Craft your 2022-23 Celtics Roster – (20-Man Off-Season)

[hugepatsfan]

I still think Devonte' Graham would make a significant difference for this team's playoff rotation. What's been our weakness? Turnovers. Another ball handler is the biggest need for me as the 8th man in the playoff rotation. We need someone who can come in and do what Pritchard does to hit some open shots, but also be able to handle the ball some. I'm talking someone who plays 15 (or less minutes) on most nights, probably never more than 20. Playoff rotation I mean, not regular season.

I know Graham will be unpopular here because he is a short PG, but again, it's 15-20 minutes at most for the playoffs. Pritchard is already giving us close to those minutes and the defense manages to deal with it. Graham also had a bad year in NO. He didn't adjust well. But Josh Richardson has bad years in PHI and DAL. In our system, he was able to get back to his MIA level. I think he could have a similar rejuvenation here.

I tried to find some season review articles from his CHA years, with some blurbs that could highlight things I like about his potential fit here:

https://lonzowire.usatoday.com/2021/06/13/2020-21-charlotte-hornets-player-review-devonte-graham/

This article talks about his 2020-21 season. That was the year Hayward signed and Ball was drafted. So he became more of an off ball player. Obviously with Tatum and Brown here, you're always going to have a lot of off-ball possessions. This highlights some of how he thrived in that...

1) "After dominating the ball and the offense in a breakout sophomore season, Graham shifted to a secondary playmaker this season and flourished all the same. His efficiency rose, his 3-point shooting increased and he was as clutch as ever for the Hornets."

2) "Known for his offense, Graham also graded out as a plus defender by nearly all metrics this season. ESPN’s Real Plus-Minus (RPM) measures a player’s estimated on-court impact on team defensive performance, measured in points allowed per 100 defensive possessions. Graham’s Defensive RPM of 1.97 was seventh-highest among point guards."

3) "With Ball and Hayward coming in as playmakers, Graham saw less of the ball and more open 3-pointers. And yet, he still excelled by finishing in the 97th percentile as a spot-up shooter."

4) "Every advanced stat loved Graham in 2021. He was first on the team in net rating, first in defensive rating, sixth in the league among point guards in RPM and 14th in the league in individual net rating in clutch situations."

https://www.atthehive.com/2020/6/26/21301165/2019-20-charlotte-hornets-report-card-devonte-graham

This is for his 2019-20 season. His role was different that year. He was much more of an on ball player. So lots of the blurbs here highlight more in that role...

1) "To put Graham’s combination of points and assists in context, only seven players were averaging at least 18 points and seven assists per game when the NBA suspended its season - James Harden, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Damian Lillard, Trae Young, Kyle Lowry, and our very own Devonte’ Graham. That’s great company to keep."

2) "When the NBA suspended the season Devonte’ ranked third in the league in three-point attempts (585), fifth in three-point makes (218), and fourth in assists (471). His assists are especially impressive given the Hornets play with the NBA’s slowest pace at 96.2 and he isn’t exactly surrounded by elite scorers. Defying all expectations, Devonte’ Graham has suddenly become one of the better creators in the game."

3) "That said, despite the heavy offensive load he carries Devonte’ does give consistent effort on defense. He’s not a great defender, but he’s also not a complete liability."




There are definitely some really bad flaws with him. He's very weak shooting inside. Defensively, he's one of those guys you have to cover for some, even though he's not awful. But what he can do is handle the ball and make plays for others at a high level and spot up shoot. I think that makes for a really good complimentary guy to log 15-20 minutes/game for us in the playoffs. Put him in that Pritchard role we have now and not only can he help bring that shotmaking from the outside, but when Tatum or Brown are struggling with the on-ball pressure he gives you someone who can alleviate some of that pressure because he's more of a pure ball handler than Smart or White are at the guard spots.

Again, I'm talking about someone we can get into our TPE for free. No assets going out. And it's a guy I'm looking to fill a 15-20 minute at most playoff rotation spot. So I certainly understand he's not a world beater. But I think he does things well that we're deficient in and compliments our players well. I think it'd be a worthwhile addition.

[CelticFaninLBC]

The players in the $10-$17 million range, who are likely available, and that can fit into the TPE is a pretty meh list.

