Hardwood Houdini
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Boston Celtics: 5 underrated distributors Cs should pursue this offseason

By Chris Conte

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 09: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets passes during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 09, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 09: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets passes during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 09, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Passing option for the Boston Celtics No. 3) TJ McConnell

If you watched Jayson Tatum’s legendary rookie playoff run, chances are you remember who TJ McConnell is.

He dropped a triple-double in game four of the second-round series between the Cs and the Sixers to avoid a sweep by Boston.

Currently, he is entering free agency after having a career season with the Indiana Pacers.

He averaged 8.6 points per game and dished out 6.6 assists in 26 minutes. He played 69 games and started in just three of them.

The Boston Celtics won’t ask McConnell to score, but that passing he provided on the Pacers would greatly benefit the ball club.

In addition, his ability to get the ball under the rim (221 assists at the rim) would help institute more cutting, and his kick-outs (181 3PT assists) would better the team’s spacing.

McConnell is coming off making $3.5 million, and after having a career season, his price tag is likely to rise.

Boston could offer him somewhere in the neighborhood $5 million for a season, thereby giving McConnell his money and keeping their books clean for next summer.

Marcus Smart, Payton Pritchard, and TJ McConnell would be the point guards for the Celtics.

It’s not ideal, but it’s financially feasible and defensively sound. There’s enough passing and shooting to stabilize Udoka’s rotations, and there are no chemistry concerns.