The Boston Celtics just wrapped up a season that was filled with high expectations and disappointments. After regressing from a 2018 postseason that saw him break out on the national stage, Rozier might be foreshadowing his own exit.
Boston Celtics four-year guard Terry Rozier stopped by both ESPN’s First Take and Get Up! on Tuesday to converse about what had transpired in the roller coaster-like season that he and the Celtics had just endured. When asked on First Take about the possibility of returning next season if the roster remains intact as it stands, Rozier’s answer more or less was simple: “I might have to go.”
If the Celtics don't make any roster changes this offseason, would @T_Rozzay3 want to keep playing in Boston?
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 14, 2019
Here's his answer: pic.twitter.com/3fJuaORoTN
"“I might have to go. I might have to go,” Rozier said in response to Stephen A. Smith’s scenario. “I put up with a lot this year, so you know, I said what I said after the season. I think we all know I’m not trying to step into that again.”"
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To Rozier’s credit, who can blame him? The University of Louisville product spent majority of the season bouncing between playing time while trying to find his role between both Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving returning from season-ending injuries. After carving out a household name for himself last postseason against the Milwaukee Bucks, Rozier acknowledged that he was aware that his playing time would surely diminish as six-time NBA All-Star Irving returned and retook the reigns as the floor general.
Rozier responded to critics via reporters following Boston’s final game of the season after the Celtics suffered a devastating playoff defeat of 116-91 to the Bucks on May 8 resulting in a 4-1 series result:
"A lot of things weren’t fair to me, but it’s not about me,” Rozier said. “That’s why I don’t b—- and complain,” Rozier said. “I don’t give a f— what nobody say, I sacrificed the most out of anybody. I’m a top point guard in this league. I feel like it’s a fresh start, whether I’m here or whether I’m gone."
Yet this season was far worse than anyone could’ve imagined, as Rozier quickly became the scapegoat to many spectators and fans alike. He rounded off the 2018-19 season averaging 9.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists, a significant drop from his playoff production the prior season.
Rozier will enter the summer of 2019 as a restricted free agent, and has remained optimistic about his future in the league, regardless if that future is in Boston or elsewhere.