(can't trade Zeller) Hunter or Young needs to start packing?

[Monkhouse]

I think Mickey will be cut/traded, since we signed Horford we won't have the minutes to develop him plus he is too skinny and undersized despite wingspan. Young weighs 232lbs or something now according to Ainge, and still has more potential upside than Mickey IMO which is why Danny will roll with him.

I don't know who's staying, but I would like to keep Mickey. I think he has underrated potential, and his ability to block and contest shots will be perfect in our modern day era.

[alldaboston]

I think Mickey will be cut/traded, since we signed Horford we won't have the minutes to develop him plus he is too skinny and undersized despite wingspan. Young weighs 232lbs or something now according to Ainge, and still has more potential upside than Mickey IMO which is why Danny will roll with him.

mickey isnt going anywhere. except maine lol. i used to think young was getting cut, but now it might be RJ. i havent watched today's second half yet, which was when young and hunter played, but it seems like young is outplaying RJ?

[Rosco917]

IMO Young is beginning to look like he has the possibility to become a rotational NBA player, or possibly more. He still looses his man on defense, but not as much. He's not as athletic as advertised. But he no longer looks lost on the court, his shot is really great looking, and it's starting to fall. He's not afraid to rebound the ball, and he's filling out physically. James is finally maturing. And I'm starting to root for him.

Zeller needs to be replaced by a better big man for the second unit, when KO comes back, he'll go back to being an end of the bench player.

If RJ can't find his shot, he has serious problems staying in the NBA.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

Looks like Mickey is on the way out to me.

[CelticPride2016]

Zeller cannot be traded until January 15th, so this simply cannot happen.  GodZeller is trade fodder for the deadline, not clearing out the roster crunch in October.

Sorry, you were the one who corrected my premise. Thanks. Yes, Zeller is trade fodder for later or luxury insurance for bigs.

Yeah, it looks like Danny is simply going to have to eat a contract. Someone above said the last spot is between Hunter and Mickey. Perhaps. Or Jackson. He hasn't proven anything, although it seems he is safe and will get one year to practice in the D League.

Maybe Jordan Mickey should have played in Europe for a year or two. I don't see how the D League is that good of an option for unproven players at the end of the roster.

Some of these guys would be better off on bad teams. Then Hunter and Young could bomb away and put up chucker stats. We are too good to take chances on unproven scrubs.

[CelticPride2016]

The poll is currently shaped like the middle finger, but thankfully I didn't add two more options. Although I could have since Mickey and Jackson might be getting a bit too comfy.

[JSD]

Trade both... To the Clippers... For Paul Pierce.

[GRADYCOLNON]

If we could trade Young that might help solve the problem. His past two games proven that he might be moving in the right direction LOL. At least that's what we hope the other teams are thinking.  He makes old man Paul Pierce look athletic. Young is allergic to the ball if any defender is within 2 feet, granted when he is open he is shooting well.  Beside shooting when you're open because he finally understands shot selection after 2 plus years makes me really confident.

It's clear I think we should move on from Young.  I am unimpressed with his basketball intelligence, and the Celtics don't have enough skilled playmakers to support him standing in the corner every possession, at least not yet.  Despite being gifted with prototypical size and sweet stroke, he doesn't have a future with the Celtics. Also, did I mention his defense still sucks.

Some people might say Young is looking better than Hunter or Mickey right now, but remember that young is in the last year of his rookie deal and we can't wait another two years for him to learn another trick.  Instead Hunter and Mickey have more potential to grow due to their lengther, and they are cheaper.

Note: If Hunter develops more confidence in his defense, his offense will surpass what we have come to expect.  And WE NEED TO MOVE ON FROM ZELLER OMG DOES HE REMEMBER THAT HE IS PLAYING BASKETBALL?

[TA9]

Why isn't anyone mentioning Demetrius Jackson? The guy has barely played (I know... it's only two games, but still!), and it seems like that both Hunter and Young are infront of him in the rotation. Furthermore, we also have four players who can handle the ball on our team (IT, Avery, Rozier and Smart), which might make Jackson expendable?

[SHAQATTACK]

Young at least has the size now to play NBA . 

Not sure RJ has the frame to play NBA , even if he can shoot.  He maybe too lightly built for today's game.

