Celtics 20-21 Roster Construction

Lazy vs Crazy

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So Smart slides into the starting lineup cleanly. I really think they need a better starting C. Hopefully they can use the MLE on Ibaka. Other than him, I'm not seeing anyone I'd love.

They badly need a good backup point guard. Kemba's knee will need maintenance, and with Smart starting he can't play as many minutes backing that spot up. I don't want another year of heavy Wanamaker minutes.
 

Ale Xander

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So their first 2 units currently seemingly consists of:

Offensive G Kemba
Defensive G Smart
W Brown
F Tatum
C Theis

PG Pritchard
Slash W Romeo
Shoot W Nesmith
PF Grant
C RWIII
 

lexrageorge

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What a crappy 24 hours for the Green Team. Current roster status and projection:

Guaranteed contracts (9):
Walker
Brown
Smart
Tatum
Theis
Langford
G. Williams
R. Williams
Edwards

First round picks (2):
Nesmith
Pritchard

Non-guaranteed contracts (1):
Green (guarantees 2/24)
Ojeleye (team option picked up; $1.8M salary guarantees 11/21)

2nd round pick (1):
Madar

Unsigned RFA [qualifying offer extended] (2):
Waters
Fall

Unsigned UFA (1):
Wanamaker
Hayward

Officially gone (3):
Poirier
Kanter
Hayward


Projected roster at the moment:

Starters (5):
Walker
Smart
Brown
Tatum
Theis

Bench spot secured (6):
Langford
G. Williams
R. Williams
Nesmith
Pritchard
Ojeleye (assuming contract guarantees today)

On the bubble or TBD (up to 7 players for 4 spots):
MLE veteran if one is still remaining
Scrap heap player(s) for veteran minimum (up to 2)
Waters
Green
Edwards
Wanamaker (resign)

Two-way (2);
Fall
TBD

Eurostash (1):
Madar

Blechh....
 

chilidawg

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So 4 roster spots, plus the 2-ways. Really need a big, a wing and a veteran point. Baynes would be great. I wouldn't mind Wanamaker back if his price is reasonable. I'd move on from Ojeleye, got to be somebody better out there than him.
 

lexrageorge

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So 4 roster spots, plus the 2-ways. Really need a big, a wing and a veteran point. Baynes would be great. I wouldn't mind Wanamaker back if his price is reasonable. I'd move on from Ojeleye, got to be somebody better out there than him.
I'm guessing that Semi's salary of $1.75M means he stays, as he's probably more useful than Edwards or Green.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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They need to be able to sell some vets on established roles/minutes that will propel them to bigger next contracts. Need our version of Brook Lopez for $3 mil, etc. Time to get creative.
 

Euclis20

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They need to be able to sell some vets on established roles/minutes that will propel them to bigger next contracts. Need our version of Brook Lopez for $3 mil, etc. Time to get creative.
That may be a hard sell, considering that although our depth is awful, our starting and closing lineups are pretty much set. No vet free agent is going from our bench to a giant contract elsewhere.
 

Jimbodandy

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That may be a hard sell, considering that although our depth is awful, our starting and closing lineups are pretty much set. No vet free agent is going from our bench to a giant contract elsewhere.
Marcus Morris did just fine for himself in the end.

And Rozier.

So did Gordo.
 

Euclis20

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Marcus Morris did just fine for himself in the end.

And Rozier.

So did Gordo.
Rozier was drafted by Boston (not a vet free agent) and Hayward got his deal based on his work this year (as a starter) not last year (when he was a mediocre 6th man). If the latter had repeated his 2019 performance, he would have happily opted in for another year at $34M, for better or worse. Morris comes close, if you can call a 1 year deal with the Knicks a "giant contract." He didn't get paid yesterday because of his work with the Celtics 2 years ago.
 

Jimbodandy

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Rozier was drafted by Boston (not a vet free agent) and Hayward got his deal based on his work this year (as a starter) not last year (when he was a mediocre 6th man). If the latter had repeated his 2019 performance, he would have happily opted in for another year at $34M, for better or worse. Morris comes close, if you can call a 1 year deal with the Knicks a "giant contract." He didn't get paid yesterday because of his work with the Celtics 2 years ago.
I'm just saying that coming off the bench for a year on this team isn't killing guy's careers. Three examples just popped into my head, albeit not perfect ones.
 

