Should Jordan Walsh make the roster?

[Roy H.]

Walsh is on a non-guaranteed deal.  Has he shown enough to be worthy of the 14th roster spot?  If not, are there any free agents more worthy?

My own thoughts:  I think he's a likeable guy.  I liked his selection as a draft pick (although I would have preferred we not trade down in the first place), and I think that he has NBA athleticism.  But, his offense is terrible.  He can't shoot, and worse, he's very hesitant with the ball.  I don't think he adds anything to the roster, and I don't think he's ever going to be much better than he is now.

At the same time, the list of best remaining free agents looks pretty terrible:

https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/free-agency/2025/09/22/2025-nba-free-agent-rankings-the-best-players-available-this-summer/83375785007/

Beasley might be the only guy on that list worth signing, and I doubt very much that he would want to accept a bench role for the minimum.  Because of that, and because the team has no championship aspirations this season, there's no real need to move Walsh at this point.  I don't think any of our 2-way players are worthy of promoting, nor do any of our camp invites seem like they're NBA players.

[Who]

I am disappointed in his lack of defensive playmaking and rebounding. If his offense is struggling, he needs to make up for by creating extra possessions for the team. He is very good athlete with good size. He should be able to do this.

Worse, I think he was better at these things as a rookie than he is now entering his 3rd season. He has become more passive as a hustle player without enough offensive improvements to compensate for it. I find this deeply frustrating.

I am near my breaking point with him. Although as you point out, there are no great alternatives as immediate replacements for him so I would give Jordan Walsh the rest of the season. Then make the call on his Celtics future based on his progress or lack thereof at the season.

[Celtics2021]

I think he will make the roster, barring a trade of some sort (for example where we get back one more player than we send out).  He unfortunately left injured early last night, so he did not play much and was probably hurt for some or all of the minutes he did play.  I do think Josh Minott should be ahead of him in the rotation, but as Walsh is on the minimum this year and is unguaranteed until July 20th next year, the better long-term move is to be patient.  At 21, he is still the age of many college juniors, and if I am being honest, I think he has more of an NBA future than Scheierman does.

[Who]

I think he will make the roster, barring a trade of some sort (for example where we get back one more player than we send out).  He unfortunately left injured early last night, so he did not play much and was probably hurt for some or all of the minutes he did play.  I do think Josh Minott should be ahead of him in the rotation, but as Walsh is on the minimum this year and is unguaranteed until July 20th next year, the better long-term move is to be patient.  At 21, he is still the age of many college juniors, and if I am being honest, I think he has more of an NBA future than Scheierman does.

I think both Minott and Hugo Gonzalez are ahead of Jordan Walsh at this point.

I am not optimistic about Scheierman anymore either. At this point, I don't think Scheierman or J Walsh are NBA level players. I expect this will be the final season for both of them on the Celtics roster.

[slamtheking]

I think he will make the roster, barring a trade of some sort (for example where we get back one more player than we send out).  He unfortunately left injured early last night, so he did not play much and was probably hurt for some or all of the minutes he did play.  I do think Josh Minott should be ahead of him in the rotation, but as Walsh is on the minimum this year and is unguaranteed until July 20th next year, the better long-term move is to be patient.  At 21, he is still the age of many college juniors, and if I am being honest, I think he has more of an NBA future than Scheierman does.

I think both Minott and Hugo Gonzalez are ahead of Jordan Walsh at this point.

I am not optimistic about Scheierman anymore either. At this point, I don't think Scheierman or J Walsh are NBA level players. I expect this will be the final season for both of them on the Celtics roster.

I agree that Walsh is behind all 3 of them at this point.  I didn't have high expectations for him when he was drafted and he hasn't shown anything so far.  I fully expect him to be shipped out with Simons at the deadline.  If he's not shipped out, this will be his last year here barring a miraculous turnaround this season.

Minott has been what Walsh was supposed to become.  Hugo has already shown he can provide more than Walsh on the court.

Baylor's got to start hitting shots or he's the new Carson Edwards.  He hustles and can pass but needs to hit shots at a much better rate than he's been doing.

[Birdman]

No way..like see Beasley, Westbrook or Bol

[Vermont Green]

Unless there is some FA that you think is going to stay and help the team in 2026-27, I see no reason to bring someone in.  May as well stick with Walsh.  I am not optimistic for Walsh at this point, but see no need for Beasley or Westbrook.  The only thing is if they play well and you trade them at the deadline for something of value.

[Moranis]

If they can sign someone for less than Walsh's contract, then I'm all for it, if not just keep him.

[Goldstar88]

I?d take Walshy over Baylor. Least Jordan can play defense. He shot the 3 ball reasonably well last year in the G-League and he?s still young.

[slamtheking]

I?d take Walshy over Baylor. Least Jordan can play defense. He shot the 3 ball reasonably well last year in the G-League and he?s still young.

does he though?  not any better than Baylor based on yesterday's game.

[boscel33]

NO!

[Atzar]

I?d take Walshy over Baylor. Least Jordan can play defense. He shot the 3 ball reasonably well last year in the G-League and he?s still young.

does he though?  not any better than Baylor based on yesterday's game.

Game just never slows down for some guys.  I watch the floor awareness that Minott displayed just last night and compare that to Walsh and it's night and day.  And Minott has been a fringe-rotation player to this point in his career.  Not like I'm asking Walsh to measure up to Tatum here.

Regarding Scheierman, at some point he decided that he's a microwave who is going to come in gunning whenever he touches the ball.  No interest in him in that role.  I liked him when he looked like a guy who could read the court and set up teammates.  Last night was just bad basketball on a night when pretty much everybody else was at least decent.