A certain Toronto Raptors guard has proven a player such Tremont Waters can thrive in the NBA, which should bring hope for Boston Celtics fans.
Once a league dominated by size and strength, over the years the NBA has become a positionless league that sees people dominating based on skillset rather than one’s stature. Because of this, a player such a Boston Celtics rookie Tremont Waters has a realistic shot at thriving at such a level.
Despite having an impressive two-year stint with the LSU Tigers from 2017-19 — averaged 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 — Waters found himself drop to the second round of last year’s draft, only to be scooped up at 51 by the Cs.
Had it not been for his relatively small stature (5-10, 175-pounds) his numbers and achievements should have easily warranted him consideration for being a first-round selection. However, this, of course, did not turn out to be the case and Celtics fans now find themselves hopeful for what the future has in store for their 22-year-old rookie.
Though playing in just 10 games with the Boston Celtics this season, Waters has played undeniably well whilst honing his skills in the NBA G-League with the Maine Red Claws. Through 36 outings, the New England native (born in New Haven, CT) has averaged an impressive 18 points, seven assists and three rebounds with the Maine Red Claws and helped guide the team to a record of 28-14, good for third place in the Eastern Conference.
Due to his impressive play during his rookie campaign, the point guard reportedly managed to spark intrigue from front offices around the league, and even was seen as a solid trade target this season.
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."
Of course, as we all are quite aware, the team did not trade the young guard and, instead, have us excited for the future for Waters in Beantown. In fact, many believe that, with Brad Wanamaker’s impending free agency, the young talent could be in the running to take over primary backup point guard duties behind Kemba Walker come 2020-21.
A big reason for this excitement — at least, for us here at the Houdini — is due to the impressive and overachieving production from a specific someone currently rostered by the Toronto Raptors.
A man by the name of Fred VanVleet.
Going undrafted back in 2016, the fourth-year point guard has managed to up his play every year he’s been in the league and, prior to the NBA’s hiatus on March 11th, was finding himself gearing up for a large payday come the offseason.
During his rookie season, like Waters, the undersized guard found himself accumulating ample playing time in the G-League with the Raptors 905. Averaging very similar numbers to the Boston Celtics’ young prospect this season, VanVleet put up 16.9 points, 7.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game during his stint in the development league.
His impressive play proved worthy of him being considered for the lead backup point guard role in his sophomore season (2017-18) — similar to where we view Waters — where he wound up producing to the tune of 8.6 points, 3.2 assists, and just shy of a steal per game on 43 percent shooting from the field, 41 percent shooting from deep and, by the time awards season rolled around, found himself finishing third in the running for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.
Every year since then, VanVleet has improved upon virtually every aspect of his game, leading into 2019-20 where he boasts career numbers seemingly all across the board: 17.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game on 41 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent shooting from deep.
By no means blessed with a strong build — 6-0, 197 pounds — Fred VanVleet has made it this far thanks to his high basketball IQ, strong defensive chops, and willingness to put it all on the line when given an opportunity. Because of this, he will draw an obscene amount of attention from organizations hungry to improve their point guard position this offseason and, in turn, will likely find himself receiving a lucrative contract.
Nothing was given to the 26-year-old talent during his NBA career; he had to fight for everything he currently has and, frankly, his accolades are impressive and continuously improving.
Similar to VanVleet, despite having a large amount of success during his collegiate career, coming into the league Waters was still severely overlooked by NBA scouts and front offices due, in large, to his less-than-desirable build.
However, also similar to VanVleet, when given an actual opportunity, Waters has thoroughly impressed.
If the fourth-year pro for the Raptors is any indicator, the Boston Celtics could really have something special in Tremont Waters. If the rookie were to take notes from anyone in the league, it should be Fred VanVleet.