An already thin Boston Celtics backcourt looks to be on the verge of losing another body. According to The Athletic’s Jared Weiss, Tremont Waters has been training away from the team back home in Connecticut and is “looking for more of an opportunity to break into a rotation elsewhere in the NBA this upcoming season.”
Waters, who is on a two-way deal, originally joined the Celtics as the 51st overall selection in the 2019 draft out of LSU. Splitting time with the Maine Celtics (formerly the Red Claws), the 5-foot-10-inch guard excelled in the NBA G League, taking home Rookie of the Year honors in 2019-20 after averaging 18.0 points, 7.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.89 steals in 36 games for Maine. However, he’s failed to find similar success with the Celtics.
Over his first two seasons in Beantown, Waters’ minutes have been few and sporadic, averaging 9.6 minutes per game in 37 regular-season contests. During this time, the 23-year-old New Haven native has averaged 3.8 points and 2.1 assists. While his minutes saw a marginal dip this season, his offensive production did see a slight bump across the board. He raised his field goal percentage by nearly 12.0%, while his 39.5% 3-point percentage was far superior to his 16.7% conversion rate the season prior.
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Latest on Tacko Fall & Celtics’ Guard Depth
Similar to Waters, center Tacko Fall is a restricted free agent and also entering the final year of eligibility as a two-way player. Per Weiss, the seven-footer has continued his summer training program at the team’s facility. As SB Nation’s Celtics Blog highlighted, were either player re-upped, they’d become the first player to play three consecutive seasons for the same franchise on a two-way contract since being introduced in the NBA in 2017.
Despite the departure of Kemba Walker earlier this offseason, Waters’ roster spot has continued to be up in the air. Currently, Waters is joined by Marcus Smart, Payton Pritchard and Carsen Edwards as the only point guards on the current roster. However, that should almost certainly change this summer.
Expect president Brad Stevens to dip his hand in the guard pool more than a few times this summer, whether via the team’s multiple traded player exceptions or with their $5.9 million taxpayer midlevel exception.
Yam Madar Turning Heads?
While Yam Madar and the Celtics still need to hammer out a contract buyout with his current club, Hapoel Tel Aviv, the stashed guard is expected to be part of Boston’s summer league roster, per Weiss.
“Madar spent a week at the Celtics facility for his orientation with the organization and got in a few workouts to show the new coaching staff and Brad Stevens where his game is at,” Weiss noted. “Madar turned heads with his playmaking ability, but will need to continue to bulk up, to show he can still play his style against NBA physicality at Vegas.”
The hype surrounding Madar has been otherworldly and arguably a bit premature. Still just 20 years old, Madar needs to prove he belongs on the NBA hardwood before we cement him as a future lead guard. However, don’t think the abundance of fanfare will get to Madar’s head anytime soon.
“I don’t know anything in my life that has come guaranteed,” he told The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach. “Every place I’m coming, I’m coming to work and coming to earn my place on the team. That’s something I know how to do. Working hard is something I know how to do.”
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