Marcus Morris - $16.37m
Malik Beasley - $15.45m
Doug McDermott- $13.75m
Luke Kennard- $13.74m
Kelly Olynyk - $12.8m
Josh Richardson- $12.2m
Terrance Ross - 11.5m

The best case is getting someone like Beasley or Ross and then using their contract during the season to get someone like Harrison Barnes, who can fill the third scorer role.

[Fencer reregistered]

In the articles about the Cs definitely keeping Al, have any writers bothered to make the obvious point that not keeping him would save very little money?

E.g., do they do the arithmetic for people?

[hugepatsfan]

The players in the $10-$17 million range, who are likely available, and that can fit into the TPE is a pretty meh list.

Marcus Morris - $16.37m
Malik Beasley - $15.45m
Doug McDermott- $13.75m
Luke Kennard- $13.74m
Kelly Olynyk - $12.8m
Josh Richardson- $12.2m
Terrance Ross - 11.5m

The best case is getting someone like Beasley or Ross and then using their contract during the season to get someone like Harrison Barnes, who can fill the third scorer role.

How about this...

Trade #1...

LAC gives: F Marcus Morris, G Terrence Mann
LAC gets: G Malcolm Brogdon

Why? They move some of their excess depth on the wing and at forward for a legitimate starting PG.

IND gives: G Malcolm Brogdon
IND gets: G Terrence Mann

Why? Move Brogdon for a young wing that fits better with Haliburton.

BOS gives: nothing
BOS gets: F Marcus Morris

Why? Get a contract to match salaries for trade #2 below.

Trade #2...

Utah gets: F Marcus Morris
BOS gets: F Bojan Bogdonovich

Utah swaps an offensive forward for a defensive one to address some deficiencies there. We get a very good scorer on an expiring contract.

[BK_2020]

Marcus Morris is a terrible defender.

[165bows]

Marcus Morris is a terrible defender.

Plus he’s going to be making $17M when he’s 34. I wouldn’t take that dude for free.

[CelticFaninLBC]

The players in the $10-$17 million range, who are likely available, and that can fit into the TPE is a pretty meh list.

Marcus Morris - $16.37m
Malik Beasley - $15.45m
Doug McDermott- $13.75m
Luke Kennard- $13.74m
Kelly Olynyk - $12.8m
Josh Richardson- $12.2m
Terrance Ross - 11.5m

The best case is getting someone like Beasley or Ross and then using their contract during the season to get someone like Harrison Barnes, who can fill the third scorer role.

How about this...

Trade #1...

LAC gives: F Marcus Morris, G Terrence Mann
LAC gets: G Malcolm Brogdon

Why? They move some of their excess depth on the wing and at forward for a legitimate starting PG.

IND gives: G Malcolm Brogdon
IND gets: G Terrence Mann

Why? Move Brogdon for a young wing that fits better with Haliburton.

BOS gives: nothing
BOS gets: F Marcus Morris

Why? Get a contract to match salaries for trade #2 below.

Trade #2...

Utah gets: F Marcus Morris
BOS gets: F Bojan Bogdonovich

Utah swaps an offensive forward for a defensive one to address some deficiencies there. We get a very good scorer on an expiring contract.

Can't see Utah wanting Morris and the extra year on his contract compared to Bojan.

[chrisab123]

In a normal world you keep RW3 no matter what. However, he is very injury prone and while he's excellent when healthy its really difficult to trust him over an entire season. I'm not saying I'd trade him for Ayton, although if Phoenix did S&T Ayton and a 1st that might be good enough. But if Washington comes to you and says send them Theis RW3 and filler for a S&T Beal then you have to at least strongly consider it.

[Larry_Russell]

I believe that a starting PF is what is needed.
After that is a backup SF
And a 3rd String PG and a 3rd string Center (Vet mins)


Theis
Nesmith
Future pick (s)
Large TPE
MLE

PG: Smart/Pritchard/Vet min
SG: Brown/White/Stauskis
SF: Tatum/XXX/Hauser
PF: XXX/Grant/Morgan
C: Timelord/Horford/Vet Min

TPEs
17.1 Million
9.7 Million
6.9 Million
5.8 million

Salary
Theis and Nesmith can bring back as much as 15.7 million in salary


So the question becomes...who fits the bill
Available Free Agent PGs
Mills
Wright
Tyus Jones
Rubio
Burke
Holiday

Centers
Bryant
RLopez
Whiteside
Drummond
Hartenstein
Biyombo

Easy enough to get those 2 positions.


