Boston Celtics: 3 Cs that could collect DNP-CDs in 2021-22

Boston Celtics SG/SF Romeo Langford

At the tail end of Brad Stevens’ HC tenure, the new President of Basketball Operations found an affinity for second-year man Romeo Langford. After injuries derailed his first postseason experience–a truly surreal playoff debut down in the Lake Buena Vista Bubble–he got to start against the Brooklyn Nets.

His elimination game performance was solid (17 points on 7/12 shooting, 3/7 3PT), and he followed it up with an impressive Summer League. So why did the Houdini include Langford in this space?

Well, we’re nervous about his injury history. Any missed time in the early portion of the season could give Aaron Nesmith the opportunity to run away in the second unit swingman race between the former #14 picks.

Obviously, it’d be fair to slap a similar caveat on Jaylen Brown, who just had surgery on his wrist. Brown’s recovery is going well, but he’s been prone to miss time himself.

The (also obvious) difference is Brown’s solid role as the C’s primary sidekick to ascending superstar Jayson Tatum. If Ime Udoka falls in love with a Marcus Smart-Dennis Schroder backcourt (likely because of the defensive versatility) Langford is in trouble.

Any early season Nesmith rise would be the tipping point.