Boston Celtics: The perfect 3-step plan to getting Cs season back on track
The Boston Celtics acquire John Collins with the Kanter TPE, answering the need for “shooting with size”
As discussed in previous articles, Atlanta Hawks star forward, John Collins, is the perfect fit for the Celtics stated needs of “shooting with size”. The Hawks big man averages 18 points and seven rebounds per game on 39% from outside. He is the NBA’s prototypical stretch 4, and in the right situation, I wholeheartedly believe he can be an All-Star.
Collins has voiced his concern with the offense of the Hawks, unhappy with the role he has had so far this year. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Collins has raised concerns about how “Trae-centric” the offensive game-plan is.
Can you blame him?
The Hawks offense is geared for Trae to handle the ball every play and try to draw a foul. As a pretty dominant big man, it has to be frustrating to sit in the corner, hoping he finds you for a catch-and-shoot 3. Collins does not get nearly enough touches, posting the lowest usage percentage since his rookie season.
The 4th-year big’s talent is being wasted in Atlanta. He has the potential to be so much more than he is now if properly utilized. In Boston he would be the perfect complimentary piece, the Jays wouldn’t have to give up too many touches for him to be great. He can do so much in so little time, with 75% of his points coming with 2 seconds or less of touch time.
Although he is a mostly catch-and-shoot player, he has an effective field goal percentage of 61% on pull-up jumpers. He has plenty of untapped skill, that could come to life in Boston, so let’s dive into how we can acquire him, using the Kanter trade exception worth $5 million:
The Hawks get two solid forwards with high upside as well as two first-round picks in return for their star big. Semi Ojeleye has become a very solid role player this year, averaging a career-high in every statistical category except free throw percentage. The fourth-year pro has become a very serviceable 3-and-d player, and with more experience and minutes, he has some serious potential.
The player with the higher potential of the two, in my opinion, is Romeo Langford. Romeo has played just 32 games in his career, and those games haven’t been all that great. However, Langford has a ton of upside. The 6’6 forward has a 7-foot wingspan and isn’t afraid to take it to the hoop and draw contact.
Langford has a 32% FTr (free throw rate), which is free throws per field goal attempt. So on a third of his shots, he is getting to the foul line, he is excellent at drawing defenders in with his speed and forcing a foul. By comparison, Cs star Jayson Tatum has a 25% FTr.
The Indiana Product is a solid mid-range shooter as well, hitting 67% of his shots from 10-16 feet in his limited time played. Langford is a big question mark right now, but people tend to forget that he was a lottery pick. That alone may not mean much, but he wasn’t a high pick for no reason, he is oozing with potential.
Hopefully, he can return soon, and show the NBA world that he can be a solid rotational player.