15th Roster Spot

[No Nickname]

Ron Harper Jr was signed to an exhibit 10 deal. He?ll be competing for the 15th spot throughout the summer league and training camp. He could be the Brissett replacement?

We have one regular roster spot and 1 2-way spot still open.  I see Harper as competing more for the last 2-way spot, not the 15th regular roster spot.  I imagine Anton Watson is the leader in the clubhouse for that last 2-way spot.

I was pretty disappointed in Peterson.  He has a 2-way contract currently, but I wonder what the implications would be if he was waived and replaced with say Harper.  I don't think the 2-way contacts are guaranteed.  So Peterson may not be any different than the guys with the Exhibit 10 contracts.

So far, Ron Harper Jr seems unremarkable. He?s pretty raw (needs reps) and looked slow and lost a few times on defense. Peterson at least is a little more polished. Harper on a 2-way should spend most of his time in Maine.

Watson is the best of the bunch. Smart and reliable, in the right places on offense and defense. Not spectacular but a nice glue cog. Def should at least be on a 2-way, but if he can dial in that shot he?s even worthy of the 15th spot.

Watson reminds me of Dwight Powell. Dependable, non-star, glue guy.

Of course he could blossom to greater heights as he?s a rookie, but that?s just an initial gut call.

[radiohead]

https://x.com/NoaDalzellNBA/status/1813600104307425701

Looks like Jay Scrubb will be in the mix too for the 15th slot.

[Celtics2021]

https://x.com/NoaDalzellNBA/status/1813600104307425701

Looks like Jay Scrubb will be in the mix too for the 15th slot.

Forgot about Scrubb.  Glad to see he?s recovering.

[Roy H.]

https://x.com/NoaDalzellNBA/status/1813600104307425701

Looks like Jay Scrubb will be in the mix too for the 15th slot.

My guess is that he'll be waived and sent to Maine, without ever being a contender for that 15th spot. 

[Vermont Green]

https://x.com/NoaDalzellNBA/status/1813600104307425701

Looks like Jay Scrubb will be in the mix too for the 15th slot.

My guess is that he'll be waived and sent to Maine, without ever being a contender for that 15th spot.

The report doesn't say but I assume he signed an exhibit 10 contract.  He had a 2-way deal last season but was waived after getting injured.  I would say that he is in the running for another 2-way but very unlikely he gets the last roster spot.

[Celtics2021]

Ron Harper Jr was signed to an exhibit 10 deal. He?ll be competing for the 15th spot throughout the summer league and training camp. He could be the Brissett replacement?

We have one regular roster spot and 1 2-way spot still open.  I see Harper as competing more for the last 2-way spot, not the 15th regular roster spot.  I imagine Anton Watson is the leader in the clubhouse for that last 2-way spot.

I was pretty disappointed in Peterson.  He has a 2-way contract currently, but I wonder what the implications would be if he was waived and replaced with say Harper.  I don't think the 2-way contacts are guaranteed.  So Peterson may not be any different than the guys with the Exhibit 10 contracts.

So far, Ron Harper Jr seems unremarkable. He?s pretty raw (needs reps) and looked slow and lost a few times on defense. Peterson at least is a little more polished. Harper on a 2-way should spend most of his time in Maine.

Watson is the best of the bunch. Smart and reliable, in the right places on offense and defense. Not spectacular but a nice glue cog. Def should at least be on a 2-way, but if he can dial in that shot he?s even worthy of the 15th spot.

One advantage Watson has over everyone else for the 15th spot is that he?s the cheapest.  The luxury tax bill for him is about $4 million less than for every other option, and his salary would be almost $1 million less for most other options.  I still think the Celtics will go with 14 players, but if there?s someone they really want to keep under control from summer league, for example, they can sign Watson to the 15th spot and put that other guy on a 2-way.

[Roy H.]

Ron Harper Jr was signed to an exhibit 10 deal. He?ll be competing for the 15th spot throughout the summer league and training camp. He could be the Brissett replacement?

We have one regular roster spot and 1 2-way spot still open.  I see Harper as competing more for the last 2-way spot, not the 15th regular roster spot.  I imagine Anton Watson is the leader in the clubhouse for that last 2-way spot.

