Amongst the Boston Celtics’ four draft picks this past June, it appears the team’s first selection, Romeo Langford, has become somewhat of the “forgotten man.”
Currently speaking, the 2019 rookie class for the Boston Celtics appears to be the best overall collection throughout the association. And while it may have been somewhat expected, being the franchise had four selections in this year’s NBA Draft, what’s surprising is a majority of the noise surrounding the young newcomers is in reference to the team’s later picks, as well as their un-drafted free agent signings.
Tacko Fall and Carsen Edwards appear to be all fans can talk about when discussing this year’s Summer League. With Edwards (33rd pick averaging 19 points per game on 47% shooting from deep) and the seven-foot-six Fall (un-drafted signee averaging 7.2 points & 1.4 blocks per game) both seemingly proving doubters wrong throughout the Las Vegas tournament, it’s understandable as to why people are enamored with these youngsters.
However, Boston’s rookie buzz has not stopped with just these two players. 22nd overall pick Grant Williams too had himself a solid summer, averaging 13 points, 6 boards and 1.8 assists per night while Tremont Waters (51st selection) put up 11.2 points and 4.8 assists per night, proving despite his less than ideal size (5-11), he is capable of playing at the next level.
With outpour of positive outings and Summer League performances from all these aforementioned players, it may be easy for fans to forget about Boston’s one rookie who has yet to step onto the hardwood as a Boston Celtic — Romeo Langford.
At this point, Langford has fallen behind his fellow rookies in notoriety and expectations for this coming season. While Edwards and Williams (and potentially Fall) could be looking at getting exposure as primary backups at the point guard spot and in the paint, Langford’s role on the team this upcoming season is up in the air.
The wings are already stockpiled with talent. Some of the best (and highest paid) Boston Celtics currently occupy the forward rotation ahead of Langford on the depth chart. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward and Marcus Smart are all due minutes ahead of the Indiana product. Barring injuries, it just doesn’t seem likely Langford will be getting much run this upcoming season.
The Celtics made good use of their numerous selections in this year’s draft, but may have lacked foresight when they chose Langford with their highest pick. Perhaps Ainge didn’t know that Kemba Walker would become available and expected Boston to undergo a rebuild. In that scenario, Langford makes sense.
Then again, with the way the NBA is structured, it is not as though Langford will have to wait long for a chance to crack the rotation. Brown is due for a contract extension after this coming season, and his price tag may drive him out of town. Hayward is eligible for free agency after this coming season as well. Who knows, maybe Ainge trades Smart away to fortify the center position.
Either way, as the team currently stands, Langford won’t be contributing like his fellow rookies will be out of the gate. When he will get his chance is unclear, but it shows how well Ainge made out in this draft being that perhaps his weakest choice was his first choice.