Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum’s absence could mean extended minutes for Langford

With the possibility of Jayson Tatum sitting out for the rest of the season, the Boston Celtics could look to Romeo Langford for extended minutes.

When it rains, it pours Boston Celtics fans.

Despite recent drama being stirred up by the C’s former face of the franchise, Kyrie Irving, current star Jayson Tatum has made his way into the headlines with a bit of controversy of his own.

According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, the 22-year-old is among a small group of NBA players who are expressing concern over their involvement in the league’s return-to-play plan coming in late July, citing potential injury-risks as a major reason for their reported reluctance.

"“Then there’s the threat of injury, which is especially significant to players on the verge of big contracts. According to a source, Boston Celtics’ forward Jayson Tatum, who is eligible for a max extension in the offseason, has expressed reluctance to play for that reason,” said Bondy."

With the way Tatum has played throughout the 2019-20 season — 23.6 points and 7.1 rebounds on 45 percent shooting from the floor and 40 percent shooting from deep — there should be no doubt that he’ll receive a max-contract once negotiations are allowed to commence.

As the number-one option on the Cs, the first-time All-Star has managed to lead them to an impressive record of 43-21, placing them third in the Eastern Conference standings, fifth in the association’s overall standings and, subsequently, fifth in the league’s most recent power rankings.

Both fans and analysts alike believe Boston is well-positioned to make a deep postseason run during the upcoming Disney World bubble format, and have been stationed accordingly:

Should Tatum opt to sit out, the team’s chances of bringing home the Larry O’Brien trophy in 2020, though not completely obliterated, would be severely diminished. However, with or without the tantalizing forward, the team must play on and, in turn, make adjustments to the game-plan, rotation, etc.

While we can automatically assume that guys like Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward would be tasked with taking on larger roles within the scheme, head coach Brad Stevens might also look to the bench and grant one specific player more minutes to help patch up the Tatum shaped void within the rotation the best way they could.

That player?

Romeo Langford.

Yes, one could look at the team’s lone lottery selection as a bit underwhelming during his first season in the NBA, but desperate times call for somewhat desperate measures.

Despite battling injuries coming into the league and throughout the early portions of the season, Langford has turned into the second most often used rookie from this past draft class behind Grant Williams.

Playing a similar position to Tatum — though we here at the Houdini believe he’s best suited at point guard — Langford will likely be the most likely candidate — even ahead of Semi Ojeleye — from the reserves to be bestowed extended minutes should the Boston Celtics star opt to sit out the Disney games.

Though boasting unimpressive per-game averages — 2.6 points & 1.2 rebounds per game — during his stints in the G-League and later on in the season with the Cs, Langford has proven capable of getting to the rim, handling the ball, playing solid defense, and distributing within the confines of the offense.

In extended minutes this year (20-29 minutes range), the rookie has played quite soundly, posting averages of eight points, three rebounds, and an impressive 1.3 blocks per game on 48 percent shooting from the floor, 36 percent shooting from deep and a box plus/ minus of +20.6.

Throwing him in for defensive and rest purposes alone should have already warranted the Indiana product extra minutes for the Boston Celtics during the upcoming resumption of the NBA season.

Should Tatum actually sit out, it would only add to the extended playing time many already foresaw for Romeo Langford this postseason.