Boston Celtics: Could Cs be in on market for Jarrett Culver?

As the NBA offseason gets underway, the Boston Celtics should be scouting talent for the draft, as well as reviewing potential trade and free-agent options. Brad Stevens has already fixed Boston’s frontcourt synergy by adding Al Horford, but he still has a lot of work to do if the Cs want to be a highly respected contender this coming season.

Some of these responsibilities include moving on from one or two of the six centers the Celtics have rostered, deciding what to do with Evan Fournier and whether or not to extend Robert Williams and Marcus Smart–well as finding good fits to bolster the Celtics depth–all sit on Stevens desk from now until the start of the season.

As fans, the only way we know what Stevens and the Boston Celtics are planning, or could potentially plan, is through rumors. It’s best not to buy into them, but they are suitable for some food for thought.

Recently, Darren Wolfson reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves’ former number six overall pick, Jarrett Culver, could be acquired for just a second-round pick. The young forward out of Texas Tech has struggled with Minnesota, and the franchise is growing impatient with his development. With Anthony Edwards turning the corner and KAT and D’Angelo Russell getting healthy, the Wolves may no longer be in a position to wait for Culver to come around.

The Boston Celtics currently lack wing depth and have a good track record for developing wings. A second-round pick is an easy price to meet, and with Boston looking at superstar free agents next season, they may be looking for some younger assets to pair with contracts to free up some cap space.

Could Jarrett Culver be their guy? Could the Boston Celtics and Ime Udoka help Culver realize his lottery potential, then pawn him off when they go home run hitting next offseason?

I don’t think so. Before I get into the serious on-court issues with Jarrett Culver, an evaluation needs to be made about the tendencies and direction of the Boston Celtics’ front office. Brad Stevens has never been throwing inexperienced young guys into the mix and relying on them to win big games.

He’d had to do it, but he’s never liked to, and there’s no reason to believe that’s changed since he’s been promoted. In his current position, Jarrett Culver does not get Boston any closer to Banner #18. With his $6 million salary, the Celtics would forfeit any low-level free agents they may be looking at.

It does not fit Brad Stevens’ MO, and it certainly does not practically help the Celtics this season.

Moving on to what Jarrett Culver would do for the Boston Celtics, there’s not much to say. He’s 6’6 195 lbs with a six-foot-10 wingspan and some good physical tools, but he is not working offensively. His shooting splits are lackluster, and nothing on his shooting chart screams upside.

He’s a non-factor as a floor spacer, and despite possessing a longer frame, has not managed a single season above average league efficiency around the rim. His skinny frame limits his scoring punch, and his poor jumper makes matters worse since teams know they don’t have to step out and respect his shot.

Fixing a guy like Culver would take years and, at the very least, an entire season in the G-League. The idea that the Boston Celtics could trade for him, develop him, and sell him in a period lasting just under a year is a pipe dream.

In reality, the Cs may never be able to unlock Culver’s potential because they won’t be able to play him since they’ll be too busy contending. I like the idea of the Celtics retaining assets that appreciate, but Culver may not appreciate at all, and if he does, it’ll take too much time, which the Celtics don’t have.