The issue with Rozier isn't whether the Celtics (or Celtics' fans) want to keep him. I cannot fathom anyone at this point not wanting to keep Rozier. The problem is one of economics. I think it's clear that there's just no way to keep him, presuming his value just keeps going up up up. He's demonstrated to be a damned good NBA player, period. So the question is, what to do with him, given that he'll be a free agent after 2019?
1. Keep him and bring him off the bench either to run alongside Kyrie, or to give Kyrie rest. Or, as very good Kyrie insurance in case Irving's recovery takes longer or whatever. Rozier is the kind of guy you love having as a backup because you know he can thrive either as a backup or as a starter. Doing this may maximize your championship chances in 2018-19, but then the risk is you lose him for nothing.
2. Trade Rozier this offseason. I would bet his value will be at its peak this offseason, following what has been a breakout playoff run. Presumably, if Kyrie comes back, he swallows up the most minutes, and Jaylen Brown isn't going anywhere, so Rozier's playing time will be cut dramatically next year (if everyone stays healthy). So he's simply not going to put up the same numbers. Moreover, he'll still have a year of control for the team picking him up, and that team will be able to offer him more than competing teams when he hits free agency after 2019.
3. Trade Kyrie instead. I floated this as something the Celtics at least have to be considering. I see it as a vanishingly small likelihood, but they have to have at least discussed it. They lose the better player, but they'd get more back in return if they go this route.
One thing to keep in mind: Maybe if he plays in a sub role in 2018-19 all year and sees his stats diminish, that will lessen what he can get on the open market. Probably not, because everyone has seen what he's capable of doing, but still, it's possible.
Every one of the options listed above has its own merits. Gut feeling says Danny holds on to him for 2018-19, tries to offer him an extension that the Celtics can manage, but Rozier declines and hits free agency, but Danny is willing to take that risk because he wants Rozier for the 2018-19 championship run he hopes to make.
1. Keep him and bring him off the bench either to run alongside Kyrie, or to give Kyrie rest. Or, as very good Kyrie insurance in case Irving's recovery takes longer or whatever. Rozier is the kind of guy you love having as a backup because you know he can thrive either as a backup or as a starter. Doing this may maximize your championship chances in 2018-19, but then the risk is you lose him for nothing.
2. Trade Rozier this offseason. I would bet his value will be at its peak this offseason, following what has been a breakout playoff run. Presumably, if Kyrie comes back, he swallows up the most minutes, and Jaylen Brown isn't going anywhere, so Rozier's playing time will be cut dramatically next year (if everyone stays healthy). So he's simply not going to put up the same numbers. Moreover, he'll still have a year of control for the team picking him up, and that team will be able to offer him more than competing teams when he hits free agency after 2019.
3. Trade Kyrie instead. I floated this as something the Celtics at least have to be considering. I see it as a vanishingly small likelihood, but they have to have at least discussed it. They lose the better player, but they'd get more back in return if they go this route.
One thing to keep in mind: Maybe if he plays in a sub role in 2018-19 all year and sees his stats diminish, that will lessen what he can get on the open market. Probably not, because everyone has seen what he's capable of doing, but still, it's possible.
Every one of the options listed above has its own merits. Gut feeling says Danny holds on to him for 2018-19, tries to offer him an extension that the Celtics can manage, but Rozier declines and hits free agency, but Danny is willing to take that risk because he wants Rozier for the 2018-19 championship run he hopes to make.
