Boston Celtics: 3 players who could see increased roles today vs. OKC

Player Who Could See Increased Role No. 3) Jaylen Brown

Similar to the reason as to why we believe Tremont Waters could see an uptick in minutes in today’s exhibition, Kemba Walker’s absence very likely will have an impact on Jaylen Brown’s role on the team as well, specifically on the offensive side of the ball.

Though he possesses the potential to be another team’s number one option, on the Boston Celtics, Brown ranks in at number three in the pecking order, and that’s not just a testimony to how stacked their lineup is.

Through 50 games played in 2019-20, the 23-year-old has managed to post career highs seemingly all across the board, averaging 20.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game on 49 percent shooting from the floor and 38 percent shooting from downtown.

Brown, running alongside All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker, is the final cog that forms the only trio in the league averaging 20+ points a night. Coming into the Disney bubble, the Cs are seen as one of the top contenders to win the NBA championship, and their star-studded core is a massive reason as to why.

However, without Kemba in the rotation, the pecking order in regard to the team’s primary options gets a bit of a makeover. Tonight, it’s obvious we’ll see Tatum slotted in as Boston’s go-to player — as he’s been all season — but, with their All-NBA point guard sidelined, the number two slot is open for the taking.

Simple solution: slide Brown to the number two option in the pecking order and move all the other players behind him up one level.

Though it’s only a scrimmage, we expect to see the fourth-year wing take on the role of second scoring option today against the Thunder, and, with his talent, he’ll likely dominate in the process.