Boston Celtics return for aging former five-time All-NBAer ‘less likely than not’

A Boston Celtics return for aging veteran Blake Griffin, whose game has aged like fine wine far more so than milk, is “less likely than not” as the front office looks to find a contract holder for their final roster spot according to Inside The Celtics’ Bobby Krivitsky.

“As the Celtics weigh their options for whether to fill their 15th roster spot and or last two-way vacancy and how they might do so, it seems less likely than not that Blake Griffin will return for a second stint in Boston,” Krivitsky wrote. Boston is among several teams in on Lamar Stevens, who could be a potential final roster spot filler himself.

“Free agent swingman Lamar Stevens has drawn interest from several teams, including the Celtics, Timberwolves, Rockets, and Heat, HoopsHype has learned,” HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported on September 13.

The Boston Celtics could have all they need after offseason overhaul

Quietly, the Boston Celtics had one of the bigger offseason overhauls. The Kristaps Porzingis-Marcus Smart swap was obviously the major rotation-changer, but the loss of Grant Williams and the signings of Oshae Brissett and Dalano Banton could provide the team with the very needs analysts believe the Cs still have.

Brissett played himself into the Indiana Pacers starting lineup during the 2021-22 season due to the occasional offensive outburst, and Banton provides intriguing length and defensive versatility at the point guard spot standing at six-foot-nine.

Of course, projecting these two to be contributors is too optimistic for reality, but writing off the potential they do solve the C’s needs is also a fool’s errand.

If the Celtics don’t feel their needs are met with Banton or Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, who signed a non-guaranteed deal over the offseason, both could be cut with limited financial penalties. Brad Stevens has maintained enough flexibility to continue making minor, but shrewd, moves in the trade and free agent markets.