The Boston Celtics could use for an upgrade at their backup point guard position. These three players are players the Houdini deems fit to replace their current option in 2020-21.
Introspection of the Boston Celtics depth chart reveals some positions that can use some attention this off-season. For the most part, it seemed that Danny Ainge wanted to put the youth at the forefront, besides one particular role.
Brad Wanamaker is, or rather was (and likely will be again) the backup point guard during the 2019-20 season. If the season never reaches a natural end, his stats took a hit from December until March, as his hot start tailed off before the great NBA suspension of 2020.
He started off the season pretty well, but the season takes its toll. In just his second year in the NBA, and his first in this much of a spotlight, the 30-year-old answered the call admirably. Having Brad Stevens — the point guard whisperer — has undoubtedly elevated his game and his profile.
The one glaring question mark is his lack of playoff experience. He played plenty of garbage time minutes last year, but important time on the hardwood isn’t a current part of his resume. The newcomer is on the wrong side of his own athletic prime as well
So the point guard position could theoretically use an infusion of vet savvy…or perhaps be an in-house option. The C’s are not in a position to throw big money at any free agent not already on the roster. The adding salaries of Gordon Hayward, Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart already has them pushing the tax line.
In a dystopian post-coronavirus salary cap situation, the Boston Celtics could already be at or over the tax line. If that is the reality in which the team will exist, then we are in for a summer of little spending.
Little spending means veterans who are coming off of low-points and or, perhaps it could come from within. Here are three options for the backup point guard role in lieu of Wanamaker:
Brandon Knight
In 2019-20 Brandon Knight found a new home… or, rather, a familiar home in Detroit. Returning to the Pistons, Knight was a 39 percent shooter in over seven attempts per game during his nine game stint in the Motor City.
After the Pistons tore down the roster by getting rid of its most senior member and a beloved Michigander in Andre Drummond, the tank was on. Particularly with Blake Griffin suffering from various ailments and eventually being shut down, Knights’s role expanded. Knight was part of the return haul for Drummond in the deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
It’s been a few rocky years for Knight, who was once part of the deal for Eric Bledsoe to the Phoenix Suns. Knight’s torn ACL was the catalyst for a rough stretch for the former Kentucky Wildcat. He missed the entire 2017-18 season and didn’t play much when he returned for the Houston Rockets.
After cashing in on contracts in the $13 million-$15 million range the past few seasons, Knight may have to settle for a deal well below that in free agency. As an eight-year veteran, he can add experience to the team that Wanamaker will likely never attain in the league.
Though the past few years have been a bit rocky for the 28-year-old, Knight is still a career 14.1 point, 4.0 assist and 3.1 rebound per game player on 41 percent shooting from the floor and 35 percent shooting from deep.
Finally with an uptick in his minutes, prior to the season’s suspension the point guard was starting to prove himself worthy yet again with the Pistons, posting 11.6 points and 4.2 assists per game on 39 percent shooting from deep.
It’s evident that Brandon Knight is fighting for his NBA career with every minute he logs. Perhaps the point guard whisperer himself Brad Stevens could manage to get the most out of the former eighth overall selection.
With the talent Knight actually does possess — despite what recent seasons may suggest — landing him on a one year “prove it” deal may be a solid route for the C’s to take in regard to bolstering their primary backup one guard slot.
Jeff Teague
Recently, we discussed the idea of the Boston Celtics pursuing the likes of soon-to-be free agent veteran Jeff Teague this offseason. Since it’s publication, frankly, I can’t help but feel he’d be a great fit with the C’s and within coach Brad Stevens’ offensive scheme that’s widely considered friendly for point guards.
Prior to the league’s COVID-19 induced hiatus, Teague found himself in the midst of his second stint with the Atlanta Hawks after being traded from Minnesota in mid-January. Through 59 outings in 2019-20, the 31-year-old point guard was posting averages of 10.9 points and 5.2 assists on 44 percent shooting from the floor and 37 percent shooting from deep.
