Three Summer Leaguers That Could Start for the Boston Celtics
When you look at Futz, you see the consensus number one overall pick, with transcendent and transformative potential. If you look at the upside of the kid then you would be crazy to want him to come off the bench. When you take into account that he is still a teenager that has never seen even decent college competition, you realize that his rookie season may not be as smooth as many are predicting.
As of right now, there is no chance that Fultz is the planned starter. More than anything else with Stevens, rookies need to earn their roles, and prove that they are going to buy into what needs to be done for the team to be at their best.
That being said, summer league is going to be one of the first steps for Fultz. Summer league is going to be his biggest test to that point, and it will finally give the Celtics a chance to see if he is ready to come in and be comfortable with what the Celtics are trying to do.
Fultz will be playing with the ball in his hands in summer league, and he will not got another opportunity to have this kind of freedom. If Fultz ends of being as talented as he is being universally touted right now, then Stevens could see enough ways he can help in the summer league, to give him that early chance in the starting lineup.
The only way this happens is if Fultz has a perfect summer league. He needs to prove that, not only will he be effective with the ball in his hands, but that he will also be able to control the offense and get the ball moving the way they need to be great. Of course, that has to come on top of stellar shooting and, most importantly, a presence on defense.
Keep in mind that starting likely means playing alongside Thomas, which would also require Fultz to be willing and able to switch around, playing the one and the two.
Do not expect Fultz to be starting at opening day unless a trade is made beforehand, but if Bradley starts to show any kind of regression, then Fultz could steal that position before the All Star break.