How will Brad approach free agency and fill out the bench?

[boscel33]

What about RJ Hampton.  Just released by Detroit, I liked him in 2020.  Last year, 18MPG and 7.3 PPG while shooting 42% and 36%.  Could be an interesting depth piece.

[celticinorlando]

Hauser should be able to do what Robinson and Strus do for Miami. But it seems Joe has no trust in him. That is concerning.

If you are not going to play him regular minutes as a regular rotation player, then find someone else.

[RJ87]

Everyone (yes, including Brad) would prefer to add "vets that can still play". The problem is finding guys who still have gas in the tank and are willing to take the minimum just to ride the bench (or compete with younger guys like Hauser and Pritchard for minutes). You can sometimes find those guys if they're ring chasing, but I don't see many of those guys out there that we're likely to sign (I'd be happy with 1 and ecstatic with 2).

TP.

[Celtics2021]

Hauser should be able to do what Robinson and Strus do for Miami. But it seems Joe has no trust in him. That is concerning.

If you are not going to play him regular minutes as a regular rotation player, then find someone else.

Robinson was dropped from the Heat rotation for the better part of a year.  3-point shooters with questionable defense often find themselves in and out of a contender's rotation.

[Who]

We've got 15 roster spots, and 3 two-way slots.  We've got the following players:

Porzingis, Brown, Brogdon, White, Timelord, Horford, Pritchard, Hauser, Kornet, Champagnie, Walsh, Davidson (RFA), Kabengele (RFA), Williams (RFA)

One approach would be to say "that's our team", and run with those 14 players.  It's unlikely that happens, though.  I assume we'll make the following decisions:

Tatum - keep
Porzingis - keep and extend
Brown - keep and extend
Brogdon - keep
White - keep
Timelord - keep
Horford - keep
Pritchard - keep
Hauser - keep
Kornet - waive or trade
Champagnie - waive or trade
Walsh - sign using 2nd round exception
Davidson - elevate to main roster
Kabengele - waive 
Williams - TBD

If things work out that way, we'd have between two and four roster slots to fill.

No interest in those three players = Kornet, Kabengele, Champagnie. I want them gone. Waste of roster spots.

I want a solid 3rd string center to replace Kornet. I would be happy with either a defensive role player like Biyombo or an offensive role player like Kaminsky. Someone who has a specific skill-set that can be of use. Not just tall and in the way like Kornet.

Kabengele and Champagnie are not NBA players. Waste of roster spots. Dump them.

At least Kornet is an NBA player. I just don't like his game. I prefer a big man who has a more specialized role either as a defender or offensive player. But at least he is an NBA player. The other two guys are not. Dump them. 

[celticinorlando]

We've got 15 roster spots, and 3 two-way slots.  We've got the following players:

Porzingis, Brown, Brogdon, White, Timelord, Horford, Pritchard, Hauser, Kornet, Champagnie, Walsh, Davidson (RFA), Kabengele (RFA), Williams (RFA)

One approach would be to say "that's our team", and run with those 14 players.  It's unlikely that happens, though.  I assume we'll make the following decisions:

Tatum - keep
Porzingis - keep and extend
Brown - keep and extend
Brogdon - keep
White - keep
Timelord - keep
Horford - keep
Pritchard - keep
Hauser - keep
Kornet - waive or trade
Champagnie - waive or trade
Walsh - sign using 2nd round exception
Davidson - elevate to main roster
Kabengele - waive 
Williams - TBD

If things work out that way, we'd have between two and four roster slots to fill.

No interest in those three players = Kornet, Kabengele, Champagnie. I want them gone. Waste of roster spots.

I want a solid 3rd string center to replace Kornet. I would be happy with either a defensive role player like Biyombo or an offensive role player like Kaminsky. Someone who has a specific skill-set that can be of use. Not just tall and in the way like Kornet.

Kabengele and Champagnie are not NBA players. Waste of roster spots. Dump them.

At least Kornet is an NBA player. I just don't like his game. I prefer a big man who has a more specialized role either as a defender or offensive player. But at least he is an NBA player. The other two guys are not. Dump them.

Agree. Those three are pointless and add absolutely zero to this team. They are a waste of space.

[Who]

Hauser should be able to do what Robinson and Strus do for Miami. But it seems Joe has no trust in him. That is concerning.

If you are not going to play him regular minutes as a regular rotation player, then find someone else.

Robinson was dropped from the Heat rotation for the better part of a year.  3-point shooters with questionable defense often find themselves in and out of a contender's rotation.