[__ramonezy__]

I would consider myself objective, but given the scenario at hand I wouldn't cut Young... Mickey and Hunter seem like better candidates to be cut.

The discussion about the last roster spot has to do with one thing, potential. Us winning a championship will not depend on the player that makes this slot. Mickey is an undersized 4 that can't shoot, Hunter has a high BBIQ, but doesn't have the athleticism to put his thoughts into action.

Young on the other hand, has a higher ceiling (and a lower floor) than Mickey and Hunter combined and is still two years younger than them. His skill is also a sore area of need, if he can shoot 40% from 3-point range. He still needs to stop allowing backdoor cuts though... Hornets were killing him with them all night.

When we discuss the last spot on a roster, it's never about who is the better player now because all likelihood they won't see the floor this season anyway... it's about who has the potential to be the better player... and for now that is still Young.

[saltlover]

Why isn't anyone mentioning Demetrius Jackson? The guy has barely played (I know... it's only two games, but still!), and it seems like that both Hunter and Young are infront of him in the rotation. Furthermore, we also have four players who can handle the ball on our team (IT, Avery, Rozier and Smart), which might make Jackson expendable?

Jackson could be traded but not cut.  Hunter and Young are only in front of him in the rotation because both Green and Olynyk are out.  Green would likely be in front to play the 3, and if Olynyk were heathy, Brown would play less at the 4, also taking minutes from Young and Hunter.

Those two are getting minutes because only one of them is making the team.  Jackson is headed to Maine no matter what, so that's why he's not getting time during the pre-season.

[Surferdad]

I've been a huge avid supporter of Young, and I think this year he might actually get 3-5 minutes off the bench as opposed to being sent over to the D-League.

I haven't been able to watch any pre-season games, but from what my friend told me from the eye test.

-More willing to use his length on defense, even though he's still sluggish and slow on hustling back from the pump fake, he's using his wingspan to bother shots. He said he blocked Spencer Hawes.

-Clearly been more aggressive, and nailing his free throws which is a good sign and confidence booster for the young fella.

-Going up for some offensive boards.

-Taking more smarter shots, even though my friend said he felt like Young camped way too much in the corner. But my only counterargument with this, is I really want Young to be able to get used to shooting them corner 3's, ala young Avery Bradley. I would prefer he run and utilize screens more to free himself, but he is so young, you guys are really being far too critical.

My friend said he disliked watching Hunter play, and honestly bet me sober that Hunter would be waived, or traded to the GSW.

Young has shown a lack luster focus before, but what does it say how much more confident and aggressive he has been on offense and defense with Al Horford here? Horford is an absolute amazing human being. He's the quiet locker room leader that we have been missing.

I think we should keep Young, and I personally think he can get better. He just has had the mindset of someone who hasn't actually had to work hard for things. But I can tell he is a guy who is laid back and chill, but will step up when he needs to.

Can I say the same about Hunter? I don't know. His game winning 3 pointer has been exaggerated to death, and even Hunter himself has admitted that brought so much publicity to Georgia state.

Hunter lacks ball handling just as bad as Young, but he has a better knack for passing due to being a coach's son. He isn't athletic. He's lanky and long, but just as weak as Young, especially how easily defenders box him out.

His shot is also low, and Young is a left handed shooter, so I hypothesize Young will be an excellent shooter if he gets in a roll or rhythm.

Great post, TP.  Young is also almost 2 years younger than Hunter who turns 23 in a few weeks.  Young's solid play in pre-season has made this decision more difficult.  I was convinced he was odd man out, but I think he is starting show his potential.  He is being much more aggressive and has clearly put on the muscle this off-season.  With his new haircut he is reminding me of a slightly smaller version of Derrick Williams.

We just drafted D-Jax so it's silly to consider cutting him.  I think DA views him as a guy who fell to us so let's see if he can develop into something. He has a potentially lucrative non-guaranteed contract which reflects that potential.

[apc]

Looks like Mickey is on the way out to me.

Considering we have two bigs who are currently stashed, Mickey may be on his way out.

[ThePaintedArea]

Young camping in the corner is by design. That is not shying from the action - his biggest asset is his 3-pt range and spacing.