Kemba Walker - PG
Marcus Smart - SG
Jaylen Brown - SF
Jason Tatum - F
Enes Kanter - C
My point is that Smart starts the game. If you switch Smart for Hayward there is simply "too much offense" on the court.
Smart and Kanter can "tee up" the other three, who represent the Celtic's offense for this season.
6th man - Hayward
First big - Poirier
First guard - Edwards
9th man (if there is one) - G. Williams
During the season, an 8 man rotation as above.
Guys who would also get minutes, obviously:
R. Williams
Any minutes he gets will be from "taking them" from Kanter/Poirier which, from a coaching standpoint makes sense. I really want R. Williams to be the first big off the bench, but, he has to outplay these guys.
This season, Grant Williams is a wildcard. He is such a polished, disciplined player with excellent instincts. He will get minutes, but, he is small. He was "small" against college lineups last year. He hit 23 consecutive free throws one night against Vanderbilt. He plays big in big games. He was the "middle linebacker" on defense calling the sets on the way back up the court.
Brad Stevens is going to love this guy and he will take minutes from other players. He might end up taking a lot of minutes from other players.
I suppose with 1:30 left and the Celtics up by two:
These three guys are on the court with whomever based on matchups:
Smart
Brown
G. Williams