I was pretty disappointed in Peterson.  He has a 2-way contract currently, but I wonder what the implications would be if he was waived and replaced with say Harper.  I don't think the 2-way contacts are guaranteed.  So Peterson may not be any different than the guys with the Exhibit 10 contracts.

So far, Ron Harper Jr seems unremarkable. He?s pretty raw (needs reps) and looked slow and lost a few times on defense. Peterson at least is a little more polished. Harper on a 2-way should spend most of his time in Maine.

Watson is the best of the bunch. Smart and reliable, in the right places on offense and defense. Not spectacular but a nice glue cog. Def should at least be on a 2-way, but if he can dial in that shot he?s even worthy of the 15th spot.

One advantage Watson has over everyone else for the 15th spot is that he?s the cheapest.  The luxury tax bill for him is about $4 million less than for every other option, and his salary would be almost $1 million less for most other options.  I still think the Celtics will go with 14 players, but if there?s someone they really want to keep under control from summer league, for example, they can sign Watson to the 15th spot and put that other guy on a 2-way.

Yeah.  I think your instinct is probably right about keeping it open, though.  The last couple of years we've played with 14, and then signed someone fairly shortly before the playoffs. 

The caveat, at least reported earlier, is that they'd be willing to bring OB back.  We'll see if that's on the table.

I'm also curious, would Stevens bring back Hayward if he wanted to play here?  Or, would that be too disruptive to chemistry?

[Celtics2021]

Ron Harper Jr was signed to an exhibit 10 deal. He?ll be competing for the 15th spot throughout the summer league and training camp. He could be the Brissett replacement?

We have one regular roster spot and 1 2-way spot still open.  I see Harper as competing more for the last 2-way spot, not the 15th regular roster spot.  I imagine Anton Watson is the leader in the clubhouse for that last 2-way spot.

I was pretty disappointed in Peterson.  He has a 2-way contract currently, but I wonder what the implications would be if he was waived and replaced with say Harper.  I don't think the 2-way contacts are guaranteed.  So Peterson may not be any different than the guys with the Exhibit 10 contracts.

So far, Ron Harper Jr seems unremarkable. He?s pretty raw (needs reps) and looked slow and lost a few times on defense. Peterson at least is a little more polished. Harper on a 2-way should spend most of his time in Maine.

Watson is the best of the bunch. Smart and reliable, in the right places on offense and defense. Not spectacular but a nice glue cog. Def should at least be on a 2-way, but if he can dial in that shot he?s even worthy of the 15th spot.

One advantage Watson has over everyone else for the 15th spot is that he?s the cheapest.  The luxury tax bill for him is about $4 million less than for every other option, and his salary would be almost $1 million less for most other options.  I still think the Celtics will go with 14 players, but if there?s someone they really want to keep under control from summer league, for example, they can sign Watson to the 15th spot and put that other guy on a 2-way.

Yeah.  I think your instinct is probably right about keeping it open, though.  The last couple of years we've played with 14, and then signed someone fairly shortly before the playoffs. 

The caveat, at least reported earlier, is that they'd be willing to bring OB back.  We'll see if that's on the table.

I'm also curious, would Stevens bring back Hayward if he wanted to play here?  Or, would that be too disruptive to chemistry?

It would probably depend how Hayward and the Js actually got along together.  For the most part everyone has seemed very professional when talking to the public about teammates, but Brad (and Joe for that matter, since he was an assistant) know what went on behind closed doors.  If that bit of chemistry isn?t a hurdle, then it is Brad having a real conversation with Gordon about what his role would most likely be, and figuring out if that could work for him (potentially the 9th man in a healthy rotation that went 8 deep in the postseason and 7 deep by the end of the finals).  It also would not surprise me if they have already had that conversation and Hayward, who had a terrible experience stapled to the OKC bench at the end of the year, determined that was not for him.

[Vermont Green]

I would say that there is more pressure or more reason to fill the 15th spot this season than the last couple of seasons, due to knowing that Porzingis is going to be out for a chunk.  That means we are really 13, not 14.  If we can find a guy like Queta last season for one of the 2-way spots, they could use that to fill the gap.  But right now, I am not sure any of the 2-way guys will do that.  I don't expect anything from Peterson.  Watson looks to be ahead of him already, but I am not sure you can count on Watson either.

