The Boston Celtics training camp roster, according to NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg, is all set. So for those that were holding their breath for Carmelo Anthony replacing Danilo Gallinari after the latter’s ACL tear, stop doing that. You’re going to pass out eventually if you haven’t already.
Beyond the starting lineup (Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Robert Williams), primary bench contributors (Derrick White, Grant Williams, Payton Pritchard), their marquee 2022 offseason acquisition (Malcolm Brogdon), and the returning reserves (Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet), Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens has done well to sign a slew of potential surprises in the second unit for this coming season.
Of that bunch, sixth-year forward Justin Jackson and seventh-year forward Jake Layman, who are both signed to Exhibit 10 deals, are expected to make the team after training camp and the preseason.
Forsberg revealed those two as his personal predictions for who will claim the 13th and 14th roster spots (Danilo Gallinari’s TPMLE deal will remain on the books) — while also projecting the Cs keeping their 15th spot open for roster flexibility:
"“Now, if the question is who emerges with one of three currently open roster spots, my early guesses would be Jake Layman, Justin Jackson, and the Celtics keep the 15th slot open for maximum flexibility (and tax savings). Layman was a steady reserve in Portland and Minnesota. He fits Boston’s schemes and does enough to mask his perimeter shooting woes. Jackson has never quite tapped into his potential but got a call for a 10-day when the team was thin on bodies last year and then had a solid summer league.”"
Who the Boston Celtics can sign with their final roster spot
Boston doesn’t seem likely to bring on more than one veteran, if they even do decide to bring on another player with plenty of postseason experience at all. With that said, there are a few options that could be exciting if the Celtics start the season slowly and need a scoring punch to supplement their depth chart.
Carmelo Anthony is one who has been talked about since August given his similar skillset to Danilo Gallinari. Kendrick Perkins endorsed the idea but it isn’t looking awfully likely that Melo will end up in Boston.
Someone that seems more likely, if only because Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens loves reunions, is the return of Isaiah Thomas. That’d be something that could only work if Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White play up a position, opening up the third PG role behind Marcus Smart and Payton Pritchard. Until IT calls it quits, expect Hardwood Houdini to call for his return.