PedroKsBambino

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So, if you managed to do Millsap; Giles; and a vet min PG (which could just be Wanna back) that's still a pretty good rotation.

I wonder what Giles is aiming for---guaranteed minutes, a winning team, or some combo?
 

Auger34

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So, if you managed to do Millsap; Giles; and a vet min PG (which could just be Wanna back) that's still a pretty good rotation.

I wonder what Giles is aiming for---guaranteed minutes, a winning team, or some combo?
I am hoping for Baynes/Giles/and somehow getting a decent wing to cover for Romeo’s health and Nesmith’s inexperience.

Don’t forget that Giles and Tatum are best friends. Considering that and the fact that he should be able to get some minutes here, I think Boston is in as good a position as anyone for him
 

Euclis20

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I'm just saying that coming off the bench for a year on this team isn't killing guy's careers. Three examples just popped into my head, albeit not perfect ones.
For sure, but of those three, only Morris came to Boston as a vet FA looking for established minutes to get a bigger contract elsewhere, which is the criteria I was responding to initially. His success in that regard is questionable (at least in Boston), as his big contract didn't come until a year after he left Boston (and two teams later). Morris is certainly the type of player they should sign, but I'm not sure they can even afford that. Guys like Millsap might be their best hope, and he's the next level down (and possibly cooked).
 

Pilgrim

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Would really love to have that first round pick they gave away back, considering the bench is going to be all undeveloped players anyway.
 

Euclis20

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So their first 2 units currently seemingly consists of:

Offensive G Kemba
Defensive G Smart
W Brown
F Tatum
C Theis

PG Pritchard
Slash W Romeo
Shoot W Nesmith
PF Grant
C RWIII
Even with Hayward gone we've got lots of big athletic wings but my god, that has to be the shortest rotation in the league by mile. I know everyone is moving away from the big centers, but Tacko Fall is the only player under Celtics control who is taller than 6'8. Adding Millsap won't change that calculus either, as he's just 6'7.
 

JakeRae

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Even with Hayward gone we've got lots of big athletic wings but my god, that has to be the shortest rotation in the league by mile. I know everyone is moving away from the big centers, but Tacko Fall is the only player under Celtics control who is taller than 6'8. Adding Millsap won't change that calculus either, as he's just 6'7.
Millsap is staying in Denver.
 

radsoxfan

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On the bright side, this was an ECF finals team without Hayward last year.

Hayward's role by the end was to be a good 30 minute/game utility guy that prevented too many minutes from Semi et al.

If they can improve the bench at all, they have a good shot to be in the same place again. Kemba, Smart, Tatum, Jaylen is a great start and I'm cautiously optimistic on Nesmith, Timelord, and Grant. Just need 1 or 2 more players to lengthen the bench.
 

nighthob

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I think Shaq Harrison is a good start as a bench depth player. Replacing Wannamaker with a younger/more athletic version helps them break P2 Jr. in more slowly. And Harrison is switchable enough 1-3 an can even start cromulently during Walker's load management games (that assumes that Walker isn't sent to New York for Frankie Smokes and draft picks).

And Ainge and Kupchak can still arrange for Hayward to go there via sign & trade to open up space to use on other players.
 

JakeRae

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I think Shaq Harrison is a good start as a bench depth player. Replacing Wannamaker with a younger/more athletic version helps them break P2 Jr. in more slowly. And Harrison is switchable enough 1-3 an can even start cromulently during Walker's load management games (that assumes that Walker isn't sent to New York for Frankie Smokes and draft picks).

And Ainge and Kupchak can still arrange for Hayward to go there via sign & trade to open up space to use on other players.
I’d be pretty happy to have Shaq Harrison using either the biannual or part of the MLE. I also like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson as an affordable depth target who is a good and underrated player.
 

Swedgin

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I think Shaq Harrison is a good start as a bench depth player. Replacing Wannamaker with a younger/more athletic version helps them break P2 Jr. in more slowly. And Harrison is switchable enough 1-3 an can even start cromulently during Walker's load management games (that assumes that Walker isn't sent to New York for Frankie Smokes and draft picks).

And Ainge and Kupchak can still arrange for Hayward to go there via sign & trade to open up space to use on other players.
Do you think the Bulls let him go, with Dunn gone?

