At Summer League in Las Vegas, Josh Minott discussed his decision to sign with the Boston Celtics. He told Hardwood Houdini, "I just need the opportunity to get the chance to prove who I am and show what I can do."
He figures to get that opportunity for a team that underwent a dramatic roster makeover due to the punitive nature of the collective bargaining agreement.
The 22-year-old's defense is already impressing new teammate Derrick White. On that end of the floor, the six-foot-eight forward with a seven-foot wingspan has the length, athleticism, and motor to make an impact on the perimeter and as a weak-side rim protector.
He can also help to address concerns about how the Celtics will fare on the glass without Jayson Tatum. If Minott becomes a rotation regular, he could also debunk the primary concern about his game on offense.
Josh Minott might be a better shooter than meets the eye
The former Minnesota Timberwolves wing was among those discussed by John Hollinger of The Athletic in a recent piece about who he deems hinge players.
The former vice president of basketball operations for the Memphis Grizzlies describes that as "players who are interesting enough to possibly make a real impact this season, but have also shown enough warts that we can't take this possibility for granted."
Regarding Minott, Hollinger noted, "Little snippets from his time in Minnesota indicate that he might deliver. Minott came into the league with a reputation as a non-shooter, but he attempted a 3-pointer every 6.4 minutes in his limited playing time last season. Between the NBA and the G League, he's shot 85.2 percent from the line for his career. We're likely to get a much larger shooting sample this season, but it seems likely he can make enough 3s to be viable on the perimeter."
That the former Memphis Tigers standout is a willing three-point shooter is surely music to the ears of his new head coach, Joe Mazzulla. That attempt rate and his success at the free-throw line are more meaningful gauges of what Minott might blossom into from behind the arc than merely looking at his raw numbers.
The three-year veteran is a career 33.9 percent three-point shooter. However, that's on only 0.6 attempts in 5.0 minutes of playing time. Trying to extrapolate too much from that or how he fared overall in a single season is misguided.
Minott can also make an impact with his cutting, his off-ball movement, and by generating second-chance opportunities. Plus, he should help boost Boston's transition attack.
However, shooting is a swing skill that can raise his ceiling. It could make him one of this offseason's more valuable signings and an important part of the Celtics' future.