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How the Celtics Might Go About Filling Final Roster Spot
The Celtics have one opening left on their roster, plus a two-way deal they can offer. After signing Svi Mykhailiuk last week, Boston is complicit with the NBA's requirement for teams to carry a minimum of 14 full-time players in the regular season, meaning it can stand pat.
The C's are $2.2 million below the second apron, per Spotrac. That's also a figure they don't have to fret about if they want to capitalize on the league allowing teams to house 21 players through training camp and the preseason.
Taking advantage of that is a way to add individuals with the intention of getting them to their G League team.
While someone could come to camp with that expectation and earn a full-time roster spot or a two-way deal, the move that would be best for Boston is bringing back Blake Griffin.
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Since teams can sign veterans with at least three years of experience to one-year, minimum-salary contracts while having it only count for $2,019,706 against the salary cap, the Celtics could sign the six-time All-Star and remain under the second apron.
However, a reunion between the two seems less likely than not at the moment.
And while intriguing options like Kelly Oubre and Usman Garuba remain available, Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe reports the C's have no imminent plans to fill their final roster vacancy.
The benefit to remaining patient is it becomes easier and less costly to sign someone cut by another franchise during the preseason rather than doling out guaranteed money to add multiple players between now and the start of the regular season.
Himmelsbach also notes the Celtics might aim to bolster their front-court depth or sign someone considered more of a prospect they want to work with if they address the last remaining opening on their roster.
As previously explored, a player matching both descriptions who may fall victim to the Oklahoma City Thunder's numbers crunch is six-foot-nine power forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.
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The former Villanova Wildcat was the 32nd pick of the 2021 draft. He turns 23 in November and offers plenty of upside, which is why his current team may not be willing to part with him.
But if Robinson-Earl gets squeezed out of Oklahoma City and finds his way to Boston, he'd provide the latter with a high-IQ player who brings value on both sides of the ball.
Defensively, he's capable of guarding multiple positions effectively. Offensively, Robinson-Earl sees the floor well and is an effective cutter.
He averaged 7.2 points per game his first two years in the NBA and made 35.2 percent of his 3.4 three-point attempts as a rookie, demonstrating the potential to develop into a reliable stretch-four. He's also a contributor on the glass, grabbing 5.6 rebounds in 22.2 minutes in the 2021-22 campaign and 4.2 per contest in 18.9 minutes last season.
He's a prime example of how the Celtics could parlay patience into the chance to work with a talented player who's at the backend of their roster this season but has the potential to earn a rotation spot in the future.
Further Reading
The Latest on Blake Griffin's Future with Celtics
Tyrese Haliburton Explains Why He Has Celtics Matchup Circled
Celtics Sign Sharpshooter Svi Mykhailiuk
Brad Stevens Discusses Differences in Joe Mazzulla Entering Year 2 as Celtics' Head Coach
Brad Stevens Discusses Kristaps Porzingis' Role with Celtics, Provides Rehab Update
Kristaps Porzingis Speaks on Recovery from Foot Injury: 'I Couldn't Get Rid of the Inflammation'
Here's What to Know About Celtics' 2023-24 Schedule
Examining How Celtics' Starting Lineup Might Shapeshift This Season
Why Celtics Should Enter 2023-24 Season Optimistic About Most Important Area of Improvement
