The Boston Celtics have one of the more efficient benches (top 10 in field goal percentage) but are in the lower half of the league in both points and assists.
While that may not seem to indicate there’s any bit of a problem, we know that efficiency naturally craters in the postseason. What can’t be replaced is the ability to score the basketball and set up teammates.
Right now, the Boston Celtics lack the firepower in the second unit to seriously contend for an NBA Championship.
Payton Pritchard is a rookie phenom, but he has now experienced his first NBA injury, and he will need to get reacclimated to the lineup (news via boston.com)
"Rookie guard Payton Pritchard suffered a Grade I MCL sprain in his right knee, an MRI found on Saturday. Pritchard will still miss time though. He’s expected two miss two weeks, the Celtics said in a statement."
Aaron Nesmith is similarly proving to be a genius pick by Danny Ainge, but a hot-streak by a rookie shooter is no reason to not reinforce the bench with a more tried and true option.
Today, the Houdini breaks down 5 veterans the Cs should pursue for the second unit:
Thaddeus Young
Chicago is on the verge of either making a spirited run for the #8 seed or freefalling down the Eastern Conference standings. With questions surrounding Zach LaVine’s fit next to Lauri Markkanen–and what their next contracts could end up looking like–a deconstruction of this roster could feasibly take place.
Thaddeus Young is someone who belongs on a contender at this stage in his career, and he could be a traditional power forward off the bench for a Cs team that is still probably best playing Jayson Tatum at the 4, Jaylen Brown at the 3, and Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart in the backcourt.