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Boston Celtics have backup point guard problems

By Joshua Bateman

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics and Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics react to a play during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game Seven of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics and Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics react to a play during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game Seven of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Boston Celtics might have tough decisions to make with their backup point guard position

The Boston Celtics have Kyrie Irving returning, and that leaves them as one of the only teams in the NBA that has absolutely no starting point guard dilemmas in the NBA. Terry Rozier has already talked about learning behind him again, and Marcus Smart has always embraced a backup role.

That backup spot, however, is a big mystery for the Celtics. First, we need to see if Smart is even going to be with the team. The Celtics clearly value him, and he has made it clear that he wants to stay in Boston.

The unfortunate reality is that basketball is a business, and things may not work out. There are also a lot of different things that will go into the thought process of keeping Smart. The Celtics understand that he is one of the most unique and dominant defenders in the NBA, and he is crucial to so much of what the Celtics want to do.

If, however, the Celtics decide to pay Smart and keep him around, then Rozier’s future has to be brought into question. This season was a great indication as to why you want as much point guard depth as possible. The Celtics want to go deeper than just Irving and one more, but money is a major issue.

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Rozier and Smart are no where close to third string point guards, and the Celtics will not be able to pay either of them like that. If the Celtics could keep their trio of Irving, Rozier and Smart, you better believe they will have the best point guard depth in the NBA.

If, somehow, they can make it work, they will. The Celtics have held onto these players through a lot, and have had opportunities to go other ways in the past. The Celtics need to decide if they can find a way to keep all these guys, but if they don’t, then they have a tough decision to make.

Who knows how the two of their price tags will compare, because Rozier has more time to show his worth to this team. Even if they had concrete price tags, there is such a stark contrast between the two players that you still do not know who they need to keep.

After these playoffs, it feels like the Celtics need more help on offense than defense, and that would favor Rozier. He can be as explosive as anyone on the court, and can manufacture runs by himself.

You can also look at how the Celtics are adding two elite offensive players in Irving and Gordon Hayward, and that could put the emphasis on defense. The Celtics know Irving will not be dominant on defense, so having a great defensive backup could make all the difference.

Even if Rozier can have a more balanced impact, it is possible that Smart would still be a better fit for this roster, because of what he can to do make up for all kinds of defensive liabilities around him.

Smart still has to prove that he can avoid being a liability as a shooter, because he does absolutely everything else at an elite level. Keep in mind, both of them are young, so neither will feel as through they are even finished products yet.

The Celtics are finally at a point where they want to keep all these pieces together, but it is a lot easier said then done when you have to think about paying two backup point guards, who would be starting on many teams in the NBA.

Next: Celtics have to grow from improbable run

The Celtics have seen these players from the very beginning of their career. With all the time they’ve had to evaluate who they are and what they can become, they are in a great position to make the decisions that could mean one of them will be on the outs.

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