Boston Celtics: 3 C’s that will prove to be pivotal during the team’s grueling January/ February schedule

Tremont Waters

Lastly, we have a player who has only seen three games of action for the Boston Celtics this season, but could find himself contributing in some big ways during parts of their January and February schedule.

Rookie Tremont Waters proved to be quite a serviceable contributor right off the bat in his NBA debut. On November 25th, without Kemba Walker in the lineup (neck sprain) minutes were up for grabs, and the C’s looked towards Waters as a rotation option at the position.

In a home tilt against the Sacramento Kings, the point guard logged seven points to go along with three assists, two rebounds two blocks and a steal in 19 minutes of action. He ended with a box +/- of +20 and, along with his efforts, the Celtics came away with a hard fought victory in the closing minutes.

Since this game, while he has logged a few “garbage time” minutes on two other occasions, the LSU product has found himself spending a majority of his time in Maine with Boston’s G-League affiliate the Maine Red Claws.

Here he has blossomed into one of the team’s most productive young prospects, averaging 20.4 points, 7.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 38% from 3.

Now he may soon find himself being called up to help with the soon-to-be tired backcourt rotation during this upcoming stretch. Playing 23 games in 42 days is sure to take it’s toll on this roster. With Waters — and Tacko Fall for that matter — being on a two-way contract, the Celtics can call him up to the team’s 15-man roster up to 45 times throughout the season.

What better time to utilize this aspect of his contract than during a should be fatigue riddled slate like the one Boston will soon be embarking on. With him in tow, Brad Stevens could thrust him into extra minutes — especially against not-so menacing backcourts like the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards and even the San Antonio Spurs.

With this, not only could he be giving core backcourt players like Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown much needed time to rest, but he’d also be giving the rookie some valuable experience in the NBA during one of the toughest stretches a team could possibly ask for.