Edit: Never mind. Didn't realize they failed to extend the QO.
 

nighthob

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I’d be pretty happy to have Shaq Harrison using either the biannual or part of the MLE. I also like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson as an affordable depth target who is a good and underrated player.
Do you think the Bulls let him go, with Dunn gone?

Edit: Never mind. Didn't realize they failed to extend the QO.
I like RHJ as wing depth, too. Never learned to shoot, but he's high energy D that you can use at the big wing slot in Boston's three wing alignments.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Even though he's better than Edwards, Waters and most likely PP?
I don't want any of Edwards or Waters either. Didn't like the PP pick but I'll give him a chance and I think he may be better than Wanamaker. I'd try to sign a vet that isn't Wanamaker.
 

Cellar-Door

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So roster currently:

Walker
Smart
Brown
Tatum
Theis

Thompson
G.Williams
R. Williams
Ojeleye
Langford
Edwards
Pritchard
Nesmith
Green

One open spot (assuming neither Tacko nor Waters gets signed to the main roster)
 

Cesar Crespo

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So roster currently:

Walker
Smart
Brown
Tatum
Theis

Thompson
G.Williams
R. Williams
Ojeleye
Langford
Edwards
Pritchard
Nesmith
Green

One open spot (assuming neither Tacko nor Waters gets signed to the main roster)
possibly 2 since Green isn't guaranteed. I don't think Theis is yet either but that's a formality. I think for him the deadline is midnight tonight.
 

Saints Rest

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So roster currently:

Walker
Smart
Brown
Tatum
Theis

Thompson
G.Williams
R. Williams
Ojeleye
Langford
Edwards
Pritchard
Nesmith
Green
Can someone more knowledgeable than I summarize the other pieces that came out of this offseason's moves in toto, and what they mean:
  • trade exceptions, -- I think we picked up two, but we can only use one at a time???
  • BAE, -- there seemed to be some uncertainty over these last couple days if this was available or not. If it is, what's its cost?
  • luxury tax/apron tax/repeater/reset -- I know all these terms are related to each other and mean bad things not just for Wyc's wallet, but also for the lieklihood of adding salary, but what are the particulars?
  • other avenues of adding players -- are we at a place where we are now bound by salary in must be within 10% of salary out? Can the TPE's help?
 

PedroKsBambino

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I think you go PG or combo guard, not wing right? I guess you need more of a ballhandler

Brynn Forbes, Shaq Harrison (may not be enough of a ballhandler) maybe Jeff Teague (may find more money elsewhere) maybe Langston Galloway, maybe local kid Shabazz Napier Or Jevon Carter?
 

Cellar-Door

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Can someone more knowledgeable than I summarize the other pieces that came out of this offseason's moves in toto, and what they mean:
  • trade exceptions, -- I think we picked up two, but we can only use one at a time???
  • BAE, -- there seemed to be some uncertainty over these last couple days if this was available or not. If it is, what's its cost?
  • luxury tax/apron tax/repeater/reset -- I know all these terms are related to each other and mean bad things not just for Wyc's wallet, but also for the lieklihood of adding salary, but what are the particulars?
  • other avenues of adding players -- are we at a place where we are now bound by salary in must be within 10% of salary out? Can the TPE's help?
We are not going into the tax likely, as we used the full midlevel.

We have the BAE available to sign a player
[TH]Year[/TH] [TH]Salary[/TH]
2020/21 $3,623,000
2021/22 $3,804,150
Total $7,427,150


We created 2 TPE that last for a year (2.6 and 4.7 or thereabouts), you can use a TPE to take on a salary equal or less (cannot combine with each other or with any other process).

We can obviously trade with salary match.
 

TripleOT

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Even though he's better than Edwards, Waters and most likely PP? Dude shot 52/44/88 in the playoffs, with a 2/1 assist to turnover ratio. He's not a starter but he's pretty decent bench depth.
I don’t get the Wanamaker hate. Tough as nails, never complains when he get small minutes, extremely competitive, very low cost.
 

chilidawg

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I don't want any of Edwards or Waters either. Didn't like the PP pick but I'll give him a chance and I think he may be better than Wanamaker. I'd try to sign a vet that isn't Wanamaker.
Available UFA point guards: Napier, Teague, Reggie Jackson, Yogi Ferrell, IT. RFA's are Jordan McLaughlin, Jevon Carter, Chris Chiozza. Who's your pick?

