The Celtics are set to kick off their preseason Friday night with a two-game series against the Nuggets in Abu Dhabi that will give look at a few new faces including Lonnie Walker. Let’s take a deep dive into some bench storylines to begin the year along with a closer look at Boston’s first round pick. If you have questions about the Celtics or NBA, email brobb@masslive.com or tweet @briantrobb
Do you think Lonnie Walker ultimately makes the team? — John C
It’s hard to make any grand assessments on this before we even kicked off the preseason games but I think it’s a long shot he makes the roster as currently composed. There’s just not a lot of incentive for the Celtics to carry a 15th player on the roster out of the gate for financial reasons and flexibility options. Currently, even Walker on a minimum deal would cost Boston at least three times that much with repeater tax penalties.
There’s also the reality that he doesn’t play a position of need right now for this roster. Joe Mazzulla is certainly going to be looking deeper into the bench to begin the year with Kristaps Porzingis out and Al Horford missing some games. There are a number of guys above him in the pecking order right now on Boston’s bench and make more sense positionally for what Mazzulla needs. He has three terrific backcourt options right now (Holiday, White, Pritchard) and those guys just don’t miss many games.
If the Celtics weren’t so deep into the tax, I’d like Walker’s odds more. Currently, he’s going to have to wow everyone to give himself a shot at sticking.
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Will Lonnie Walker be a rotational player on the team? —Chris L
I’ll say this: If Walker makes the team, he is going to play as a 10th/11th guy on the roster. There is a scenario where Walker plays so well in camp and in the preseason that he’s worth making room for. Would Boston trade away Jaden Springer to give Walker his spot? Unlikely given the draft capital Boston gave up for Springer last year at the trade deadline but that path feels more likely than Walker sticking as a 15th guy at this point. It’s tougher now for Boston to do any type of in-season salary dumps (can’t send out cash in trades now as a second apron team) so Boston will need to use pick(s) as sweetener in any deal. Wrinkles like that make me think if Walker is here, he’s one of 14 guys. The more probable scenario for him? Spending some time with the Maine Celtics and being on Boston’s radar for a midseason deal after the trade deadline.
Hey Brobb
Just wondering how the youngsters are doing in training camp; aka Springer, Walsh and Scheierman. I’m particularly curious with springer because in theory Lonnie Walker should absolutely take his spot but I know there’s a ton of upside with springers defense. So is there a chance springer beats out Lonnie and actually gets some minutes this year? I really think springer and/or Walker can take a ton of Jrue’s minutes to keep him fresh for playoffs. I think it’d be smart to give Jrue games off especially on some back to back nights. I also am kind of assuming Walsh will have another year up in Maine but curious what you think. Thanks as always -Sean D
Great question Sean and not just because it creates a seamless transition. The belief here is the intriguing competition during camp will be Springer vs. Scheierman, not because they play similar positions but since they are going to be the main candidates for minutes on shorthanded nights. Springer has the defensive upside but is a non-shooter. Scheierman has the offensive upside but lacks experience to go with his defensive question marks. Can either of those guys stand out from the deep bench back to make Joe Mazzulla turn to them confidently on nights Boston is down a couple starters? It’s worth watching closely in the preseason to find out.
Springer did play some rotation minutes in Philadelphia last year so he’s got some real experience in the league. Keeping Holiday’s minutes down should be a big priority all year long so Springer showing himself capable of handling 10-15 minutes would be notable. Scheierman wouldn’t take any of Holiday’s minutes but could allow Brown to play smaller (as a shooting guard) with some bench units. Walsh definitely looks like he needs more seasoning in Maine after Summer League and he will need to have a good showing up there to keep his roster spot with a non-guaranteed contract looming next year.
Hello Brian. Can any young players earn rotation minutes in preseason since KP will be out? -Csfan
Absolutely. Joe Mazzulla knows this season is a marathon and will be looking for ways to take some onus of his veterans while instilling confidence in his young talent. Whether it is Neemias Queta pushing the other backup bigs for minutes on nights Porzingis/Horford are out or Baylor Scheierman’s offensive versatility translating nicely next to Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard, chances are going to be there for 4-5 guys in this group in the preseason. Ultimately, I’d expect 1-2 guys to emerge from the pack of Walsh, Springer, Scheierman and Queta to be in the mix when the team is without two regular rotation players.
So we know the core guys. Who does it look like is going to step things up a notch and get some playing time that we don’t expect? — Steve
It’s tough to effectively gauge this before the preseason games begin but my gut says one of Springer or Scheierman emerge from the pack. Both of those guys have weaknesses but they could be masked by a strong second unit around them. Springer needs to be a defensive menace if he wants to break into this type of role and take some pressure off Boston’s starting backcourt. Meanwhile, Scheierman’s offensive track record in college speaks for itself. If Boston can get even a fraction of that, he is well positioned to be a wildcard option for Mazzulla to call on.
