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

[Vermont Green]

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.

I see those as connected.  We could trade Pritchard but if we do, we probably should sign a vet PG like Derrick Rose or someone.  I am not sure that makes us better.  I prefer to keep Pritchard, he is a useful.  He will get more opportunity now that Smart is traded.  Team first.  If we can trade Pritchard and bring in a vet and make the team better, great.  Otherwise just keep Pritchard.

As to Davison, he may be ready to be 3rd string NBA, but if so, just barely.  I am fine with that if they do put him on the regular roster.  He still has a ways to go though before he is going to challenge Pritchard for minutes.  I am not sure it will make a difference in terms of his development whether he is regular roster or 2-way.  I like Davison, I see a lot of promise, but he is still just a prospect at this point.

[footey]

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.

Yeah, and then Heat pick up Champagnie, he gets hot in playoffs and knocks Celtics out again.  Caleb Martin redux. LOL.  He seems like a good guy for Heat to groom, not Celtics.

[radiohead]

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.

Terrence Davis had some big games for the Kings when he was given the chance to start. He can be a good energy guy off the bench.

[radiohead]

This guy may be a cheap option to round off the bench. He can be the poor man’s Gallo/Muscala replacement. He looks agile, can handle the ball, and has a nice stroke from three. If he performs well in summer league, maybe brad gives him a 2 way deal.

https://youtu.be/Kg1Llfa31Hc

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

Are we gonna see another wave of sign and waive roster moves like last year?

[Vermont Green]

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.

I think this is all pretty much right on, or at least in line with my thinking (so must be right  ).  I think we are going to end up with Kornet as our 5th big and Griffin as out 6th, with Grant as the 4th big, but Semi could be alright too.

As to the wing depth, I agree, I am "OK" with Hauser as a second team wing, but if we could get someone better so that he was the 3rd team wing, that would be better.  I was looking at Torrey Craig as I am not all that familiar with his game.  Didn't realize he is 32, will be 33 for the second half of the season.  He would probably work well though, if we could get him for what we could offer (likely vet min).  I don't see why PHX would let him get away though.  They are desperate for depth.

Terrence Davis is more SG than SF, and I am not sure he is actually any better than Hauser.  Certainly more proven than Champagnie, I would not mind signing him, but I am not sure how much of an upgrade he would be.

Then there is Josh Richardson that you mention.  To me, he always seems like he should be better than what I see when I watch him play.  It was very much that way when he was on the Celtics.  He is probably going to be more of a full TPMLE guy ($5M), something we may or may not be able to offer (depending on Grant and other things).  I think he would offer some respectable veteran insurance but I just have this feeling that he would not end up helping all that much.

[konkmv]

Misic rights for cash and a second rounder
 tavarez for nothing best center in euroleague
 jalen Smith  for pritchard
bey for anyone and 2 3 seconds

Lineup
Misic white brogdon Davidson
Brown hauser walsh bey
Tatum Smith horford
Porzingis Williams tavarez
Find an extra shooter.. you are fine

[Who]

Misic rights for cash and a second rounder
tavarez for nothing best center in euroleague
 jalen Smith  for pritchard
bey for anyone and 2 3 seconds

Lineup
Misic white brogdon Davidson
Brown hauser walsh bey
Tatum Smith horford
Porzingis Williams tavarez
Find an extra shooter.. you are fine

Tavarez was in the NBA before, wasn't he?

Has he improved much in Europe? Is he quick enough & mobile enough defensively for NBA basketball?

[konkmv]

Misic easily a 12p6as guy
Tavarez easily a 12p8r 2bl guy

[Irish Stew]

I don't know why so many posters have Al starting over Rob. Rob is a unique talent in the prime years of his career. Al is now a 37 year old who should be a short minutes backup, who if I remember correctly, at one point this past season went a month or two without attempting a foul shot. In spite of this, Al is still useful.

[gouki88]

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.