Hah, just scrolling through the list and it says Tristan Thompson to the C's, for realz?
 

Cesar Crespo

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Available UFA point guards: Napier, Teague, Reggie Jackson, Yogi Ferrell, IT. RFA's are Jordan McLaughlin, Jevon Carter, Chris Chiozza. Who's your pick?

Hah, just scrolling through the list and it says Tristan Thompson to the C's, for realz?
McLaughlin but we got Teague.
 

Cesar Crespo

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So now it's up to what the Cs decide to do with Green. I'd guess Waters is gone as some team will give him a deal. Tacko I'm not sure will get an NBA deal.
 

lexrageorge

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Next update

Guaranteed contracts (12):
Walker
Brown
Smart
Tatum
Theis
Langford
G. Williams
R. Williams
Edwards
Tristan Thompson
Jeff Teague
Semi Ojeleye

First round picks (2):
Nesmith
Pritchard

Non-guaranteed contracts (1):
Green (guarantees 2/24)

2nd round pick (1):
Madar

Unsigned RFA [qualifying offer extended] (2):
Waters
Fall

Unsigned UFA (0):
Wanamaker
Hayward


Officially gone (4):
Poirier (TPE)
Kanter (TPE)
Hayward (Possible TPE)
Wanamaker


Projected roster at the moment:

Starters (5):
Walker
Smart
Brown
Tatum
Theis

Bench spot secured (8):
Langford
G. Williams
R. Williams
Nesmith
Pritchard
Ojeleye
Thompson
Teague

On the bubble (2 slots for 3 players, assuming no further vet signings):
Waters
Green
Edwards

Two-way (2);
Fall
TBD (could be Waters again)

Eurostash (1):
Madar
 

BigSoxFan

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Bench still needs another shooter, IMO. Lot of pressure on Nesmith to be that guy although a vet could surely be acquired if he isn’t ready.
 

NomarsFool

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With Hayward gone, they are a bit thin at wing, I think. I would have rather used the MLE on a decent wing, and spent much less money on a BIG. Thompson seems like an overpay.
 

lexrageorge

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With Hayward gone, they are a bit thin at wing, I think. I would have rather used the MLE on a decent wing, and spent much less money on a BIG. Thompson seems like an overpay.
As noted in the other thread, there are few players left in the MLE pool. And there is no way Thompson was going to get less than that from some team. The Celtics don't have the roster space to split the MLE anyway, and they will be below the luxury tax, so the money doesn't really matter unless you care about Wyc's profit margins.
 

Ale Xander

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So their first 2 units currently seemingly consists of:

Offensive G Kemba
Defensive G Smart
W Brown
F Tatum
C Theis/Thompson

PG Pritchard Teague
Slash W Romeo
Shoot W Nesmith
PF Grant
C RWIII Thompson/Theis

10.5 Semi

12 RWII
13 Pritchard
14-15 Green/Edwards/Waters/Tacko
 

lovegtm

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I can already anticipate the “omg the Celtics don’t have any wing depth!!!” on the way.

The thing is, I imagine that the team sees positions 2-4 as interchangeable, and acquiring Teague and Thompson let them delineate 1 and 5 more clearly.

Except against super-small teams, Grant probably won’t play the 5 anymore, so you’ll 48 mins/night from true centers. On the other end, Smart will be almost exclusively a 2/3 now (bringing the ball up the floor when the “1” is someone like Carsen).

So the 2-4 now is:
Smart, Tatum, Brown (~100 mins/game)
44 minutes to go between Grant, Romeo, Nesmith, and Semi. Except for Nesmith, any of those guys is fine going 35 mins in a regular season game for rest or injuries.

I’d love to get Bogdan, but this seems like pretty fine/good resource allocation, with room for young guys to get a chance without being too load-bearing.
 

scottyno

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I don't think Danny is done, but I also struggle to remember his last in-season acquisition who made a difference. Thomas?
Unless Greg Monroe for whatever money they had left in 17-18 midseason counts, he was good in the regular season not so much in the postseason. Danny hasn't made a significant midseason trade since dumping most of the roster in that 14-15 season.
 

scottyno

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The only negative to signing TT is that he seems to block Timelord's development because I'm not sure when he sees the court if both TT and Theis are healthy.