Boston Celtics: 3 players whose fate hangs on ECF results

The makeup of the Boston Celtics roster could dramatically hang in the balance depending on what the results of the Eastern Conference finals are.

Tonight’s Eastern Conference finals Game 6, and any ensuing postseason games, will tell the story of what the Boston Celtics roster makeup will be next season and beyond. As of right now, the only sure thing should be the ascending superstar duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

As good as the Cs are, it may become clear that they don’t have enough to beat Miami as currently constructed. While the Heat don’t project to be a superpower at the level of the Golden State Warriors or even LeBron James’ Miami Heat of the first half of the 2010s as currently constructed, they can realistically get (a lot) better this offseason and/or next.

Besides Miami, the Brooklyn Nets are sure to become a top player in the east while the Milwaukee Bucks plan on surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo with a better supporting cast. It’s no longer the “least-ern” conference as it was in years’ past.

If the Cs can’t prove that this roster can produce a more cohesive offense than what they have shown this series, perhaps big changes could be on the horizon. Here are 3 players whose very fate on the roster could depend on the results of the Eastern Conference finals:

Brad Wanamaker

Brad Wanamaker is the most under-the-radar backup in the entire NBA due to his non-linear path to the NBA. The Pitt product has shot 8/12 in the Eastern Conference finals against Miami, and has broken out for double digits against both the Heat and the Raptors.

Unfortunately for Wanamaker, if the team loses, it will be very easy to point the finger at him because of the lack of name recognition at the league’s most important position.

Daniel Theis

We all remember the preseason. The worries around these parts (and most of the Boston Celtics community) was regarding the center position. Replacing Al Horford and Aron Baynes with Enes Kanter and an incumbent third-year center was certainly worthy of eliciting worry at the time.

Since then, Daniel Theis emerged as the top center option during the regular season. Defeating the Philadelphia 76ers so handily certainly helped his cause. That said, losing to Miami could inspire Danny Ainge to explore Theis’ trade value with a potentially better option on a cheaper deal in Robert Williams right behind him on the depth chart.

Marcus Smart

Look, we all love Marcus Smart. He is, without a doubt, the heart and soul of the defensive identity of the team. That said, he has made himself a barometer of team success through his streaky volume 3-point shooting.

While he has provided Boston with huge performances (his 26 points in Game 1 of the series being exhibit A), he has also shot them out of games, including a dud of a Game 4 (3/12 from the field, 1/8 from the 3-point line).

No one wants to see Smart traded…but if he can be a major component of a blockbuster trade in the offseason, it’d be worth the conversation.

Smart needs to shut me up tonight. The Houdini hopes he does!