On this day in Boston Celtics history, the franchise faced a significant roster shake-up during the 1970 NBA expansion draft. It was the fifth expansion draft in league history, designed to stock the rosters of three new teams: the Buffalo Braves (who would later become the modern-day Clippers, not the Celtics—though that's a story for another day), the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Portland Trail Blazers. For Boston, it meant saying goodbye to three key players who had helped shape the team's championship legacy.

First up was point guard Emmette "Em" Bryant, who was selected by the Braves after just two seasons in Boston (1968–1970). Bryant had been a valuable contributor, averaging 6.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, and he played a role in the Celtics' 1969 championship—their last title until the mid-1970s. Interestingly, Bryant holds a unique place in NBA history: he's one of the few players ever selected in multiple expansion drafts, having previously been taken from the New York Knicks by the Phoenix Suns in 1968.

The Celtics also lost veteran guard Larry Siegfried to the Trail Blazers. Siegfried had been a cornerstone of Boston's rotation during their dynasty years, winning five championships in the 1960s over seven seasons. Known for his tenacious defense—a particularly tough loss for the team—he averaged 11.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game during his time in green. His departure left a gap in the backcourt that the Celtics would feel in the seasons to come.

Perhaps the most notable loss was forward Bailey Howell, who had been a force for Boston over four seasons, averaging 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. However, Howell's stay with the Braves was brief: he was almost immediately traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Bob Kauffman and a 1971 second-round draft pick. For Celtics fans, it was a reminder of how quickly the league's landscape could change, even for a storied franchise.

These departures marked the end of an era for Boston, as the team transitioned from its 1960s dominance into a new decade. While the losses stung, they also paved the way for future moves that would eventually restore the Celtics to glory.