We’re running a weekly mailbag during the Celtics offseason. If you have questions about the Celtics or NBA, email brobb@masslive.com or tweet @briantrobb
Hi Brian,
First time writing in to ask a question. I just wanted to hear your thoughts on Brad making a point to get rid of the deep benchwarmers that Danny held onto for so long (Tacko, Tremont, Carsen, Semi). I feel like we replaced many of these guys with legit NBA talent which has upgraded us more than people think. Where can I read your response if you answer this? Thank you so much and keep killing it. —Kyle
It was fairly evident that Brad Stevens’ preference was for bench veterans during his time as head coach and that philosophy has certainly translated to the front office so far. There is still a lot of young talent on this roster with plenty to prove but Boston’s offseason moves have moved out some of the excess on that front that Stevens was saddled with last year. There were too many young situational players on last year’s roster and that’s an area where Stevens addressed by moving on from the players you mentioned. They were all replaced by experienced veterans in one form or another and even Stevens’ potential two-way guys (Sam Hauser, Juwan Morgan) are seasoned college players rather than youth developmental projects. On the whole, the roster looks like it has a lot more reliable depth for Ime Udoka heading into this season due to this tinkering. We will see if this strategy translates this as well on the court as on paper.
Brian,
I assume the Celtics will have to decide this October to pickup the contracts for those players still on rookie contracts for the 2022-23 season. What will they do with Grant Williams and Romeo Langford? Will Williams be worth 4.3 mil and Langford 5.6 mil in the fourth year of their contracts in 2022-23? Thanks, Jeff W
The option deadline on rookie contracts for this season is actually November 1st, which gives Boston a full 10 days of regular season action to help them decide on any contract decisions. The team has a history of waiting until the last minute to pick up options and I expect them to do the same here. Aaron Nesmith and Payton Pritchard are locks to have them picked up. If the team was pursuing salary cap space next offseason, the decisions on Grant Williams and Romeo Langford would be intriguing.
However, all of Boston’s potential cap space has dried up after Marcus Smart, Robert Williams and Josh Richardson landed extensions. Barring some kind of major injury, Grant Williams and Romeo Langford should feel safe about having their fourth-year options picked up. It remains unclear whether either will be worth that money yet but the Celtics will have to bet on yes for now simply because they will have limited means to replace either in free agency next offseason. Thanks for the kind words!
Brian-
Long time listener, first time emailer. Do the results of preseason (2nd half offense let down), evidence of last year (multiple scoring droughts) vs the office season moves have anyone else worried? I don’t see vinnie the microwave Johnson on our bench or Pritchard/Neismith 41 games away\half season from being 10 mins of instant offense. I’ll take my answer off Gmail. Thanks - JP
Offense is certainly the biggest weak spot based on the offseason personnel the team brought in. Brad Stevens was able to snag some more shooting with size (Al Horford, Juancho Hernangomez) but neither of those guys are going to propel the offense on a nightly basis (particularly at this stage of Horford’s career). Elsewhere, Richardson and Schroder have offensive upside when used correctly but both have had unreliable strokes from 3-point range during their careers and take a lot of non-efficient twos from the midrange.
I do think however that Stevens is betting on defensive upside with those guys with the hopes that they will simply be able to knock down open looks created by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Your overall premise is right though. Defense is going to be what win most games for Boston, particularly with the bench units. I’d expect Tatum and/or Brown to get a lot of chances with the reserves to make up for the fact there is not a reliable instant offense option yet (Pritchard/Nesmith developing on that front would do wonders for group).
Is Grant Williams or Jabari Parker the odd man out with Hernangomez in? — Jake
Training camp is going to tell the tale on that front in my estimation. Hernangomez has been a rotation player throughout his entire career but he spent the last two seasons on a bad Minnesota team. It’s highly possible Williams and/or Parker could beat him out for minutes in camp, even though Hernagomez’s 3-point range will likely make him an appealing option for Ime Udoka at times.
In all honesty, I expect the rotation at backup power forward to be a revolving door unless someone separates themselves early. There are certain matchups that make sense for each guy, whether the team wants a passing or defensive look (Grant Williams), spacing (Hernangomez) or a shot creator (Parker). In all honesty, Parker is probably the likeliest guy to be the odd man out at this point simply because his contract is non-guaranteed and Boston is well into the luxury tax. The team could simply roll with 14 players if he does not have a strong camp, so he will have plenty to prove next month.
Can the Celtics extend Jaylen before season starts or do they have to wait next off season? — Shafici
The Celtics must wait until next October (the anniversary of Brown’s extension) in order to offer him a contract extension. The NBA allows veterans to sign contracts three years after they were signed initially (if the deals were five years or longer). Stevens will be able to offer Brown 120 percent of his current salary as a starting salary in his extension with raises worked in yearly. Whether that’s high enough of an offer for Brown will likely be dependent on how much the NBA salary cap has risen by then.
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