With reports coming out that the Boston Celtics will be without Kemba Walker to start the season, more opportunities will arise for players to receive extended play.
As the start of the 2020-21 season rapidly approaches, it appears the Boston Celtics will have to prepare for a lineup without Kemba Walker to kick things off.
According to recent reports from the franchise, Walker received a stem-cell injection in his left knee back in October and was placed on a 12-week strengthening program. Reports also added that the point guard will return to on-court activities in early December and that the Cs will “provide an update regarding his game availability” during the first week of January.
Being that the season is expected to start December 22, it is evident that the franchise will start the season without their All-Star in tow.
Because of this, Boston will be looking for players to fill in for him and his 30+ minutes per game averages in the early stages of the campaign.
In turn, Walker’s absence will bestow some players extended time on the court, which could help some of said players establish themselves in the rotation even when the point guard makes his return.
While losing one of your best talents is never a good thing, there are 3 players we believe could stand to benefit from Kemba’s leave:
Player who could benefit from Kemba Walker’s absence No. 1) Romeo Langford
The first person on this list is one that many may not have initially expected to see. After being selected 14th overall during last year’s NBA Draft, Romeo Langford had himself quite an up-and-down season (to put it lightly).
Splitting time between the roster of the Boston Celtics and with the Maine Red Claws in the G-League, it was hard for the 19-year-old to crack into the rotation at a consistent rate, especially considering the injuries he endured in the beginning of the year and at the end.
However, with the absences of both Gordon Hayward — signed with Charlotte this offseason — and Walker from the rotation, Langford could see more opportunities for playing time in two separate areas — at the wing and, interestingly enough, the point.
A few months back the Houdini brought up the idea that the Indiana product may have the skill set necessary to serve at the one moving forward.
Whilst in college, Langford showcased an impressive array of court vision, ball handling, and driving skills, all attributes highly coveted by point guards.
The C’s front office desperately wants their former lottery selection to pan out and will likely throw him in as many situations as possible to prove that the pick was not wasted.
Should they wish to spice things up a bit right out of the gates, Brad Stevens could opt to throw Romeo Langford some time at the one while Walker is out in an effort to show off his talents, either to utilize moving forward or, perhaps, even in an effort to inflate his trade value moving forward.