Choosing the right PF is going to be a hardest part.

[CelticFaninLBC]

Can see the following:

Per the rumor of Nesmith getting dealt for a 2nd rounder, https://heavy.com/sports/boston-celtics/aaron-nesmith-nba-draft-trade-rumors/

Nesmith is dealt to OKC for a 2022 2nd rounder and future 2nd.

Stevens uses the TPE to acquire either Malik Beasley or Josh Richardson.

A veteran big like Jeff Green or Thad Young signs for the MLE.

Stevens looks to move Beasley or Richardson later on for Harrison Barnes or Bojan Bogdonovich.

[BK_2020]

Can see the following:

Per the rumor of Nesmith getting dealt for a 2nd rounder, https://heavy.com/sports/boston-celtics/aaron-nesmith-nba-draft-trade-rumors/

Nesmith is dealt to OKC for a 2022 2nd rounder and future 2nd.

Stevens uses the TPE to acquire either Malik Beasley or Josh Richardson.

A veteran big like Jeff Green or Thad Young signs for the MLE.

Stevens looks to move Beasley or Richardson later on for Harrison Barnes or Bojan Bogdonovich.

There is no rumor of Nesmith getting dealt. Someone said well the Celtics don't have a pick so maybe they trade Nesmith? That's literally it.

[Yabusele_arrow]

In my mind, the players that will come back next year:
PG: Smart/Pritchard
SG: Brown/White/Sauce
SF: Tatum/Hauser
PF: Horford/Grant/Morgan
C:Williams

Biggest roster holes are a backup wing and a center, and overall a lack of one more high level offensive option/shot creator..

How I would want to attack the offseason:

Trade 1: TPE (Hernangomez one?) for any filler that would appeal to Utah worth atleast 5-6M

Trade 2: Trade that filler + Theis + Nesmith + first (?) for Bojan Bogdanovic

Boston does it to fill in that backup big wing role that can serve as a high level offensive option while being serviceable on defense with his size. Utah decides to get some assets that fits better on Mitchell's timeline for an expiring. Not sure of Bojan's value but decided to be more conservative

Free Agent 1 (Big Center) - Want to add some size behind Rob-Will, Biyombo/Javale Mcgee/Dieng should all be solid cheap options and 1-2 of them will be needed. If you decide to go more expensive maybe Isaiah Hartenstein/Bamba for the Tax MLE (not sure if they come that cheap though)

Free Agent 2 (Another playmaker) - Another Smart/White type guard could be used, due to the glaring need for additional playmaking when building around a Tatum/Brown duo and a need to stick with a guard with more size/defense over PP at times to keep with the defensive scheme. Options here include: Delon Wright/Ricky Rubio/Cory Joseph

Potential Final Roster:
PG: Smart/Wright/Pritchard
SG: Brown/White/Sauce
SF: Tatum/Bogdanovic/Hauser
PF: Horford/Grant/Morgan
C: Williams/McGee/Dieng

That truly seems like a complete roster.

At C: three solid defensive guys that can handle the larger Centers in the league with rim-running upside on offense (Williams/McGee)

At PF: two 3&D bigs that allow the Celtics to have a **** ton of flexibility

At Wing: three players that should carry the largest offensive loads. Tatum also covers the best wing, and JB takes that assignment when Tatum is off. Bogdan would be a bit more hidden yet is not a liability on that end

At Guard: Got three options in Smart/White/Wright that can all be good defenders at the point of attack, while also handling playmaking responsibilities with the downside of inconsistent shooting

Shooters: Kept a lot of the shooting on the third string for a punch of offense if needed with PP/hopefully Hauser

[hugepatsfan]

Boring... but how about this for the Fournier TPE:

Terrence Ross (ORL). He's $11.5M expiring
Torrey Craig (Phoenix). He's $5.2M expiring

Split the TPE and acquire both of them before it expires.