I feel like we have OK depth at C with Horford, Kornet, and Queta.  But who do we have at PF/Swing?  Tatum (for when we play small), Tillman (who didn't do much last season), and ????? (Watson, Peterson).  I don't really like playing Tatum at PF in the first place, but I definitely don't like it with so little back up.  Horford needs to miss games.  Tatum will miss some too.  We are going to see a lot of Kornet, Queta, and Tillman.  Not the end of the world, but a soft spot.  Not sure there is much that can be done about it.  I kind of like Jordan Nwora for that slot.  The Tatum-like swing who can offer something different than Tillman or Queta.

[wdleehi]

Is there anyone worth signing that would provide more then one of the 3 two-way contracts at the moment?   

I like the same plan as last year of leaving it empty and using the two way contract guys to fill out the regular season and if either one of them earns a spot for the playoffs or a free agent appears (that they can sign under the rules) that can help them in the playoffs, then fill the spot.

[Vermont Green]

Is there anyone worth signing that would provide more then one of the 3 two-way contracts at the moment? 

I like the same plan as last year of leaving it empty and using the two way contract guys to fill out the regular season and if either one of them earns a spot for the playoffs or a free agent appears (that they can sign under the rules) that can help them in the playoffs, then fill the spot.

Anyone who would provide more than Peterson?  I think that is a pretty easy yes.  Doesn't mean those players want to sign with Boston, but there are definitely still players out there that could give much more than Peterson:

Covington
Achiuwa
Osman
Nwora
Brissett

These are all players that have established NBA track records.  Nothing off the charts, but a far better option off the bench than Peterson or Watson.  Maybe not enough better to warrant a contract with all the taxes and other implications, I get that part of the decision, but there are still options.

I suspect they may be waiting on Brissett.  He is trying to find more playing time (per Stevens), but he may not find it.  In the end, he might come around to being open to coming back to BOS.  I have asked a few times for feedback on Nwora.  I see him as a similar player.  More offense than Brissett, less everything else, but I see him as the same range of talent.  Some one who could eat some minutes if Tatum is out or if something else limits the normal rotation.  He may want more of a role too.

[SHAQATTACK]

Keep her open

[ozgod]

Brad has all but said that he's probably going to wait. He doesn't see a need to rush to fill the 15th spot just to tick the box.

The Celtics have 14 players on their roster with one more spot and another two-way contract available.

Stevens said Wednesday there is no hurry to add. Oshae Brissett, who opted out of the final year of his contract, remains a free agent. He is one of several intriguing players who remain on the market as non-minimum salary opportunities dry up.

?We have to be mindful of the last roster spot what our needs might be,? he said. ?Oshae had a terrific year with us, not only when he got the opportunity on the court as a teammate and as a person and obviously, in his shoes, there might be a desire to play more. I always want to be respectful of that.

?We loved having Oshae and as far as how we fill out the rest of the roster, we kept 14 most of the year last year and then we added two at the end of the year. We?ll see how the next few months play themselves with regard to people?s availability. Obviously Kristaps [Porzingis] is going to have a long rehab process ahead of him and we have to determine what?s the best need for our team in that 15th spot.?

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/07/17/sports/summer-like-no-other-brad-stevens-addresses-composition-celtics-roster-teams-sale-player-olympic-participation-with-usa-basketball/

I agree, zero need to fill a spot for a player who will likely not even suit up most of the year. Wait till there's an injury or a pressing need that makes itself known rather than pick someone just for the sake of it when they have zero chance of cracking the rotation anyway.

[ozgod]

Ron Harper Jr was signed to an exhibit 10 deal. He?ll be competing for the 15th spot throughout the summer league and training camp. He could be the Brissett replacement?

We have one regular roster spot and 1 2-way spot still open.  I see Harper as competing more for the last 2-way spot, not the 15th regular roster spot.  I imagine Anton Watson is the leader in the clubhouse for that last 2-way spot.

I was pretty disappointed in Peterson.  He has a 2-way contract currently, but I wonder what the implications would be if he was waived and replaced with say Harper.  I don't think the 2-way contacts are guaranteed.  So Peterson may not be any different than the guys with the Exhibit 10 contracts.