Though no longer an All-Star or, honestly, in the prime of his career Teague still could provide a team — specifically one in a position to win — with many sufficient attributes, namely, his experience in the postseason.
Through a decade of play the point guard has reached the postseason nine times — 2010-18 –, four of which saw deep runs. With him in tow, this young Celtics squad (average age hovers around 24 years old) a seasoned vet they could very much use as well as an improvement at the backup one spot they so desperately need.
Though now mainly seen and utilized as a second unit point guard, Teague has shown through both his play and numbers that he’s more than capable of stepping into the primary position when his number is called upon to do so — averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 assists and a steal per game on 38 percent shooting from deep in 17 starts this year.
With the lingering knee issues we’ve seen starter Kemba Walker deal with throughout the season — and reportedly while in self isolation — the team should be very interested in bringing in a savvy & adequately experienced veteran point guard who can fill the void at the one and lead a team if ever needed to.
Jeff Teague, despite what some may think, truly has proven to still be capable of checking off both these boxes and could prove to be an incredibly valuable asset to have for this championship aspiring shamrocks squad.
Tremont Waters
With the 51st pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics select…. the simplest answer when it comes to replacing Brad Wanamaker in 2020-21.
Though used quite sparingly in 2019-20, Tremont Waters showed flashes of potentially being a solid player in the NBA at some point during his NBA career. The only thing currently holding us back from finding out that answer — despite the current hiatus — is an opportunity.
Hitting the hardwood in just 10 games, the rookie point guard managed to muster only 3.3 points and 1.2 assists per game in a mere 8.9 average minutes played. While these numbers are by no means eye-popping it was his lone appearance recording meaningful minutes — including deep into the fourth quarter of a close game — that stands out the most.
In a November 25th bout against the Sacramento Kings, Waters recorded a solid log-line of seven points, three assists, two boards, an incredibly impressive two blocks (he’s just 5-10) & a steal to go along with a box +/- of +20 and a 103-102 Boston Celtics victory.
When given ample playing time, the point guard has simply made the most of things. Spending a majority of his first professional season in the G-League, Waters has boasted averages of 18 points, seven assists and three rebounds with the Maine Red Claws and helped guide the Boston Celtics affiliated developmental team to a record of 28-14, good for third place in the Eastern Conference.
It was clear that his play impressed more than just the C’s front office, as the buzz around trade season was the other rival executives and teams were reportedly gauging interest in the young guard.
One last name that came up repeatedly talking to front office executives and scouts about the G-League Showcase: Tremont Waters. Water is on a Two-Way with Boston.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) December 23, 2019
"He's an NBA backup PG right now. I told our GM to trade for him, because he's better than what we have today."
More on Tremont Waters from another front office executive: "We'd ask, but Boston wouldn't listen. Why would they? Kid can really play. He's small, but smart. Quick enough to get his shot off. He's a playmaker. He'll be on a standard contract next year, if not later this year."
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) December 23, 2019
Despite being selected in the mid second round of this year’s draft, Tremont Waters had quite an impressive collegiate career. Through two seasons with the LSU Tigers (2017-19), the point guard averaged a solid 15.6 points, 5.9 assists and 2.4 steals per game while achieving honors such as First-Team All-SEC and SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
Had it not been for his slight frame — again, he is just 5-10, 175 pounds –stats and accolades like these very likely would have thrust him into the first round. However, things played out the way they did and the Boston Celtics were able to nab him in the second.
Simply put, it was made quite obvious that other teams and executives were interested in the possibility of acquiring the services of the 22 year old, with some admitting they may have made a mistake in passing on him in the draft.
With all this in mind, the Celtics should strive to see what they have in Tremont Waters. A way to do this? Thrust him into the primary backup point guard position next season and see if he sinks or swims.
At some point, coach Stevens needs to set the young buck free! Let’s hope that time comes in 2020-21.