Boston Celtics: Romeo Langford is the ultimate X-factor for the Cs

Can the Boston Celtics count on Romeo Langford to fulfill his potential?

When the Boston Celtics drafted Romeo Langford with the 14th pick in the 2019 draft, it was largely predicated on potential. He was a high-school phenom, 5th ranked prospect in the nation, appearing in several “Ballislife” videos, with hundreds of thousands of hits.

Early in his college career at Indiana, he suffered a torn ligament in his thumb, so we didn’t see him at full strength. So like stated before, when the Boston Celtics decided to use their lottery pick on him, it was based on what he could be, not what he was…which was a project piece for sure.

With countless injuries of all kinds, Langford had barely seen the floor in his first two seasons in the NBA, logging just 653 career minutes to this point. And it’s not like his time on the court had been of much substance either, averaging a career 2.7 points per game, on 35.3% from the field, and 22.2% from deep. The only thing that stood out was his defense.

But towards the end of last season, he was finally healthy, and he looked good. He had a 14-point game to end the season, and averaged nine points per game on improved shooting splits in the playoffs, including two starts. It was a step in the right direction for the often absent Langford, material to build upon.

He clearly used his first full offseason wisely, as he has looked amazing so far this summer league, and preseason, but it bears the question…

Can the Boston Celtics expect Romeo Langford to keep up his summer league and preseason dominance?

Romeo Langford had quite the showing this offseason for the Boston Celtics. Starting with the summer league, he averaged 11 points per game, on 44% shooting from the field, and 38.5% from deep on 4.3 attempts per outing. He looked developed. His shooting form finally looked normal, his defense was up to par if not better than before, and he at last looked like a real complimentary player.

However, it was the preseason in which he truly stood out. He posted 12.5 points per game on a staggering 60% shooting from beyond-the-arc. Romeo Langford shooting 50% from deep on 28 attempts combined from the offseason games, is not something I would have predicted.

For example, Langford shoots a career 10/45 from the 3-point line in 50 career games. This means that in just seven combined summer league and preseason games, he has hit four more beyond-the-arc shots than he has his entire regular season career, just mind-blowing numbers.

No one should expect the now third-year pro to keep this hot-streak alive, but a solid 37-40% would be amazing accounting for higher volume on the season. He looks like an improved finisher, a capable passer, a great defender, and now add shooting to that mix?

Don’t look now, but Romeo Langford could be in contention for most improved player. Even if he averaged just 12 points on the season, that would still be a 4x increase on last season, and it truly feels like the sky is the limit for the new and improved Langford.

His role is largely in the air as of right now, but no one player has truly separated themselves at the two-guard position. If Langford plays his cards right, he could finish this season as a starter for the Celts.

No matter what does end up happening, the potential is there, making Romeo Langford the Boston Celtics ultimate X-factor.