The Celtics kick off training camp next week with a host of new faces including Anfernee Simons speaking for the first time since being dealt to Boston. What names further down the roster could be major factors to begin the year? Let’s look at some of the rotation possibilities, the bigs and more in this week’s mailbag.
What is the prevailing theory about Simons and his potential to stick with the team? — Deion F
It’s going to be based largely on his trade market around the league, in my opinion. The guard spot is very deep around the league and there simply aren’t a lot of teams in the market for a guy making $26 million that wouldn’t start for most teams. That could change if certain injuries hit but even then, the finances would need to make sense for Boston to make a deal worth. They aren’t going to want to take on unwanted long-term money in any deal for Simons and instead ideally would be cutting salary.
It should be easier for Boston to find a fit on that front as the season continues and some teams become more willing to deal. For now, Simons gets a chance to build his worth and show his value to Boston (or any other team moving forward). It’s hard to envision him getting the kind of deal from the Celtics that he might want due to the team’s salary commitments beyond this year so the best case scenario for Simons is probably him getting dealt to a team this year that likes him. He will get a chance to show off his full offensive skillset here with Jayson Tatum sidelined and his 3-point volume will be a welcome addition in Joe Mazzulla’s offense. How he holds up on the defensive end will tell the tale of whether his stop in Boston is brief or could ultimately lead to something more.
Who is your first big off the bench BRobb? — Fortuna
It’s tough to know given the various possible machinations of the starting five. However, if he’s not starting, my bet would be on Chris Boucher. He provides the proven floor spacing this team will need with a second unit, and he’s got a track record of being a good energy guy off the bench in Toronto. The bigger question to me is whether he will be used more as a center or a power forward in Boston alongside Luka Garza or Neemias Queta. Going double bigs would certainly be helpful for Boston’s defense and rebounding next year, but the best odds this team might have for winning games next year could be going smaller and uptempo (making Boucher a candidate at center). It’s going to be a fascinating subplot in training camp to see which way Joe Mazzulla leans on that front.
Hello Brian. Who of the younger guys will get first crack at making the rotation? — CsFanMan
I think we’ll see Josh Minott get a big chance early. He checks a box as a defensive-minded wing with athleticism that provided some encouraging glimpses in brief stints in Minnesota over the last few years. If he can outshine Jordan Walsh in training camp, it’s easy to envision him getting regular minutes off the bench, and he could even be a sleeper candidate to start, depending on how Joe Mazzulla constructs the rotation. Garza is on the older side for this category (26) so the other guy who should get plenty of reps is Baylor Scheierman given the promise he showed at the end of last season. The Celtics are going to need his shot creation with the second unit, and he does a number of other little things that should help their offense stay afloat while some of the starters rest.
Tatum back on the court by easter? yay or nay — Tommy Von
If he’s going to play next year, he’s definitely going to be back by then (April 5th). Given all the optimism about his recovery so far and the fact that 10 months (March) was the goal for him out of the gate in his recovery, I’ll say yes.
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