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Boston Celtics: 3 players that could benefit from Gordon Hayward’s absence

By Mark Nilon

MADISON, NJ - AUGUST 11: Romeo Langford #45 of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait during the 2019 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 11, 2019 at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sean Berry/NBAE via Getty Images)
MADISON, NJ - AUGUST 11: Romeo Langford #45 of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait during the 2019 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 11, 2019 at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sean Berry/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images) /

Player No. 1) Tremont Waters

Though the NBA transaction window came to a close earlier this week, according to ESPN’s Front Office Insider Bobby Marks, teams reportedly can add replacement players until August 14th, which means there is still time for the Boston Celtics to utilize such an opportunity and add on players to bolster their rotation heading into the postseason.

One popular player whom we’ve advocated for the Cs to add onto the roster for the Disney bubble has been rookie point guard, Tremont Waters.

Waters, selected 51st overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, split time during his rookie season between the NBA and G-League and, in turn, produced quite admirably on both levels.

Most notably, playing for the Maine Red Claws for 36 games, the point guard averaged an impressive 18 points, 7.3 assists, and two steals per game on 35 percent shooting from deep and helped guide the team to a record of 28-14, placing them fourth seed in their division. Because of his excellence, the 22-year-old earned himself a spot on the All-NBA G-League Second Team and was named the G-League’s Rookie of the Year for 2019-20.

Though a small sample size (10 games played), Waters also proved capable of holding his own at the NBA level as well. Though averaging a mere 3.3 points, 1.2 assists, and a half a steal per game, when bestowed extended minutes, the rookie managed to show his worth on both sides of the ball.

Specifically referring to Boston’s outing against the Sacramento Kings on November 25th, Waters played 20 meaningful minutes — including action in crunch time — and stuffed the stat sheet with seven points, three assists, two rebounds, one steal, and two blocks, finishing the game with a box plus/ minus of +20 and, ultimately, a Celtics win.

Come the postseason, and with the expected expansion of rosters, Waters is a prime candidate to make it to Disney. Now, being that the team is expected to be without Hayward come September, minutes will be up for grabs and, in turn, could provide the point guard with more playing opportunities than we previously might have thought.

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