I never liked that decision by Spoelstra. I thought it was extreme. D Robinson went from starter to DNP-CD almost overnight.

I like D Robinson's game. I think he is does a lot of good things for them. Not just his outside shooting but his movement without the ball is wonderful and the attention he commands from opponents is valuable. I also believe he is a better defender than he gets credit for. A below average defender but not a terrible defender.

It was great to see D Robinson have a strong playoff run. One of the more enjoyable role players to watch after their main 4-5 guys (Jimmy, Bam, C Martin, Lowry).

[ChillyWilly]

We've got 15 roster spots, and 3 two-way slots.  We've got the following players:

Porzingis, Brown, Brogdon, White, Timelord, Horford, Pritchard, Hauser, Kornet, Champagnie, Walsh, Davidson (RFA), Kabengele (RFA), Williams (RFA)

One approach would be to say "that's our team", and run with those 14 players.  It's unlikely that happens, though.  I assume we'll make the following decisions:

Tatum - keep
Porzingis - keep and extend
Brown - keep and extend
Brogdon - keep
White - keep
Timelord - keep
Horford - keep
Pritchard - keep
Hauser - keep
Kornet - waive or trade
Champagnie - waive or trade
Walsh - sign using 2nd round exception
Davidson - elevate to main roster
Kabengele - waive 
Williams - TBD

If things work out that way, we'd have between two and four roster slots to fill.

No interest in those three players = Kornet, Kabengele, Champagnie. I want them gone. Waste of roster spots.

I want a solid 3rd string center to replace Kornet. I would be happy with either a defensive role player like Biyombo or an offensive role player like Kaminsky. Someone who has a specific skill-set that can be of use. Not just tall and in the way like Kornet.

Kabengele and Champagnie are not NBA players. Waste of roster spots. Dump them.

At least Kornet is an NBA player. I just don't like his game. I prefer a big man who has a more specialized role either as a defender or offensive player. But at least he is an NBA player. The other two guys are not. Dump them.

Unfortunately the way our salary are structured we're going to have guys who dont belong in the NBA just because they fit in a financial need.

[ChillyWilly]

Hauser should be able to do what Robinson and Strus do for Miami. But it seems Joe has no trust in him. That is concerning.

If you are not going to play him regular minutes as a regular rotation player, then find someone else.

I'm giving Joe a mulligan on this one. He took over last minute in an extremely high pressure situation. Anything less than a banner was a fail to us. I think Joe wanted to prove he was the right guy buy running is best 6-7 guys. I'm guessing this season he will see the flaw in what he did and put more trust in more guys.

[Who]

What about RJ Hampton.  Just released by Detroit, I liked him in 2020.  Last year, 18MPG and 7.3 PPG while shooting 42% and 36%.  Could be an interesting depth piece.

This is 2 teams now that have given up on him. Edit: 3 teams.

Small two guard at 6-4 180lbs. Undersized probably vulnerable defensively (lacking height, muscle). Averages only 1apg in 18mpg. Bad number for a guard. Only a 1:1 AST:TO ratio which is what you want to see from your center. Not a guard. Bad signs.

The 42% FG% and 36.5% 3PT%. The three isn't bad. Around average on solid volume but the scoring outside of three is below average. Only 68% FT% for his career. Averaged 54.6% TS% last season which is well below average. Poor marks.

So we have a two guard who is likely a liability as both a defender & rebounder given his lack of size. Is limited as a ball-handler and passer given those assist numbers. A liability in that regard. And is a solid outside shooter but below average at every other type of scoring and below average overall. So a below average scorer that is very poor in passing equalling a way below average offensive player combined with likely a way below average defensive skill-set.

Not an attractive looking package.

Do you see something more from him? Growth? Or better defense than expected given his lack of size?

He came into the league very young and as guy with perceived upside but how much has he developed in 3 years? The shooting has improved but still leaves a lot to be desired.

I feel RJ Hampton is in the same camp as Killian Hayes. Guys we had high hopes for when they came into the league but both have failed to live up to those hopes, both have failed to develop well and progress and both are, ultimately, failures as NBA players who are on their way out of the league due to their lack of talent.

[Who]

I do not want to sign a veteran PG.

I understand the motivation to have one with Brogdon as injury prone as he is. It is a good idea to have one.

However, I want to open up an opportunity for JD Davison. It is time for him to join the Celtics and he needs a role on this team. I believe he is ready to be a 3rd string PG. Even if he leaves something to be desired as a main backup PG if required to fill it due to injury, I feel his upside long term is worth the risk. He has long term starter level potential.

