Boston Celtics Roster & Projected Lineup 2016-17

After two seasons under head coach Brad Stevens, it was clear that the Boston Celtics were making strides. But what hadn’t occurred was a playoff series win, with the Celtics being eliminated in the first round both years, and the addition of a bonafide star. Of course guard Isaiah Thomas earned his first All-Star Game appearance last season, but what the Celtics hoped to add to the mix in free agency was a star capable of helping Thomas carry the load.

While they missed out on Kevin Durant, Boston was successful in its pursuit of forward/center Al Horford. Horford, who made four All-Star Game appearances during his time in Atlanta, gives Boston a big man who can score both with his back to the basket and in the mid-range game, and he’s also proven himself to be an adept passer. Horford’s arrival should help Boston from a spacing standpoint offensively, which will be key for a team that struggled with its perimeter shooting a season ago.

Boston shot 33.5 percent from three last season, which ranked 28th in the NBA. But even with this issue the Celtics were still fifth in the NBA in offensive efficiency, a credit to players such as Thomas and Avery Bradley (they led six players who averaged double figures in scoring) and Stevens’ system. If Boston can find consistent perimeter shooting, which is where the James Young/R.J. Hunter battle may come into play, they’ll be even tougher to defend than they were a season ago. And that will be the key for a team looking to advance deep into the NBA Playoffs.

Here’s a look at the roster:

Celtics Projected Starting Lineup

G: Isaiah Thomas (22.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 6.2 apg) After averaging 16.4 points per game in 2014-15, Thomas produced the best season of his young NBA career in 2015-16. Thomas shot 42.8 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from three, percentages that stand to improve with the addition of Horford to the lineup. Thomas ranked 11th in offensive win shares (7.2) and 16th in overall win shares (9.7) last season.

G: Avery Bradley (15.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.1 apg) Losing Bradley to a hamstring injury late in Game 1 of their playoff series against the Hawks proved to be a crippling blow for the Celtics, as they missed his production on both ends of the floor. Bradley is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, good enough to merit some early Defensive Player of the Year chatter.

F: Jae Crowder (14.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg) Crowder’s proven to be a quality addition to the Celtics since arriving via trade from Dallas during the 2014-15 season. Crowder made 73 starts last season, and he’s entrenched as the starting small forward going into the 2015-16 season.

F: Amir Johnson (7.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg) Johnson, who joined the Celtics after playing six seasons in Toronto, has been a dependable option at the four. Not asked to do a great deal in the way of scoring, Johnson split time with the likes of Kelly Olynyk and Jonas Jerebko a season ago. And that will likely be the case again in 2016-17.

C/F: Al Horford (15.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 3.2 apg) While Jared Sullinger was a double-digit scorer in the front court last season, his offensive impact pales in comparison to what Horford can do for Boston. Horford’s skill set should open things up for the Celtics offensively when it comes to finding quality perimeter shots, and he’s sound defensively as well.

---

Celtics Projected Bench

G: Marcus Smart (9.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.0 apg) Smart’s a hard-nosed guard who doesn’t back down from a challenge. One of the first options off the bench for the Celtics a season ago, Smart shot just 34.8 percent from the field. He’s one player who will have to make some strides offensively this season.

G: Terry Rozier (1.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg) Rozier played in just 39 regular season games as a rookie, but he managed to do some good things while on the court as the team’s third point guard. Given the number of veteran guards on the roster, making a significant jump in minutes will be tough for Rozier. That being said, he should manage to strengthen his position within the rotation.

F: Jaylen Brown (Rookie) Boston used its lottery selection, which they received from Brooklyn as part of the Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett trade, to draft the 6-foot-8 forward from Cal. Brown isn’t a great perimeter shooter, but he was able to use his physicality and athleticism to make plays at the college level. He’ll provide additional depth at the three behind Crowder.

F: Gerald Green (8.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg) Green arrived in Boston by way of Miami, where he played 22.6 minutes per contest in 69 appearances (14 starts). An athletic wing, Green will be in the mix for minutes behind starter Jae Crowder.

F: Jonas Jerebko (4.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg) Jerebko averaged just over 15 minutes per contest in 78 regular season games last season. At 6-foot-10, while also possessing the ability to step out and play on the perimeter, Jerebko can be used at either forward spot depending on the lineup Stevens chooses to use.

C/F: Kelly Olynyk (10.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg) Olynyk is another big who can be used in pick and pop situations, as he shot 40.5 percent from beyond the arc last season with nearly 38 percent of his field goal attempts being three-pointers. He’ll be used in a similar role this season as the first big man off the bench.

C/F Tyler Zeller (6.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg) Zeller posted his numbers in just under 12 minutes per game, shooting 47.8 percent from the field. He’ll give Boston another active body in the post,

---

Other Players in Celtics Training Camp

G Demetrius Jackson: Taken by the Celtics in the second round of June’s NBA Draft, Jackson will have his work cut out for him when it comes to making the 15-man roster. And even if he does, don’t be shocked to see Jackson spend some time with the Celtics’ D-League affiliate in Maine.

G/F James Young: Since being drafted in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft, Young hasn’t been able to get much done in the NBA. He’ll need to show some consistency in preseason, with it most likely being a case of “either/or” in regards who begins the season with the Celtics between he and Hunter.

F Jordan Mickey: Mickey only played in 16 games as a rookie last season, spending more time in the D-League. From a numbers standpoint he’s got a good chance of being on the opening night roster, but minutes may be tough to come by.

---

Celtics Coaching Staff

Head coach: Brad Stevens (4th season; 113-133 career record; 48-34 2015-16 record.)

Assistant coaches: Jamie Young, Jay Larrañaga, Jerome Allen, Micah Shrewsberry, Walter McCarty

UPDATE (10/20): The Celtics waived guards Damion Lee and Marcus Georges-Hunt and forward Jalen Jones.

UPDATE (10/21): The Celtics waived forward Ben Bentil and signed forward Ryan Kelly.

UPDATE (10/22): The Celtics waived forward Ryan Kelly.

UPDATE (10/24): The Celtics waived guard R.J. Hunter.

0 Comments