Ex-Boston Celtics champion PG and long-time exec sends mixed messages on Cs bench

A former two-time Boston Celtics champion point guard and long-time exec sent mixed messages on the C’s second unit.

Former Boston Celtics GM and championship point guard, and current Utah Jazz President, Danny Ainge, sent mixed messages on the C’s second unit — saying, a few sentences apart during an interview on the NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics Pregame Live show that he worries about the team’s defense if a starter goes down, but that he likes the roster “a lot.”

“They have shooting, maybe the best shooting in the NBA,” Ainge said (h/t NBC Sports Boston). “You do worry about the defense a little bit, if they have an injury somewhere.

“I do like their bench, their depth, their size. They are never too small because Tatum and Brown are good sized for a three and a four [small forward and power forward] or a two and a three [shooting guard and small forward]. I like their team, a lot.”

A lot besides the defense in the second unit, presumably.

Don’t be surprised if Boston Celtics opt for internal improvement over splashy signing or trade

The Celtics’ 128-111 win over the Orlando Magic on December 15 felt like a turning of the corner for Boston, who got shockingly impactful contributions from fill-in center Lamar Stevens — who was stepping up in the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet –, Oshae Brissett, and Payton Pritchard.

Given the lack of an obvious defensive candidate available in free agency, the cost it’d take to land a true needle-mover, and the underrated man defense Sam Hauser provides that is often overlooked, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Brad Stevens guarantee Stevens’ and Kornet’s contracts, while possibly cutting Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and converting Neemias Queta’s two-way deal to a guaranteed one.

A Celtics team that’s firing on all cylinders by February is one unlikely to make dramatic changes, so if the winning keeps up, the improvement may come internally as opposed to from the free agent or trade markets.

 

Fan favorite return long-desired by Boston Celtics fans may be possible with big sacrifice

Mar 9, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Isaiah Thomas (4) before the / Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Chowder and Champions’ Devon Platana believes that a significant financial sacrifice from Isaiah Thomas — in the form of the guard taking a 10-day contract — could facilitate a return to the Boston Celtics that fans have been clamoring for since 2017.

“The Celtics do have one roster spot remaining and I doubt Thomas would command anything more than a veteran minimum deal at this stage of his career,” Platana prefaced before saying, “He’s also signed five 10-day contracts since 2021, meaning he might be open to another one if Brad Stevens needs a sample size before committing for the rest of the campaign.”

Thomas recently told Forbes’ Mat Issa that he’s still working out and staying ready for his chance at an NBA return.

“I’m still trying to play the game of basketball,” Thomas prefaced before saying, “I want to get back to the NBA. So, I’m still working out and staying ready.”

Isaiah Thomas would be play muted role on current-day Boston Celtics
The emotional high of having IT back in the locker room would not be lost on Jaylen Brown, and everyone else who wasn’t part of the team would very quickly understand Thomas’ importance to the TD Garden faithful.

The pomp and pageantry of Thomas in a Celtics uniform would be unmatched. That first make for the five-foot-nine Messiah would hit like an ice cold glass of water at 3 am. But Thomas wouldn’t play a major role on the current-day Cs.

Payton Pritchard’s development is paramount for a team that needs cost-controlled talent, and Pritchard’s wrapping up his fourth season in a Celtics jersey; a longer tenure than what Thomas had in Boston. When the playoffs come around, he may even be glued to the pine, but he needs regular-season reps.

Thomas returning would be a great story, but it wouldn’t define the Celtics’ season by any stretch.