Both are functional rotation wings. Add competition for Pritchard and Nesmith. Gives you $16.7M of expiring salary heading into the deadline. Saves the MLE so you can make the biggest offer to your favorite buyout candidate.

Smart / White
Brown / Ross / Pritchard
Tatum / Craig / Nesmith / Hauser
Horford / G Williams
R Williams / Theis

Two spots left. One spot would need to go for a veteran big man. Then maybe a veteran PG with the other. Assuming they're ok letting Fitts/Morgan/Stauskas go.

[neno]

Some Tpe veterans non sign n trade
17.1 Josh hart,Richaun Holmes or devote graham
6.9 tpe on Rudy Gay
9.7 Jae Crowder or Dario saric
5.8 trey lyles or Taj Gibson

[hugepatsfan]

The Warriors being a team that Pritchard can play against was a huge impact last night. That extra shooter on the floor was HUGE. Love Pritchard, but I think it's always going to be a battle to play him vs team that have guys like Jimmy Butler or Durant or Giannis who can target him on a switch. He's a good defender against guards, but there's just little he can do when the wings shoot over the top of him.

From a team building standpoint this offseason, that's my big takeaway. Need an 8th guy in the rotation who can shoot and space the floor but be universally playable across matchups. That might be the last infinity stone for this team.

[BK_2020]

The Warriors being a team that Pritchard can play against was a huge impact last night. That extra shooter on the floor was HUGE. Love Pritchard, but I think it's always going to be a battle to play him vs team that have guys like Jimmy Butler or Durant or Giannis who can target him on a switch. He's a good defender against guards, but there's just little he can do when the wings shoot over the top of him.

From a team building standpoint this offseason, that's my big takeaway. Need an 8th guy in the rotation who can shoot and space the floor but be universally playable across matchups. That might be the last infinity stone for this team.

So Pritchard was targeted on 6 of 11 possessions when he came in in the first half, and 5 of the first 10 possessions when he came in in the 2nd half. Only ended up with 14 points on these 11 possessions but would've been more if the Dubs didn't miss open shots and make unforced turnovers.
He did have 2 nice defensive plays, the 1st being a deflection of Poole's dribble, and then stopping Curry trying to blow by him without a pick.

[165bows]

The Warriors being a team that Pritchard can play against was a huge impact last night. That extra shooter on the floor was HUGE. Love Pritchard, but I think it's always going to be a battle to play him vs team that have guys like Jimmy Butler or Durant or Giannis who can target him on a switch. He's a good defender against guards, but there's just little he can do when the wings shoot over the top of him.

From a team building standpoint this offseason, that's my big takeaway. Need an 8th guy in the rotation who can shoot and space the floor but be universally playable across matchups. That might be the last infinity stone for this team.

Get on the Delon Wright/Joe Ingles train with me bro!

[ConstableGeneva]

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[hugepatsfan]

The Warriors being a team that Pritchard can play against was a huge impact last night. That extra shooter on the floor was HUGE. Love Pritchard, but I think it's always going to be a battle to play him vs team that have guys like Jimmy Butler or Durant or Giannis who can target him on a switch. He's a good defender against guards, but there's just little he can do when the wings shoot over the top of him.

From a team building standpoint this offseason, that's my big takeaway. Need an 8th guy in the rotation who can shoot and space the floor but be universally playable across matchups. That might be the last infinity stone for this team.

Get on the Delon Wright/Joe Ingles train with me bro!

Haha like them both, but not sure for this role.

Ingles' defense was getting roasted by Jazz fans before his injury. Now off of that and at his age, not sure he's going to be playable defensively. But he's certainly worth a look for the vet minimum.

Wright I like a lot, but feel he's more of a Smart/White type of guy. His shooting is solid the last two years but I kind of want to lean into that skill a little bit more. But Wright brings ballhandling/playmaking and defense too so certainly nothing to scoff at. I'd like a little more of a shooter, even if I have to sacrifice some other stuff. But I'll take good players however the come!

[BK_2020]

A bias choice but Ty Jerome might be a good reclamation project. Good size, short arms, can handle the ball, pass and shoot decently. Had one good season sandwiched in between two bad seasons.

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