Build A Supporting Cast

[PhoSita]

A lot of talk on the forums these days about how we could possibly upgrade the core and jump to contender status.

Well, I want to take a step back from that type of discussion for a moment and have fun with a different sort of idea:

What would the ideal supporting cast for this team look like?


For our purposes, the core of the Celts right now is Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, and Al Horford.

The end of bench guys are Demetrius Jackson, James Young, Gerald Green, Jordan Mickey, and Tyler Zeller.

We're gonna leave those spots on the roster alone.  Imagine those slots are set in stone.  That leaves one starting spot and five reserve spots open.  Pretend that those spots on the Celts' roster are empty and it's your job to fill them.

Your restrictions:

You may select one starter (>10 GS, >24 MPG) averaging fewer than 15 points per game and fewer than 12 rebounds per game.

You may select five reserves (<5 GS, <24 MPG) averaging fewer than 12 points per game.

Let's leave out players on the marquee teams of the league -- GSW, CLE, SAS, LAC, HOU, TOR.



Now, of course this is a silly game, just for fun.  And indeed, any team along these lines is probably not a contender.  I'm just curious to see what people think would be the ideal types of role players to support our current core.

[Who]

The best starter averaging less than 15ppg will surely be a defensive minded big man like DeAndre Jordan or Rudy Gobert. Oh, actually Draymond Green is on less than 15ppg so I'll take him as my starter pick.

Edit: Oh sorry, I forgot. No players off the contenders list. Gobert then.

PG - Isaiah
SG - Bradley
SF - Crowder
PF - Al Horford
 C - Rudy Gobert

I'll do the bench players next ...

Hmm, I think Smart is still the pick as backup guard. I'll go with Mirotic at PF. I'll give Norman Powell the nod at SG over Shumpert to get some extra shooting next to Smart. I also went with Mirotic as an offensive option to slide Horford to C or as a floor spacer next to Gobert. Noel feels like a cheat-choice so I'll go with WCS as my backup center. He has struggled early this season but I still believe in him as a starting caliber center. I am tempted to go with Evan Turner. He worked well here with most of the same players last year. Thabo and Shumpert are other options but both limited offensively. I'll go with Turner.

PG - Isaiah, M.Smart
SG - Bradley, N.Powell
SF - Crowder, E.Turner
PF - Al Horford, Mirotic
 C - Rudy Gobert, Cauley-Stein

More size and length throughout the team. A grind it out style group.

[PhoSita]

Yeah, this would be too easy if I let you use Deandre or Draymond. 

[Who]

Yeah, this would be too easy if I let you use Deandre or Draymond. 

I wonder if it would be good to take out the top rebounds too. Not just 15+ppg scorers. Because those center options (Gobert, Drummond, Dwight) are much more valuable than the alternatives on the perimeter.

[PhoSita]

Yeah, this would be too easy if I let you use Deandre or Draymond. 

I wonder if it would be good to take out the top rebounds too. Not just 15+ppg scorers. Because those center options (Gobert, Drummond, Dwight) are much more valuable than the alternatives on the perimeter.

Yeah, that's a good point.  I don't want to be TOO limiting here, but arguably any of those three wouldn't really be "supporting cast" if they were on the team.


Okay, I changed it so the starter has to be averaging fewer than 12 rebounds per game.  In particular this eliminates Andre Drummond and Dwight.  Deandre was already off limits.

Rudy Gobert is still an option, but I don't think he's a no-brainer over guys like Valanciunas, Adams, Vucevic, etc.

[Who]

In terms of the ideal supporting cast, I would like:

(1) A two way PF/C to play next to Horford
(2) A more offensively gifted SG/SF with Crowder or Bradley moving to the bench.

Not what I built above. Just thought it was worth mentioning while on the topic. That is what I would be looking add to the team.

[Moranis]

Supporting cast to do what?  Try to win now or build for the future?

Does Ben Simmons count as a reserve?

What about a player that starts but plays less than 24 mpg?  Is he a starter or a reserve.  Think a guy like John Henson.

No matter the answer to the questions above, Greg Monroe is clearly a "reserve" I would want on this team (and he might very well start).  I'd also probably go with Zach Randolph as a "reserve"

As for other reserves in contention: Mike Muscala, CJ Miles, Al Jefferson, Stanley Johnson, Derrick Favors, Joe Johnson, Nikola Mirotic, Brandon Jennings, Brandon Knight, Leandro Barbosa, Jeff Green, CJ Watson, Kelly Olynyk, Terry Rozier

As for the starter, Gobert, Adams, Caldwell-Pope, and R. Lopez were all in consideration, but I went with Nicolas Batum, who I would slot in at starting SF.


