Boston Celtics: Kadeem Allen could be name to monitor as replacement player

If the Boston Celtics are forced to use a replacement player during the NBA’s planned restart, could Kadeem Allen be a name to watch?

An interesting name hit the free-agent market yesterday as former Boston Celtics guard Kadeem Allen was waived by the New York Knicks in order to make room for recently waived Phoenix Suns guard Jared Harper.

Allen was on the 2017-18 Cinderella C’s that marched within one game of the NBA Finals, but he struggled in his first pro season in Boston. It wasn’t until last season with the Knicks that the proved that he can be an immediate on-court contributor, where he averaged 10 points on 46 percent shooting.

After having his minutes cut in half this season, Allen never quite made the step from G-League starter to regular NBA rotation player. That might be a blessing in disguise for Allen, though. With the NBA likely to have plenty of injuries and positive coronavirus tests, there could be a wave of roster spot openings over the course of the league’s stay in Walt Disney World.

For Allen, that would also mean learning an entirely new system and way of playing the games, not to mention trying to jell with new teammates right before the postseason. Unless, of course, he decides to return to Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics.

The C’s could use fortifying of the point guard position even before injuries. Brad Wanamaker and two rookies is not exactly a dream scenario for a backup point guard. Allen brings more NBA experience and also plenty of reps as a top scoring option with the Westchester Knicks.

It’s not a perfect fit, and it would certainly take a lot of unfortunate things to happen to even consider signing the recently waived guard. But there are worse options than the three-year veteran–who would be returning to the franchise as a much more complete player.