The Celtics’ core is set for next season. Boston president Brad Stevens added to the team without shaking up the rotation too much, and that’s why the Celtics are title contenders. Of course, that’s pending any Kevin Durant trade or news as the C’s have offered Jaylen Brown for the Nets star.
There isn’t too much ongoing movement on the Durant front at this point, though, as the league enters a quiet period ahead of training camp. But the Celtics have made some smaller moves in hopes of bolstering the back-end of their roster, reportedly signing former first-round picks Bruno Caboclo and Noah Vonleh ahead of camp.
While Boston’s rotation is set, it still has three standard roster spots it needs to fill. The Celtics filled in both two-way slots, signing second-round pick JD Davison and Mfiondu Kabengele to those deals. Those final three rostered players aren’t going to play on a nightly basis, but having depth over the course of an 82-game season is crucial for a team hoping to make another NBA Finals run.
That’s where guys like Caboclo and Vonleh come in as two guys who didn’t pan out in the league but are hoping to stick out with the Celtics. Boston’s been looking for another big man as insurance behind Robert Williams III and Al Horford. Perhaps that’s where the 6-foot-10 Vonleh, a Haverhill native, can provide some size for the Celtics should they need another option.
The Celtics are also looking for the best available wing, which C’s coach Ime Udoka pointed out in Summer League. Boston already has plentiful options at that position, but that’s mostly another depth play for a long season. Caboclo could slide into the option after he had a solid Summer League showing for the Jazz last month.
When Vonley and Caboclo were selected in the 2014 NBA Draft, there were high hopes for both young players. Vonleh, the No. 9 pick by the Hornets, was an elite five-star player and finished a one-and-done college career at Indiana. Caboclo, the No. 20 selection for the Raptors, was considered a raw prospect and got the notorious “two years away from being two years away” moniker from an analyst at the time.
Each player has bounced around the league and overseas before trying to revive their career with the Celtics.
Vonleh has played in 339 career games NBA games, averaging 4.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, suiting up for the Hornets, Trail Blazers, Bulls, Knicks, Timberwolves, Nuggets and Nets. Vonleh spent last season with the Shanghai Sharks in China, where he averaged 15.0 points and 9.9 rebounds in 23.2 minutes per game.
Caboclo hasn’t spent as much time on the NBA court, where he’s played in 105 games, averaging 4.2 points per game, and playing for the Raptors, Kings, Grizzlies and most recently the Rockets. Caboclo put up solid numbers in Summer League, where he averaged 12.0 points and 6.4 rebounds in five games.
It’s going to be an uphill battle for both 26-year-olds as they look to make the Celtics roster. But they should at least have a chance of sticking onto the league. The Celtics don’t need them to be stars, just serviceable depth options who could contribute once they’re into the game.
Of note, curious to see what happens to Justin Jackson, who played for the Celtics in Summer League, over the next few weeks. He had a small stint in Boston last season on a 10-day contract during the COVID-19 chaos, only for him to catch the virus himself. But Jackson had a solid Summer League showing, putting up 15.0 points and 3.8 rebounds in his four games played. He’s not signed yet, but Jackson could be someone worth looking out for.
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