/21: Las Vegas Summer League

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Our favorite event to overreact to en masse returns to Sin City. While the exact roster is yet to be fully revealed, the Celtics should have a substantial and compelling squad out there to overvalue based on small sample sizes.

8/16/21: Gordon Hayward Traded Player Exception expires

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

As with the Poirier and Kanter TPEs (use it or lose it) goes this one. Keep an eye on the news cycle for days ahead of this one; it has among the highest of any TPE in Boston's toolkit to get used.

9/28/21: Training camps begin to open

AP Photo/Elise Amendola

Players return to Boston to gear up for the 2021-22 season in earnest starting on this date. While Boston might lag a day or two behind depending on their own schedules, this is the earliest it can happen.

10/18/21: Final day to sign Robert Williams III to an extension

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

It's time to extend Timelord by on this date, or he'll become a restricted free agent at the end of the season. More than likely it'll be done before this date hits if it will be done at all, and we think it likely they'll work it out, but it can't happen after this business day closes.

10/19/21: Opening Night for the 2021-22 NBA season

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics basketball returns. It may be on this date or a day or two later at most, but this is the first date they can schedule a tilt for the Celtics. This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook! [lawrence-related id=54046,54044,54042,53930] [listicle id=53658]

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