Kemba Walker is sidelined until at least January, as Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge confirmed to reporters last week. After receiving a stem cell injection in his left knee, Walker has been placed on a 12-week strengthening program.
Walker missed 10 games between January and March due to complications from the knee injury. He entered the Orlando bubble on a minutes restriction and never got back to 100% following the season restart.
After a shortened offseason, the 30-year-old Walker needs more time to recover. Ainge believes “this year will tell us a lot more” about Walker’s injury, which dates back to May 2017 when he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery.
Along with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Walker was one of three Celtics to average 20+ points per game last season. His 20.4 points and 4.8 assists will be difficult to replace.
With their starting point guard unavailable, here are seven Celtics entering the new season with meaningful playmaking roles:
Marcus Smart
It’s hard to believe that Smart, the longest-tenured Celtic, is still only 26 years old. The two-time All-Defensive First-Teamer is widely regarded as the heart and soul of the team. He viciously locks down opponents and sets the tone for Boston’s physical defense.
After beginning last season as Boston’s sixth man, Marcus Smart wound up starting in 40 regular season games and 16-of-17 playoff games due to injuries to Walker and Gordon Hayward.
Though Smart lacks shooting consistency, he recorded career-highs in points (12.9), assists (4.9), 3PM (2.3) and FT% (.836) last season. Smart also led the team in assists.
The streaky shooter knocked down at least four 3-pointers in 19 games (including playoffs). Last January, he drilled a franchise-record 11 3-pointers against the Suns.
Boston’s unofficial captain can defend any position. He masterfully fights through screens and relentlessly pressures opposing ball handlers. When forced to switch, Smart’s tenacity allows him to physically outwork taller competition.
The underrated two-way playmaker also makes some awesome lob passes.
Smart’s role for the Celtics is constantly evolving, but his value is unmistakable. If he avoids getting too trigger-happy with contested off-balance shots, Smart could flourish in the starting lineup while Kemba Walker is out.
Jeff Teague
The Celtics’ newest addition may be the player most impacted by the Kemba Walker injury. Jeff Teague opens the season as Boston’s primary backup point guard. The 12th-year veteran immediately inherits a leading role for the second unit.
Ainge inking Teague to a one-year deal makes a lot of sense. The Celtics needed a reliable playmaker and Teague has been a thorn in their side for years.
https://twitter.com/EvGuyBoston/status/1334157418910130178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Teague averaged 13.2 points and 6.1 assists for Minnesota last season before being traded back to Atlanta, where he spent the first seven years of his career.
The 32-year-old former All-Star is past his prime, but still a model of consistency. He averaged 10+ points in each of his last nine seasons and fits nicely into Stevens’ rotation as a veteran leader and solid playmaker.
It is possible that Teague could even temporarily start if Stevens elects to keep Smart in the sixth-man role. But the more likely scenario is that Smart opens the season as the starting point guard with Teague as one of the first players off the Celtics bench.
Jaylen Brown & Jayson Tatum
Boston’s budding stars and franchise cornerstones will continue growing and taking on larger roles for the Celtics. As the team’s best overall players, the Jays face the challenge of shouldering the offensive load without Kemba Walker.
Both Brown and Tatum averaged 20+ points last season, but opponents will be keying on them without Walker and Hayward there to help stretch opposing defenses. Walker and Hayward accounted for 37.9 points and 8.9 assists per game last season.
The young dynamic duo is ready for the challenge. After Tatum’s massive payday this offseason and Brown’s extension last year, the future of the franchise is in good hands.
Tatum made his first All-Star team last season and Brown just narrowly missed out. Expect them both to earn All-Star recognition this season while posting new career-high scoring marks.
Payton Pritchard
The #26 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft gets an immediate opportunity to showcase his skills. Payton Pritchard is competing for the third-string point guard role and won the Bob Cousy Award as the nation’s top collegiate point guard in his senior year at Oregon last season.
After Tyler Herro scorched the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, it’s no surprise that Ainge drafted a dynamic playmaking guard with limitless shooting range.
The 6’1” Pritchard may not have Herro’s size or athleticism, but he provides a similar skillset and confidence. As detailed by The Lead’s Barrett Hodgson, Pritchard should help address several of Boston’s biggest needs, namely bench scoring.
The Celtics tied the Trail Blazers for the lowest-scoring bench (26.5 points) in the league last season. Adding two elite rookie sharpshooters in Pritchard and Aaron Nesmith provides a nice boost in firepower for the Celtics’ bench.
https://twitter.com/taylorcsnow/status/1329279166253064195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
COVID-19 Considerations
It is worth noting that after the NBA shutdown last season, rookies like Herro were able to flourish in the unique fan-less basketball environment. Some people around the league believe that environment to have enabled some fluke-like results in the playoffs.
But when the NBA season tips off this month, most fans still won’t be allowed to attend games. This increases the likelihood that Pritchard may receive ample playing time and quickly become one of many young players around the league taking on significant roles.
This possibility is especially true if any teams experience COVID-19 outbreaks as we’ve seen in the NFL, which further opens the door for reserve players who would otherwise be buried in the depth chart.
Additionally, the NBA may expand the active player list for games from 13 to 15 this season due to heightened concerns about the virus’ impact on team rosters.
Tremont Waters
The #51 pick in the 2019 Draft played in just 11 games for the Celtics, but won G League Rookie of the Year after a tremendous season for the Maine Red Claws. Tremont Waters averaged 18 points and 7.3 assists for the Red Claws while shooting 43% on the season.
The undersized 5’10” guard was a stellar two-way playmaker in the G League, averaging 1.9 steals per game. Waters has worked tirelessly this offseason to take another step forward and earn a full-time spot on the Celtics roster.
After starring for the Red Claws and previously at LSU, Waters will look to continue developing at the NBA level. With Kemba Walker sidelined for the foreseeable future, Waters could get the opportunity for consistent minutes early in the season.
https://twitter.com/CourtsideFilms/status/1304447320222728192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Carsen Edwards
This may be the last opportunity for Carsen Edwards to prove himself in Boston. Edwards had a disappointing rookie year last season, struggling to adjust to the speed and physicality of NBA competition.
The #33 pick in the 2019 Draft played remarkably during last year’s summer league and preseason before spending most of the year in the G League, where he was outshined by Waters.
But don’t be surprised if Edwards looks like a different player this season as he attempts to re-establish himself as the explosive scorer he was at Purdue.
Standing just 5’11”, Edwards relies on quickness and sharpshooting to generate scoring opportunities. In his second NBA season, he could regain his confidence during Walker’s absence.
There is no way to tell whether Kemba Walker will get back to 100% this season, but there is still plenty to be hopeful for with this young, dynamic Celtics team.
Look for Boston’s young players to step up and build on last season’s Conference Finals appearance as the Celtics seek to get back into the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.
Follow us on Twitter @CelticsLead for the latest Celtics news and insight.
Leave a comment