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Stevens: Mazzulla returning as coach, Brown 'big part' of Celtics

Megan Briggs / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens confirmed that head coach Joe Mazzulla will return to the job next season, according to The Athletic's Jay King.

When asked if Mazzulla is the best coach for the team moving forward, Stevens said, "Yeah, I think he is."

Mazzulla and the Celtics were one win away from completing a historic 3-0 comeback in the Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat.

"He's a terrific leader," Stevens said, according to The Athletic's Jared Weiss. "He'll only get better at anything that he can learn from this year 'cause he's constantly trying to learn and he's accountable. Those leadership qualities are hard to find."

The first-time head coach took over from Ime Udoka on an interim basis after he was suspended for one year last September, and he took over the reigns permanently in February.

Stevens said that the Celtics will make at least one addition to the coaching staff to support Mazzulla, according to King. Georgia Tech hired assistant coach Damon Stoudamire to lead the program in March.

Boston might have more openings along the bench, as assistants Ben Sullivan, Aaron Miles, and Mike Moser are expected to join Udoka’s staff with the Houston Rockets, a league source told The Boston Globe's Gary Washburn.

Stevens also reiterated his commitment to wing Jaylen Brown after his up-and-down playoff run.

"I can say without a doubt we want Jaylen to be here, he's a big part of us, we believe in him and I'm thankful for him," Stevens said, according to Weiss.

"I'm really thankful for when guys have success, they come back to work. When they get beat, they own it and they come back to work," Stevens added.

Brown is eligible to sign a supermax contract extension in July after making All-NBA second team this past season. The 26-year-old struggled in the final contest of the playoffs, scoring 19 points on 8-of-23 shooting and committing eight turnovers.

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