State of the Roster

[CFAN38]

Still have not decided how I feel about the trade and my brain is in fantasy football mode but contemplating the rest of the roster seems like a good way to dive back into a Celtics off season that I thought was completed.

I see the first chip in filling out the roster being Shane Larkin. The larkin signing seemed at the time like a strange fit but now it makes some sense. DA likely signed Larkin expecting to lose Terry or Smart in a trade. If DA is done trading it makes sense to get rid of Larkin. Another trade is a possibility but its hard to see a player of equal or greater value coming to the roster at Smart or Rozier's contract cost.

If Larkin is cut that leaves the Cs two roster spots.

Basicly the roster breaks down as follows (minus 2 ways deals)

PG Irving, Smart, Rozier

Wings Hayward, Brown, Tatum, Morris, Nader, Ojeleye

Bigs Horford, Baynes, Yabusele, Theis

It looks like a simple when listed but the minutes breakdown will still be a tough puzzle for BS to figure out.

breaking out the minutes it looks to me like the Cs will need to play small with Horford seeing almost all of his minutes as the only big on the court. The exception will be against the few teams with truly game changing centers.

PG Irving 35min, Rozier 13min
SG Brown 20min, Smart 28min
SF Hayward 35min, Brown 8min, Tatum 5min
PF Morris 25min, Tatum 15min, Theis 8min
C Horford 32min, Baynes 14min, Theis 2min

I think this leaves the Cs with something along these groupings with other players worked in

Starters Irving,Brown,Hayward,Morris,Horford

2nd Unit Rozier,Smart,Hayward,Tatum,Baynes

3rd Unit Irving,Smart,Brown,Morris,Horford

Finish Irving,Smart,Brown,Hayward,Horford

Figuring the two empty roster spots are going to be "break glass if needed" type vets. I suspect the Cs add a vet wing and a legit 7' in case Baynes is hurt.

I agree with other posters that at the wing Gerald Green or Tony Allen would be good options I would stick with Gerald because of his relationship with Brown and to keep some roster continuity.

In the post my first thoughts are Bogut or Hibbert as they bring legit size. The other options that I like are testing the health of Ezeli, or looking ainto Lavoy Allen who I always have liked. My dark horse would be Boris Diaw who would be an excellent system fit playing Horfords role. 

[Csfan1984]

I'm hoping we have a big trade for Davis

Horford, Rozier, Brown, C's 2018 and LA pick
For
Davis and Asik

Irving, Hayward, Tatum, Davis, Asik
Smart, Nader, Morris, Theis, Baynes
Allen, Bird, Semi, Yab

[CFAN38]

I'm hoping we have a big trade for Davis

Horford, Rozier, Brown, C's 2018 and LA pick
For
Davis and Asik

Irving, Hayward, Tatum, Davis, Asik
Smart, Nader, Morris, Theis, Baynes
Allen, Bird, Semi, Yab

Nothing involving Davis is happening this season.

The only other type of trade I could see happening would be one built around Smart or Rozier to improve the front court. However given the lack of salaries to make a deal work I suspect we just see FA additions.

[tazzmaniac]

I'm hoping we have a big trade for Davis

Horford, Rozier, Brown, C's 2018 and LA pick
For
Davis and Asik

Irving, Hayward, Tatum, Davis, Asik
Smart, Nader, Morris, Theis, Baynes
Allen, Bird, Semi, Yab

Hope all you want but that trade is not happening.  NOP would get a good laugh though.  Also, Asik at starting C would be ugly. 

[Big333223]

The C's are still missing a solid backup center with real size. I think Mason Plumlee is still out there. I wonder if he could be got for the Vet minimum. He might be a nice fill in as a solid passing big man when Horford sits.

[Somebody]

The C's are still missing a solid backup center with real size. I think Mason Plumlee is still out there. I wonder if he could be got for the Vet minimum. He might be a nice fill in as a solid passing big man when Horford sits.

I think we're better off targeting guys like Lavoy Allen and Bogut.

[jambr380]

I'm hoping we have a big trade for Davis

Horford, Rozier, Brown, C's 2018 and LA pick
For
Davis and Asik

Irving, Hayward, Tatum, Davis, Asik
Smart, Nader, Morris, Theis, Baynes
Allen, Bird, Semi, Yab

Hope all you want but that trade is not happening.  NOP would get a good laugh though.  Also, Asik at starting C would be ugly.

Maybe, but that is essentially everything we have as an asset except Tatum - minus a couple of picks - and a much better package than the one we just sent to Cleveland for Irving. We would also be taking Asik off their hands. I am not sure who else is going to offer a better package than that.

[Celtics4ever]

2nd Unit Rozier,Smart,Hayward,Tatum,Baynes

This is inane.  We did not max Hayward to play with our second unit.  It kind of makes all the effort of your analysis  GO BOOM!

[CFAN38]

2nd Unit Rozier,Smart,Hayward,Tatum,Baynes

This is inane.  We did not max Hayward to play with our second unit.  It kind of makes all the effort of your analysis  GO BOOM!

I 100% except to see Brad Stevens stagger the minutes of Hayward and Irving over the course of the game in order to avoid costly scoring droughts. This will hold especially true vs elite teams and in the playoffs. Last season the loss of Evan Turner was felt the most when IT was off the court and the offense stalled. Often times we would see Steven look to Smart to generate offense out of the post. This was effective but limited Rozier's minutes with Smart and was very dependent on match-ups.

This season Stevens is bless with two 20+ppg scorers who can act as primary options when on the court. Both players can and will be the focal point of the offense at different points in the game. Tatum with time will also be a primary scoring option.

Hayward and Irving will play together at the start of the game and at the end of the game. However there will be times though out the game where they are not on the court together and they are leading role player heavy units against other teams subs. 

When Doc had the big 3 lets not forget how often Ray was on the court with the 2nd unit having the offense run around him in order to avoid a lull while KG and Pierce rested.

[Rosco917]

We still need another bench scorer, and rebounding help. We need Brown or Rozier to really take a full next step to surprise anyone.

Until then it will be Stevens looking for the hot hand on the second unit all the time.

[Chris22]

We still need another bench scorer, and rebounding help. We need Brown or Rozier to really take a full next step to surprise anyone.

Until then it will be Stevens looking for the hot hand on the second unit all the time.

Brown and Rozier played well in the playoffs.