Boston Celtics: Projecting the depth chart before and after Kemba’s return

Projected starters: PG Kemba Walker, SG Marcus Smart, SF Jaylen Brown, PF Jayson Tatum, C  Tristan Thompson

The Houdini is going to go out on a limb here and say that when fully healthy, Tristan Thompson will be able to outplay Daniel Theis for the starting center role. Granted, with Grant Williams able to play center as well, the frontcourt is going to get awfully crowded with Thompson, Theis, Time-Lord jockeying for minutes as well.

Thompson was brought on for $9.5 million annually, almost double what Theis makes. Oftentimes the decision to play certain guys minutes comes from the higher-ups, and with that investment in one of the NBA’s most culturally relevant players (via the Khloe Kardashian connection), there might be an initiative to get him as much court time as possible.

Projected second unit: PG Payton Pritchard, SG Jeff Teague, SF Aaron Nesmith, PF Grant Williams, C Daniel Theis

When the Boston Celtics get to the point where Kemba Walker is the regular starter again, the second unit will benefit from having two playmakers in Payton Pritchard and Jeff Teague. If the preseason is any indication, these two will be sharing the floor plenty when the games count as well.

Daniel Theis will be reprising his role as first big off the bench, and paired with the playmaking of the point guards, the shooting of Aaron Nesmith and the improved 3-point stroke of Grant Williams (10-17 from downtown in the postseason), he should be able to serve as a folcrum with his patented dribble hand-off “seals” to find open teammates and create space for their playmaking and marksmenship.

Projected reserves: PG Tremont Waters, SG Carsen Edwards, SF Javonte Green, C Tacko Fall, C Robert Williams

Robert Williams will become the third big man in the rotation when the team is at full strength, but like he did in the C’s Eastern Conference semifinals last season, the “Time Lord” can play his way into the primary backup big role.