Looking at everything and going for win now (not the future) I think I would do this, though I'm not overly sold on anyone and could be talked out of any of them.

PG - Thomas, Knight, Jackson
SG - Bradley, Barbosa, Young
SF - Batum, Crowder, Green
PF - Horford, Randolph, Mickey
C - Monroe, Muscala, Zeller

[Csfan1984]

Kanter for AJ, Jerekbo and Clippers 1st. Let's OKC free up Cap and score a pick. Also gives them perhaps better fits along side Adams and Westbrook. Kills our 2017 cap space but sign and trades are still possible so this shouldn't be overlooked.

Aaron Gordon and Watson for Zeller, C's 2018 and Grizz 1st. Gives us an athletic sf/pf defender off the bench. Gives Magic cap relief and two 1st.


IT, AB, Crowder, Horford, Kanter
Rozier, Smart, Brown, Gordon, KO

[green_bballers13]

I'm not sure Kanter is a good mix with Horford. He's skilled but not a great rebounder. Almost a poor man's Horford.

I think they could use a better version of Amir Johnson. I'm not sure Noel is that guy, considering how much $ he might make. A DeAndre Jordan/Whiteside/Gobert type player. I'm interested in Gorgui Dieng once the Minnesota young guys get expensive.

[PhoSita]

Supporting cast to do what?  Try to win now or build for the future?

Build to make the most competitive team for this season.

I set out the requirements for the players you can choose in the original post.

You're right that those parameters leave out somebody is a nominal starter but plays fewer than 24 minutes a game.  I don't see any problem with you choosing a player like that if you want to. 

I suppose the minute limitation on the starter slot doesn't really mean anything.  It really only matters with the reserves, because there are some guys that play 26-28 minutes a game despite coming off the  bench, and I think it'd be a bit imbalancing if you could fill out your entire bench with players like that.

[max215]

Starter:
Gobert is the easy answer, filling just about all of our major needs.

Reserves:
Patty Mills- excellent shooter who can play on and off-ball
Dewayne Dedmon- elite rim protector
Richaun Holmes- bouncy rim protector (definitely available, too)
Omri Casspi- Jonas Jerebko with better shooting
Mirza Teletovic- outstanding shooter

[Csfan1984]

I'm not sure Kanter is a good mix with Horford. He's skilled but not a great rebounder. Almost a poor man's Horford.

I think they could use a better version of Amir Johnson. I'm not sure Noel is that guy, considering how much $ he might make. A DeAndre Jordan/Whiteside/Gobert type player. I'm interested in Gorgui Dieng once the Minnesota young guys get expensive.

Well Kanter is a double digit rebounder per 36. And better than any of our current bigs. He also prefers to operate down low and can pass a little. Plus he is young and locked up. So I think he would fit well. Like I said only draw back is cap space to sign a guy. Think a better version of Sully.

[PhoSita]

Here's my attempt:

Starter --> Vucevic

Why:

Elite defensive rebounder, decent passer for a big, has solid shooting efficiency inside the arc.  Beefs up the rebounding without compromising what Stevens needs from big men.

Bench -->  Mack, Temple, Miles, Nance, O'Quinn

Why:

Two 6'3''+ guards who can handle and shoot, a veteran sharpshooter, and a couple of youngish athletic rebounder / defender types with a little bit of range inside the arc.


So ...


Starters:

Thomas, Bradley, Crowder, Horford, Vucevic

Bench:

Mack, Temple, Miles, Nance, O'Quinn

[PhoSita]

Starter:
Gobert is the easy answer, filling just about all of our major needs.

I thought this too, but then I considered the fact that he doesn't really pass, he has no range, and he has no back to the basket game.

I'm not sure.  Gobert is probably the best answer, but it seems like Stevens's offense really needs both big men to have the ability to pass a little bit and shoot a little bit.

[jay]

2 trades that could help short term without giving up key players.

Mickey, Jerebko, Young and two 2nds  for Gortat if DC wants to dump him

Then Amir + 2 non-Nets firsts for Ibaka.


Horford. Gortat
Ibaka. Olynyk
Crowder. Jaylen
Avery. Smart
IT. Rozier.


Get two skilled bigs that are big upgrades over Jerebko/Amir.  Keep building through the draft.  Add the best player available with Nets pick.