So far, Ron Harper Jr seems unremarkable. He?s pretty raw (needs reps) and looked slow and lost a few times on defense. Peterson at least is a little more polished. Harper on a 2-way should spend most of his time in Maine.

Watson is the best of the bunch. Smart and reliable, in the right places on offense and defense. Not spectacular but a nice glue cog. Def should at least be on a 2-way, but if he can dial in that shot he?s even worthy of the 15th spot.

One advantage Watson has over everyone else for the 15th spot is that he?s the cheapest.  The luxury tax bill for him is about $4 million less than for every other option, and his salary would be almost $1 million less for most other options.  I still think the Celtics will go with 14 players, but if there?s someone they really want to keep under control from summer league, for example, they can sign Watson to the 15th spot and put that other guy on a 2-way.

Yeah.  I think your instinct is probably right about keeping it open, though.  The last couple of years we've played with 14, and then signed someone fairly shortly before the playoffs. 

The caveat, at least reported earlier, is that they'd be willing to bring OB back.  We'll see if that's on the table.

I'm also curious, would Stevens bring back Hayward if he wanted to play here?  Or, would that be too disruptive to chemistry?

I don't think it would be disruptive from a locker room point of view, but I think it would be disruptive to the way we play. He's not as good a defender as he was prior to his injury. That ship might have long sailed. Would he impact winning more than Hauser or PP in a way that would make us better than we were last year? Plus would he get in the way of players like Walsh, Scheierman and other rookies we're trying to carve out some minutes for? I have my doubts.

[tonydelk]

Ron Harper Jr was signed to an exhibit 10 deal. He?ll be competing for the 15th spot throughout the summer league and training camp. He could be the Brissett replacement?

We have one regular roster spot and 1 2-way spot still open.  I see Harper as competing more for the last 2-way spot, not the 15th regular roster spot.  I imagine Anton Watson is the leader in the clubhouse for that last 2-way spot.

I was pretty disappointed in Peterson.  He has a 2-way contract currently, but I wonder what the implications would be if he was waived and replaced with say Harper.  I don't think the 2-way contacts are guaranteed.  So Peterson may not be any different than the guys with the Exhibit 10 contracts.

So far, Ron Harper Jr seems unremarkable. He?s pretty raw (needs reps) and looked slow and lost a few times on defense. Peterson at least is a little more polished. Harper on a 2-way should spend most of his time in Maine.

Watson is the best of the bunch. Smart and reliable, in the right places on offense and defense. Not spectacular but a nice glue cog. Def should at least be on a 2-way, but if he can dial in that shot he?s even worthy of the 15th spot.

One advantage Watson has over everyone else for the 15th spot is that he?s the cheapest.  The luxury tax bill for him is about $4 million less than for every other option, and his salary would be almost $1 million less for most other options.  I still think the Celtics will go with 14 players, but if there?s someone they really want to keep under control from summer league, for example, they can sign Watson to the 15th spot and put that other guy on a 2-way.

Yeah.  I think your instinct is probably right about keeping it open, though.  The last couple of years we've played with 14, and then signed someone fairly shortly before the playoffs. 

The caveat, at least reported earlier, is that they'd be willing to bring OB back.  We'll see if that's on the table.

I'm also curious, would Stevens bring back Hayward if he wanted to play here?  Or, would that be too disruptive to chemistry?

I don't think it would be disruptive from a locker room point of view, but I think it would be disruptive to the way we play. He's not as good a defender as he was prior to his injury. That ship might have long sailed. Would he impact winning more than Hauser or PP in a way that would make us better than we were last year? Plus would he get in the way of players like Walsh, Scheierman and other rookies we're trying to carve out some minutes for? I have my doubts.

I would be shocked if either side wanted to partner with each other.  Hayward probably feels he's not a vet minimum player and can still thrive with 25 mpg.  If he came to the C's then he'd take Hauser's minutes.  He'd be a nice luxury to rest the J's but I doubt Hayward's pride will allow him to go to a team and have spotty playing time.  He's only 34 years old.  I'm sure his playing time and salary requirements are why he's still available but I would put the chance at him in a Celtic uniform at 0.01%