The Boston Celtics made a minor move getting Shane Larkin, but it could make a big difference for Marcus Smart
The Boston Celtics knew that they would be transforming their second unit this season. With no returning members in the front court, Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown are the only two prominent returning members, and both of them are still a top candidate to be a starter on opening day.
The Celtics are on the brink of finalizing their final roster spots, and have made one of their final moves in bringing over Shane Larkin on a one year contract. No, this is not going to change this franchise. In fact, it may be the most inconsequential move of the offseason.
That being said, it is another option in an area where the Celtics are starting to get thin, and gives Stevens more freedom with Smart.
The Celtics are still unsure as to who will be starting next to Isaiah Thomas. Smart makes the most sense to replace Avery Bradley’s spot. Unfortunately, he is the only trusted ball handler on the second unit, and taking him away could do more damage than good.
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Insert Larkin and the Celtics expand their lineup options. First of all, they need to make sure Larkin can run this offense. If that is the case, and Stevens is comfortable with Larkin and Terry Rozier doing all the second unit ball handling, then that opens up a lot more with Smart.
Even if it is not in the actual starting lineup. Stevens loves to play Smart in small ball lineups, and that will always take him away from the second unit. Stevens can feel a lot more comfortable giving Smart more minutes with the starters if he knows he can have Larkin run the offense.
One thing that the Celtics should like with Larkin is that he is not not strictly a score first or pass first point guard. The Celtics need ball handlers that play on and off the ball, and if Larkin can bring some of his success from Europe to the Celtics, then he will be able to help score and instigate the ball movement that is lost without Smart.
Larkin left millions of dollars on the table to sign a one year contract with the Celtics. He is taking a chance, but he will have an opportunity to prove himself. More so than being a good shooter, the Celtics need Larkin to be a quick learner, so he can help bring out the supreme talent from Brown and Jayson Tatum.
They do not need Larkin to dominate in any way. What they need is for him to facilitate for his teammates, and to make sure he and his teammates are always comfortable.
There is a good chance that Larkin will never get a serious role, and he will be stuck to the bench as a desperate injury situation or garbage time option.
What the Celtics are doing here is getting a candidate that can help increase the options with Smart, without having to spend even the veteran’s minimum. The Celtics have no flexibility with their cap, and going overseas is the best way for them to find that player that will be trying to prove himself once again in the NBA.
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Larkin is probably going to end up being the least important move of this offseason. But, if he can find a way to have an impact and be a trusted ball handler for the second unit, then his real impact will be on what he opens up for Smart, who can do a lot of damage in a lot of different roles that just a ball handler.