Boston Celtics: Ranking likelihood of Cs landing B/R’s top Cs FA targets
Shabazz Napier
So much of Shabazz Napier‘s potential future in Beantown depends on what the Boston Celtics decide to do with the point guard spot. As Favale explains, the Cs have a Brad Wanamaker-sized problem to address to decide what replacements they would need to seek via the draft or free agency:
"Sticking with Brad Wanamaker allows the Celtics to funnel their best free-agent tool toward the center spot. But if they’re looking for someone who provides more shot-making variance, Shabazz Napier looms as a should-be-cheap-enough option."
It’s not hard to see Napier fitting–and perhaps even thriving–in a Brad Stevens offense that has always been kind to shot-hunting point guards. Napier can do more for a team than Wanamaker on his best days, averaging 11 points, four assists, and two rebounds while on a Wizards team lacking in the playmaking department…especially in the Lake Buena Vista bubble on Walt Disney World’s campus this past summer.
Napier isn’t worth more than a minimum contract this summer, and the best-case scenario for the Cs would probably be to not have to rely on vets taking less to win. Then again, that’s how the system is built, so–should the opportunity arise–Napier’s dog mentality can be the perfect supplement to a Cs team that finished with a top-5 defense.
That said, the Celtics could find themselves with a playermaker like Kira Lewis Jr. and turn this potential idea into dust.