That is a failure by Spoelstra IMO, insofar as being so committed to Strus over Robinson. Strus was bad against us, and complete trash against Denver, yet Spo refused to turn to the on-fire Robinson.

[Celtics2021]

I don't know why so many posters have Al starting over Rob. Rob is a unique talent in the prime years of his career. Al is now a 37 year old who should be a short minutes backup, who if I remember correctly, at one point this past season went a month or two without attempting a foul shot. In spite of this, Al is still useful.

I think Al fits better next to Porzingis than does Rob, so that’s why I’d use that pecking order.  Porzingis can’t operate in the post as well when Rob is on the court, because they can send double teams more easily.  When Al plays with him, they have to cover the perimeter more and stay home.

[vjcsmoke]

I feel like the Celtics need a veteran ball handler and an extra wing.  Feels like we are set for bigs now.

We don't have a lot of assets but we do have people we can trade and some 2nd round picks to complete deals that make sense.

We're about a couple of solid guys away.  We need some veteran ring chasers that can add some extra experience and composure for late in games.

They don't have to be world beaters, but if they can give you like 15 good minutes a game in the playoffs, that's a solid addition.

[CFAN38]

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?

In my opinion the really basic best way to build a winning roster is...

Strong versatile 8 man rotation for the playoffs.

Your best 5 players should be able to close out the game on the court together.

Spots 9,10, and 11 should be inferior but redundant to players 6,7 and 8. They provide injury insurance in the playoffs and depth to win in regular season in case of injury/load management to top 8.

Spots 11-15 should be developmental players or specialists

2-ways should be high ceiling swing players or reinforce potential weaknesses in the 9-11 spots.

How I see the current roster (really guessing on 2ways)

1. White
2. Brown
3. Tatum
4. KP
5. Rob

these are the likely starting 5

6. Brogdon (likely replaces Rob to create the end of the game 5)
7. Al (can play along side KP or Rob and also play as sole big)
8. ? (with Grant likely gone the Cs really need a 3-D wing)

9. PP (good enough to stretch the Cs playoff rotation to 9, hopefully eats up reg season min for Brogdon)
10. ? (a 4th big who can play in case of injuries will be important this season, maybe Blake comes back?)
11. Hauser (I don't think he is good enough to be 8th man but still excellent bench piece)

12. Walsh (time will tell but I'm optimistic he cracks top 8 in 2nd/3rd season)
13. Kornet (seems like a well liked teammate who is a nice fit as 5th big)
14. JD (I'm high on him long term and think he has earned full roster spot, can change dynamic of game with his ability to push pace of game, future spark plug guard?)
15.

2-way. Juhann Begarin (maybe the Cs stash him for another year but Id like to see him come over and develop along side JD and Walsh)
2-way. Balcerowski (big mobile center on summer league team)
2way. Vincent Valerio-Bodon (he had some late buzz going into the draft, will be interesting to see in SL)

Bu my count that leaves the Cs needing to bring in an 8th man in the form of a wing and a 4th big to spell KP,AL, and Rob. Grant could effectively fill both roles but is likely to be to expensive.

I really have no idea what these players will command as FAs and have a very loose understanding of this off-seasons cap. I believe the Cs will likely has a 5mill exception to use.

8th man targets

Vasilije Micic* (not a 3-D wing but at 6'5 210+ I think he and Brogdon would work well as 6th/8th combo)
Josh Richardson
Derrick Jones Jr
Terrance Ross
Torrey Craig
Jae Crowder
Will Barton
Javonte Green

*trade target

10th man targets

Blake Griffin
JaMychal Green
Tyey Lyles
Robin Lopez
Frank Kaminsky
Dewayne Dedmon

[hpantazo]

Josh Richardson would be ideal. If we can't get him, I hope we use Grant to trade for a good defensive wing. Crowder, Ross and Barton are cooked. Crowder couldn't even see the floor on a Bucks team that needed help in the playoffs.

I would love to get Ingles as a 10th man.