While the Celtics saw major roster turnover this summer, on the other side, that meant there are new faces in Boston. That includes former Timberwolves wing Josh Minott, who signed with the C’s through free agency.
Minott is expected to compete for a potential roster spot with the Celtics next season. Considering Jayson Tatum is expected to miss significant time, if not the entire year, there will be opportunities for minutes for a wing like the 6-foot-8 Minott. When it comes to Boston’s scouting report, Minott pointed out the obvious.
“Man, they shoot a (expletive) of 3s,“ Minott told reporters in Las Vegas. ”I’d say overall just their movement, ability to get downhill, create for others, spray out 3s, all that. So it’s a bunch I need to study, for sure.”
Minott, 22, has played the past three seasons in Minnesota, though he didn’t get much playing time. He’s played in 93 career NBA games, averaging 2.3 points and 1.0 rebounds. He was picked 45th overall in the 2022 draft, and while he hasn’t gotten many minutes, the Celtics will hope he can capitalize on the opportunity available in Boston.
Minott said Celtics president Brad Stevens’ sales pitch included that chance for playing time. He’ll likely compete with Georges Niang, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh and others when it comes to a potential rotation spot.
“I feel like providing that menace on defense and knocking down open shots,” Minott said of his role. “Running the floor, spacing the floor, being able to move without the ball, create without the ball, stuff like that.”
The Celtics will look significantly different up and down their roster. They’ve already lost three rotation players in Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday and Luke Kornet, with a fourth likely on the way in Al Horford. Boston inked two free-agent signings, Minott and fellow ex-Timberwolves player Luke Garza. The C’s also landed Anfernee Simons and Niang through the trades they made this summer.
Minott has his next NBA home as he looks to stick in the league. The Celtics will put up their 3-pointers as he pointed out, so he’ll need to fit in regarding those open looks. Minott is a career 33.9% 3-point shooter, though he’s taken a grand total of 59 attempts from deep. But the Celtics have developed shooters in the past, so they’ll hope Minott becomes the latest data point.
“Just nothing is given, everything is earned,” Minott said on his chat with C’s coach Joe Mazzulla. “Don’t expect anything, and obviously that’s everything to me. I just need an opportunity to get the chance to prove who I am and show what I can do.”
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