Boston Celtics: 5 Cs who could average 15+ points per game in 2021-22

Boston Celtics player who could average 15+ points No. 4) Marcus Smart

Outside of the other three aforementioned ballers mentioned here today, if one’s looking for a player with the best chance of logging 15 or more points come the conclusion of this coming season Marcus Smart would likely be that guy to bet on.

For the first time in his seven-year career, the starting point guard position is Smart’s to lose heading into the 2021-22 season with Walker now in New York.

Though he’s proven to thrive whilst serving predominantly off-ball at the two slot, the 27-year-old now has the opportunity to return to his traditional position at the one on a full-time basis and, based on his numbers last season whilst running the show, this could prove to be rather beneficial for both the individual as well as the team as a whole.

In 2020-21, per 75 possessions Smart went on to post scoring averages of 14.5 points which, though obviously is below the threshold we’re discussing in this article, is the number he boasted with their former franchise guard still in the mix.

Now, with an average of 15.7 shot attempts available for the taking, more scoring opportunities will likely be heading Smart’s way which, honestly, could either go one of two ways — he could either improve his scoring numbers as a whole with these new opportunities or simply just increase his shooting volume while keeping his point totals around the same all while plummeting in efficiency along the way.

Knowing how the veteran typically operates, the latter outcome unfortunately is a very real possibility. However, we’re feeling a bit optimistic after he re-upped with the franchise a new four-year, $77 million extension and believe that Marcus Smart could be heading towards a career year, particularly in the points department.

Boston Celtics player who could average 15+ points No. 5) Al Horford

Last but not least we have perhaps the biggest wildcard for the Boston Celtics heading into this season in veteran big man, Al Horford.

Returning to eastern Massachusetts after two years of repping other zip codes, the 35-year-old comes in looking to help improve the C’s lackadaisical center rotation that has seemingly hindered the team since his departure back in the summer of 2019.

While he’ll certainly be a luxury to have for many reasons this coming year, perhaps the biggest area in which he’ll be able to help the frontcourt out is with their offensive production, specifically in the points department.

A sound scoring option with career averages of 13.9 points per game, Horford is coming off an impressive 2020-21 season where he saw himself post averages of 14.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and just shy of a block on 45 percent shooting from the floor and 39 percent shooting from deep.

Now, while one may find it a bit hard to believe that the vet could wind up posting 15 points a night this year what with the fact that he hasn’t done so since 2015-16, with the way in which Udoka wishes to run his offensive scheme, frontcourt floor spacing and higher distribution rates will be major keys which, in turn, could prove to help Horford’s case as he’s their best 3-point shooting option at the pivot (shoots 36 percent from deep for his career).

If all goes right, and the Boston Celtics become more team-oriented like their new head coach wishes, which will make scoring a lot easier for a guy like Horford, especially considering the opposing defense will be preoccupied with trying to stop Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.