I want to see Pritchard traded. We have held back his career long enough. Last season was tough on him with Smart, D White and Brogdon all ahead of him. He deserves regular playing time. He cannot get that here. That is fine. But we need to step aside, let him move on and build his career. I don't like how we are hurting him.

The same is true for JD Davison if we do indeed sign a veteran 3rd string PG. I want him traded so he can build his career elsewhere. He deserves the opportunity. If we won't give it to him, let someone else give him that opportunity.

I'd rather be the team to give him that opportunity because I like his long term potential and I do think he can be a solid 3rd stringer next year but I understand the argument for having a veteran 3rd stringer who could be better short term and more dependable if required to play minutes in the playoffs.

[Who]

I guess I don't really get the point. If championship teams are using 7-9 man rotations in the deep playoffs, why does the 11th and 12th man matter?

(1) Injuries
(2) Foul trouble
(3) Players who are out of form and struggling
(4) Specialized skill-sets for situational minutes. Say a shooter or a stopper.

[Vermont Green]

No interest in those three players = Kornet, Kabengele, Champagnie. I want them gone. Waste of roster spots.

I want a solid 3rd string center to replace Kornet. I would be happy with either a defensive role player like Biyombo or an offensive role player like Kaminsky. Someone who has a specific skill-set that can be of use. Not just tall and in the way like Kornet.

Kabengele and Champagnie are not NBA players. Waste of roster spots. Dump them.

At least Kornet is an NBA player. I just don't like his game. I prefer a big man who has a more specialized role either as a defender or offensive player. But at least he is an NBA player. The other two guys are not. Dump them.

Unfortunately the way our salary are structured we're going to have guys who dont belong in the NBA just because they fit in a financial need.

I agree that slots 11-15 are going to be filled with either young prospects who are fringe NBA (say Davison), marginal NBA journeymen like Kornet, or end of their career vets like Griffin.  Guys like Hauser and Pritchard are going to be part of the top 10 on the roster.  That was true for Denver and every other title team, at least lately.

I don't disagree on Champagnie and Kabengele, the latter especially.  He showed me nothing, and he had plenty of opportunity.  Champagnie may be something, he may not; we fans did not get to see a whole lot of him.  But if he is the 14th man on the roster, it is not the end of the world.  It would be nice if Josh Richardson could be signed but that just may not be realistic.

[green_bballers13]

I guess I don't really get the point. If championship teams are using 7-9 man rotations in the deep playoffs, why does the 11th and 12th man matter?

(1) Injuries
(2) Foul trouble
(3) Players who are out of form and struggling
(4) Specialized skill-sets for situational minutes. Say a shooter or a stopper.

The Warriors also employed a 7 man rotation (8 if we include Otto Porter's 13 minutes) in their Game 6 win over the Celtics in 2022.

I'm not sure the 14th man is the issue.

The issue is that we're going to pay Zinger, Williams, Horford, and Brogdon serious money when we can't rely on them to be healthy.

[Who]

I like Hauser as a backup SF and I am happy enough with him as our main backup wing if that is how things work out.

It is not my first choice though. I would rather sign an athletic two way wing to play ahead of him. Josh Richardson, Torrey Craig and Terrence Davis are three names who have been mentioned that I am very high on. I would be delighted to get any of these three guys. Then push Hauser back to 4th wing in the rotation behind the Jays and this new free agent.

I am happy with Jordan Walsh as a deep bench player. A defensive stopper. I don't think he has enough offense to play regular minutes but I do believe his defense & maturity is good enough to be trusted sporadicaly throughout the year as a 3rd string SF.

If we can't get a good two-way wing to play ahead of Hauser, I would target a more specialized SG type -- as opposed to a wing, a one position player instead of a two position player. Someone a bit smaller but is a legit shooter. Then move between Hauser and the new SG depending on matchup requirements.


I would like to keep Grant Williams if possible at backup PF but he may have to leave if his contract gets too high. A veteran minimum guy is likely the best we can do there. Probably only be a one-way player rather than the two-way player Grant was. And likely not able to be trusted to defend guys like Giannis. So I'd like to keep Grant if at all possible.

Then bring in a 3rd string PF. I still like Semi as a 3rd stringer. I would never have let him leave. Good D. Serviceable shot. Good talent for a 3rd stringer. Most 3rd stringers are more limited / one-way players than that. So I'd like to see him come back or someone like him signed on as 3rd string PF.