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How the Boston Celtics Should Handle Tyler Zeller

By Joshua Bateman

Feb 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller (44) slam dunks the ball in front of New York Knicks center Robin Lopez (8) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. The Celtics defeated the Knicks 97-89. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller (44) slam dunks the ball in front of New York Knicks center Robin Lopez (8) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. The Celtics defeated the Knicks 97-89. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Celtics are expected to have a big offseason that should include completely revamping their front court. The Celtics are expected to see one of the most cluttered front courts in the NBA open up but they are going to have a difficult time figuring out what the best course of action with Tyler Zeller is.

Just a year ago, Zeller was coming off the best season of his young career, and his offensive potential made him one of the most intriguing options for the Celtics’ front court. His defensive liabilities were expected to improve but his ability to consistently hit mid range shots made him the opening day starter this season. Unfortunately, that is where the positivity ended this season for Zeller.

Zeller saw his shooting percentage dip from 55% to 47.6% this season, and that alone was enough to keep Zeller off the court. The most frustrating aspect of Zeller’s regression is how good he was in the mid range just a season ago. Finishing 60% on shots form 10-16 feet from the rim is great by any standards and made Zeller a valuable asset of the Celtics’ offense. Then, this season, his shooting from that range plummeted to a mind boggling 19%.

Zeller lost his edge on the offensive end and he made absolutely no progress on the defensive end. Zeller took no time getting embarrassed by a rookie on the defensive end to start out this season and he never did anything to suggest he could become a factor protecting the rim or rebounding the ball.

Zeller has now put the Celtics in a position where they may need to base their decision on a anomalous season. The question then becomes, was the 60% or the 19% the anomaly, and if Zeller cannot return to that 60% then he will need to do a lot more on the defensive end to make up for it.

As they stand now, the Celtics may be in a position where they can hold onto Zeller, and give him another opportunity to prove his worth. Unless the Celtics go out and sign multiple free agents for their front court, it may not be too much of a hinderance to see if Zeller can finally develop.

The problem, however, is what happens if the Celtics fill up their front court with free agents and rookies. Zeller has shown promise, but his lack of defensive development and offensive regression could cost him a roster spot once the level of talent increases the way the Celtics are hoping.

Apr 28, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller (left) and guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the second half in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller (left) and guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the second half in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Unless the Celtics absolutely have to, there is no sense is cutting ties with Zeller. If they can afford to keep him on the roster then he deserves another chance to make up for the disaster that was this season for him. Money is not the issue with Zeller, it is roster space that is the greatest risk of taking him out of Boston. Physcial development alone will help Zeller on the defensive end, and all he has to do is return to his offensive form from two seasons ago, and he can be a contributor for the Celtics.

Zeller’s offensive upside is worth keeping around, but not at the cost of a solid free agent or a promising draft pick. Given the situation of the Celtics’ front court, they will either be drastically improving the quality of the players, or they will finally be alleviating the clutter. If the clutter is gone and they have the space, then Zeller should continue to stick around if the Celtics. If however, the quality of players improves enough, then they are no longer in a position where they can wait around for Zeller.

The Celtics have a great collection of young players that have not reached their potential, and they need to make sure they properly pick which players they should keep around while they develop. For Zeller, everything hinges on their activity this offseason, but in either case, he will not get many more chances.

It is only a matter of time before the quality of the Celtics’ front court improves enough and when that time comes Zeller will need to have proven that he is worth a roster spot. Hopefully, the Celtics and Zeller will be able to identify last year as the anomaly, and he can get back on track to where he was the previous two years.

In addition to the 60% from mid range the season before the last, Zeller also shot over 50% in that area the season before. Right out of the gate, Zeller was a weapon with his ability to finish in the mid range, and even in those earlier years, he had one of the stronger rebounding percentages on the Celtics.

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The Celtics knew that Zeller was not going to be good enough without development and now that he has gone backwards, it may be too late. It is far too difficult to gauge what the Celtics’ front court will look like next season at this point, but if they are as busy as most are expecting, Zeller may need to look for his opportunity elsewhere.

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