Here’s the Celtics’ biggest remaining roster need, per Brad Stevens originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Brad Stevens seems pleased with the Boston Celtics’ roster at the moment, and with good reason.
The Celtics won nine of their last 10 games entering the NBA All-Star break and have won 17 of their last 21 games after finally getting their core group healthy. Recent NBA trade deadline addition Derrick White looks like a solid long-term addition to that core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Robert Williams, who are all under contract through at least 2024.
No roster is perfect, though, and there’s one area where Stevens would like to improve Boston’s depth, whether that’s on the buyout market or in free agency.
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“We have pretty good depth down the line with ballhandlers. We have pretty good depth with the addition of (Luke) Kornet and (Daniel) Theis with our bigs,” the Celtics’ president of basketball operations told MassLive.com’s Brian Robb in a recent interview. “We want to make sure we are as fortified in the wing area and specifically in versatile wings that can guard a number of positions and can be 3-and-D type plug-in players. I think that’s really important.”
While the C’s have two star wings in Tatum and Brown, they’re a bit thin behind the Jays after dealing Josh Richardson and Romeo Langford at the deadline. Grant Williams has been an excellent 3-point shooter (44.6%) but has been used more as a stretch four, while Aaron Nesmith is averaging just 10.8 minutes per game.
The Celtics did sign two forwards to 10-day contracts in Malik Fitts and Kelan Martin, but neither player has much NBA experience. So, the C’s still could be in the market for wing depth if Fitts and/or Martin doesn’t pan out.
“Both of those guys are big, strong guys that can guard a number of positions and that are hungry,” Stevens said.
Boston clearly is prioritizing outside shooters (the team still ranks 21st in the NBA in 3-point percentage) and versatile defenders to add to a group that boasts the league’s third-best defense.
Stevens also wants any addition to be a good chemistry fit, though, and is wary of disrupting what the Celtics have going right now.
“I think one of the things I’m really alert to as we figure out how to fortify the roster with our biggest needs is those guys that are going to be able to add to the environment because the environment is really good right now,” Stevens said. “Everybody is pulling in a good direction. Our focus right now is on wings and we will see where the rest of the 22 games take us.”
If the C’s identify a player on the buyout market who’s a strong 3-point shooter, plus defender and a good locker room guy, there’s a chance they scoop him up before the March 1 deadline. If not, expect this roster to remain intact for the stretch run.
