Your backup point guard is Avery Bradley or draft...

[gotjoker?]

Iman Shumpert or Nolan Smith?

That is, if these two players are your alternatives to Bradley going forward.

Both draft prospects are listed as combo guard and could be available in the second round or if Ainge can manage to trade up higher in this round. Actually, Bradley was regarded as a combo guard too.  I would think that all three players might make a name for themselves in the league by making the full transition to point guard.  And playing defense is supposed to be a strength for all three players.  Especially, when talking about Bradley and Shumpert prior to the draft.

[Evantime34]

Iman Shumpert or Nolan Smith?

That is, if these two players are your alternatives to Bradley going forward.

Both draft prospects are listed as combo guard and could be available in the second round or if Ainge can manage to trade up higher in this round. Actually, Bradley was regarded as a combo guard too.  I would think that all three players might make a name for themselves in the league by making the full transition to point guard.  And playing defense is supposed to be a strength for all three players.  Especially, when talking about Bradley and Shumpert prior to the draft.

I think Delonte West will end up being our back up point guard. However, I assume the question was Bradley or one of those two.

For next year I'd say Nolan Smith, just because he has more experience and would be more likely to run the offense out of the gate.

[the_Bird]

Delonte's the backup PG until he signs elsewhere; IMHO, he's (by far) the most likely of our free agents to re-sign.

Third-string, I wouldn't be surprised or disappointed to see Arroyo return.  Avery sure doesn't look like a PG, if he gets on the court at all it'll be at the 2.

[Marcus13]

So you decided we're not re-signing Delonte?

He's our best player off the bench.

[Chris]

Delonte's the backup PG until he signs elsewhere; IMHO, he's (by far) the most likely of our free agents to re-sign.

Third-string, I wouldn't be surprised or disappointed to see Arroyo return.  Avery sure doesn't look like a PG, if he gets on the court at all it'll be at the 2.

I agree.  I think Delonte will more than likely be back (although I think Green is probably just as likely to resign, unless the new CBA wipes out his RFA status), and I also think they will have another veteran PG on the roster, whether it is Arroyo, or someone else.

[xmuscularghandix]

Avery Bradley.

[gotjoker?]

I didn't feel the need to write "hypothetical" since it's a straightforward question.  I made no assumption as far as what will be the ultimate outcome here.

West is what he is: An injury prone combo guard.  Ainge likes him and he will likely try to re-sign him.  I simply was wondering out loud if Ainge could opt to see what he has in Bradley or look to this year's draft for another guard prospect with potential to play point guard.  If West is taken out of the equation, somebody will get his minutes.  It could be Bradley, it could be a rookie, it could be nobody if West is re-signed. I just would like to see what we have in Bradley or explore the possibility of drafting another guard.  Again, West has shown an inability to stay healthy for an entire regular season.  Rondo still requires breaks in between his minutes.  It doesn't hurt your roster to have extra insurance for certain positions.

But then, Boston did carry a lot of guards on the roster this season.  So it's feasible to re-sign West, not trade Bradley and select a guard in the second round given their number of free agents.


1.  Ray Allen (exercised player's option)
2.  Rajon Rondo
3.  Delonte West - unrestricted free agent
4.  Avery Bradley
5.  Von Wafer - unrestricted free agent
6.  Carlos Arroyo - unrestricted free agent
7.  Aleksandar Pavlovic - unrestricted free agent

[toneskeet]

Avery Bradley. . . I find it funny when people try to say Avery is useless because he didn't have an outstanding year. He was a rookie guard (arguably the hardest position to adjust) who didn't play much point at Texas, He didn't get to play in summer league, he missed a good portion of training camp, he didn't get minutes, Ainge didn't want him to spend too much time in the DL so he can learn from the vets, He has a solid mid range offensive game, and he is AN ABSOLUTE FREAK on the defensive side. He'll be fine, expect big things in the future from Avery Bradly. He'll be a solid role player.

[2short]

Rond, Delonte and "learning" minutes as 3rd string for Bradley.  If Bradley shows NOTHING like last year he's part of a trade.  At that pt we get a vet for little minutes per game.
Draft we need to concentrate of pf/c/sg

[Jon]

I agree about Delonte.  If he's back, he's our man.  Talentwise, he's about as good as you can get for a backup point guard.