Stevens had no experience in an NBA front office when the Celtics named him Danny Ainge’s replacement in June 2021. Those with Stevens at Butler still believed he was more than qualified for the job. “Just being around him for so long, you’re like, he’s going to crush this,” said Shrewsberry. “He’s going to absolutely kill it.” The former Butler assistants have nodded their heads several times while watching the way Stevens has assembled the Celtics roster. They see his impact in the way his team has consistently avoided drama, secured buy-in and acquired players committed fully to their development. He has looked for all the same qualities he would have wanted at the school.