Evaluating the Boston Celtics’ options for their 15th roster spot

Justin Jackson. Juwan Morgan. Luke Kornet. Vincent Poirier. Guerschon Yabusele.

These are the final 5 “fifteenth males” on the Boston Celtics.

Of the group, just one has been in a position to stick in any form of trend, and that’s Kornet, who performed in 69 video games for the Celtics this previous season in his return to the membership.

The takeaway? The fifteenth man on the roster often doesn’t matter. It’s usually a throwaway participant who offers a strong locker room presence, a selected talent, or is youthful and may be developed.

However whereas Boston’s historical past of fifteenth males doesn’t depart a lot hope for them discovering any form of contribution, different groups have discovered success.

Simply have a look at the Golden State Warriors. Gary Payton II was moments away from accepting a role as one of the team’s video coordinators earlier than he accepted a 10-day deal to be the ultimate man on the roster. These days, he’s making almost $9 million a season, and in 2022, he performed a big function in Golden State’s championship run.

The Miami Heat introduced on Caleb Martin on a two-way contract two seasons in the past, and he slowly grew into one in every of their most essential contributors.

In every of these conditions, the staff had alternatives to dole out for the gamers. Golden State utilized Payton’s defensive presence and expertise as a cutter, whereas the Warmth’s bench is molded by undrafted expertise, paving the way in which for Martin to contribute.

There gained’t be many alternatives in Boston, as they’ve a stacked roster with loads of younger gamers who would obtain minutes over any fifteenth man they signal.

That mentioned, there are a few spots the place the Celtics might use a hair extra depth. Behind their big-man trio of Kristaps Porzingis, Robert Williams, and Al Horford, Kornet is left because the lone massive man. And with the harm and age considerations of the previous three, including one other massive may very well be helpful.

The wing place additionally poses an intriguing quirk, because the Celtics have a positive group of level guards and a positive group of forwards, however not many gamers who slot in between. Does Dalano Banton play up? Can Malcolm Brogdon sustain with wings on the defensive finish? Can Sam Hauser and Oshae Brissett play down? Are the Celtics comfy rolling out rookie Jordan Walsh for backup minutes on the wing? On the very least, having one other man in that spot may very well be an insurance coverage plan. Add in the truth that Justin Champagnie’s contract is non-guaranteed, and having an additional playable man on board could be helpful.

There are a bunch of various teams a fifteenth man might match into, in order that’s how we’ll break it down right here.

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Group 1 – Why aren’t these guys signed?

Kelly Oubre

Does Oubre await a staff to supply him an MLE? Would they’ve thrown him that provide already in the event that they had been ? Each are legitimate questions. But when groups are certainly out on Oubre, he may very well be a positive candidate for Boston to focus on ought to he be compelled to accept the minimal. He’d give them a pleasant scoring punch, and when taking part in alongside the best group, he’s a strong three-point shooter.

Christian Wooden

It appears as if groups across the league are out on Wooden this summer time, as experiences have indicated he’s solely obtained minimal contract provides. The defensive considerations are definitely there, however Wooden may very well be an honest selection for a third-string massive.

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Group 2 – Legitimately intriguing choices

Trendon Watford

This can be essentially the most intriguing choice of all the record. The 22-year-old was waived by the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this summer time however put up strong numbers this previous yr. He’s a robust however undersized massive who might give the Celtics professional middle minutes behind their core three guys.

Terence Davis

Rumors of Boston’s potential curiosity in Davis swirled firstly of the offseason, however there hasn’t been a lot buzz since. He’s an undersized wing who offers a strong scoring punch and respectable three-point taking pictures.

Justise Winslow

Damage considerations might get in the way in which of this concept, however Winslow’s body and underrated playmaking might make him an intriguing choice to present Boston some plug-and-play minutes on the wing spot. He’s not an important shooter, however he does nearly all the things else pretty nicely.

Group 3 – Take-a-chance gamers

Hamidou Diallo

Diallo has been unable to stay wherever within the league up up to now, however his wild athleticism retains him round. At 24 years previous, the clock is ticking for him to discover a function, and with the Celtics, he might look to lock in on the defensive finish and hope to capitalize on cuts on offense. The dearth of taking pictures makes the match questionable, although.

Frank Ntilikina

Like Diallo, time is working out for Ntilikina to discover a spot within the NBA, particularly after he failed to stay with the Dallas Mavericks. That being mentioned, the 24-year-old’s defensive presence might assist him play as much as the wing spot and act as a defensive specialist for the Celtics in the event that they wished to take an opportunity.

Udoka Azubuike

One in every of Boston’s Summer time League guys, Azubuike regarded a bit sluggish at occasions, however he has an important NBA body. If the Celtics can work with him on his foot velocity and positioning, the 23-year-old may very well be a strong developmental big-man choice.

Group 4 – Something left within the tank?

Bismack Biyombo

There’s an opportunity Biyombo deserves to be on the “legitimately intriguing choices” record, however the truth that the Phoenix Suns didn’t deliver him again is odd. He’s been strong for them the previous two seasons, but they let him stroll after they most wanted depth. Having Biyombo play behind Williams on the middle spot wouldn’t be a horrible concept if he nonetheless has sufficient athleticism left.

Danny Inexperienced

Bear in mind when everybody was upset that the Celtics misplaced out on the “Danny Inexperienced sweepstakes” to the Cleveland Cavaliers final season? Effectively, right here’s their likelihood to make up for it, ought to they select to take action. At worst, Inexperienced would deliver a veteran presence with out taking part in actual minutes, and at greatest, he’s in a position to make some photographs.

JaMychal Inexperienced

Inexperienced quietly performed an honest function for the Warriors this previous season, typically eclipsing Jonathan Kuminga within the rotation. He’s a bit undersized for the middle spot, however he’s inclined to a couple scorching taking pictures nights. Having him as a fourth or fifth-string massive couldn’t damage.

Terrence Ross

It feels just like the Celtics had been talked about as a vacation spot for Ross for years, so we would as nicely throw him on this record. After lastly leaving the Orlando Magic this previous yr, Ross was strong within the common season for Phoenix, however his taking pictures splits trailed off in his restricted playoff minutes.

Photograph by Brian Babineau/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures

Group 5 – Vibes guys

Blake Griffin

The final word locker room presence. Griffin established himself as a fan and staff favourite in Boston this previous season, as seemingly everybody on the roster had one thing optimistic to say concerning the Bus One Boys chief. Current rumblings have indicated that the staff might wait till proper earlier than the season begins to deliver him again, however it could be a enjoyable addition in the event that they do.

Boban Marjanovic

There’s an opportunity that Marjanovic might give the Celtics restricted middle minutes subsequent to Kornet, however the latter is extra more likely to get important run. If Boston did herald Marjanovic, it could probably be for deep middle depth and, because the group title signifies, the vibes.