While the absence of ex-Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving may detract from some drama in the Eastern Conference Finals, it didn’t slow the Celtics down en route to a convincing victory over his former team in Game 1 of the series on Sunday.
As a matter of fact, the Celtics have thrived despite the Irving injury all postseason thanks in no small part to the contributions of two other point guards on the roster.
In a starter’s workload this postseason, which includes 37.3 minutes per game, third-year guard Terry Rozier has averaged 18.2 points and 5.5 assists per game. The 24-year-old may not star alongside Nick Kroll in an upcoming feature film this June* like Irving will but he’s looked every bit as capable at the helm, piloting the C’s through two playoff series already.
Another major component at play this postseason, a third asset that rounds out Boston’s elite point guard depth chart, is Marcus Smart. While Smart’s playing style has always been unique, the 10.3 points and 4.4 assists per game that he brings along with his toughness and other intangibles, have made him invaluable.
Regardless of how the Celtics fare this postseason, they’ll happily welcome Irving, a bonafide star, back into the starter’s role next season. That, unsurprisingly, could put a squeeze on the rest of the players at the position. Sure, Smart’s role as a reserve combo guard allows him to slot in alongside Irving, but Rozier saw just 24.4 minutes of nightly action in the regular season prior to the opportunity created by Irving.
Our question for you this evening is which of the two guards you’d value more heading into the 2018 offseason?
Should the C’s make bringing restricted free agent Smart back this summer a top priority or could they get by with Rozier and another third-string guard? Alternatively, should Danny Ainge potentially look to deal Rozier instead given that there’s more of an overlap between him and Irving than there is between Smart and Irving?
Is there room for all three long-term?
Consider Boston’s success this postseason proof that a surplus of point guard talent is a pleasant conundrum to have. Weigh in with how you think the situation will develop below.
*Hi film studio, all commissions happily accepted.
Rozier can be a central part of a package for Kawhi, id definitely look into trading him. (Won’t be able to afford him in a few years anyways)
Why? I wish fans would get off the Kawhi trade. Especially for Rozier because then you have 4 wing players with three starting spots.
This is a big if, but if this team can win the finals, I’d keep Rozier and Smart, and maybe trade Irving for another star big man, whether another man to stretch the floor, or someone to put inside to dominate the whole floor. Whether that’s in the draft or already in the league would be interesting. Let’s say the suns trade the number one pick for Irving. Irving with booker on the suns and Ayton with the rest of the young core Celtics would be a league worth watching. But its a big if. If they don’t keep Irving and smart. Because let’s be honest Irving is the superstar version of Rozier.
How many small forwards do you want? Kawhi, Hayward, Tatum, Brown?
Keep scary Terry. Let Smart go.
They need to let Smart test the market and then decide if it’s worth matching. I can’t answer this question until I know the pricetag on Smart and the entirey of BOS’s off-season plans and UFA targets. It’s possible, albeit very unlikely, Smart rejects the RFA offers from crappy teams with cap space, decides to make a run at a championship and plays on the QO. Again not likely, but possible. He’s a nice player for 24 minutes/night but as we see in OKC with Roberson, he creates such a black hole on offense that he makes your team that much easier to defend.
Rozier is still on his rookie deal, so maybe a cap-strapped team like NOP, MKE, DET make a play for Rozier. Would MKE give up a future 1st to get him? Maybe. Otherwise, BOS doesn’t need to do anything with Terry.
Wtf is MKE supposed to be?
Milwaukee
^^^ Please “MIL” not “MKE” thanks
(Confusion zone)
vvv article has a KI movie mention
You didn’t even say the movie title, who would pay you anything lol
…
*Realizes why he never made it as a film critic*
Smart for the win, Rozier for Kurie security so expect both of them to be back next year. Anyone know how many years are left on the Morris twin’s contract? I like the edge he and Smart bring into the game with the 2d unit … although Danny’s saying nothing so far, he’s got that Cheshire Cat grin going whenever he’s asked about his post season plans. I dunno, this year seems to be THE YEAR to draft a BIG with something in the top 7 picks. Maybe Trader Dan is already working on a draft day deal as he’s still got the C’s 1st this and next year plus Sacramento’s 1st next year (unless the Shamrock makes up for past ping pong ball snafus and the Lakers hit their 2.8% chance of landing between 2 & 4). Personally, I think Danny wants IN this year with a top pick. Problem is which GM would be foolish enough to even take Danny’s call?
1 yr left
Need to keep Rozier. Kyrie is too injury prone. Going back in history at Duke, Cleveland Cavs, and This year with Celtics. Do not resign Marcus Smart. Still have Brown , and get 3 & D Combo guard on mid level exception on free agent market. Kyrie can close out a game and take the last shot. … Though he has his injury issues. Keep both Kyrie and Rozier. Just saying……
Smart for sure. He does things others don’t. TRIII Is amazing, but his skill set is redundant with Kyrie’s. 2 shoot first PGs with defensive limitations is not as productive as 1 (Kyrie) and an uber 6th man esque player like smart. I’d love to keep both, but we might not be able to keep either. Rozier is def. a starter in this league and will get paid as such. Cs can’t afford that. If Smart gets starter money he’s gone as well.
Hopefully they can trade Rozier for an asset and get a discount to sign smart. That’s the best case scenario
As a Pacers fan- we like the idea of Rozier being acquired…with the cap situation in Boston- I could see a Darren Collison & pick for Rozier working out…or Al Jefferson and Pick..although, that may be wishful thinknig
I don’t disagree with the intangibles that Smart Brings. The way the NBA is played today, it is positionless basketball. With a healthy Gordon Haywood, Kyrie, and new draft picks coming in for next year, the roster will change no doubt. There are several players who are assets on the roster, and could be traded. Danny has a lot to work with. . The roster and multiple draft picks are all available in the right deal. One thing for sure, Tatum is special and may be the steal of the draft. Got him and Philly draft pick. ….. Danny did some robbery/ hanky panky. Tatum and a future number one draft pick. Plenty of assets! Go Danny Go! Thanks, Basketball Geek
Rozier has more trade value, so he should lead to a center upgrade– Horford works at the 4. Match for Smart, it shouldn’t hurt that much and he is effective. Resist wasting time trying for Kawhi, he’s not coming to Boston and the 3 is filled.
It’s pretty comical how after one decent series against Philly, Marcus Smart is a must keep player. He is Bostons version of Lance Stepehson, he studied under his tutelage at the Lance Stephenson School of Floppery. Does anyone even remember Avery Bradley, soooooo much better than Smart and they dumped him for Morris. Smart is not a special player. He is very replaceable. Rozier has emerged as a potential plus player – one year, or month for that matter does not make a career. Either way look for them to draft a combo guard to replace Smart.
Tatum, Horford and Hayward are the longterm core. Kyrie and Rozier are FAs in 2019-20, Kyrie will opt out, basically a year to figure out who to max out. One may get dealt at the deadline next year.
They should deal Brown, and they should figure out a way to land Ayton using Brown. Bamba has a greater bust potential, Thabeet flashbacks.
Having seen how Terry Rozier is finishing this season, more importantly in the playoffs I would definately trade Kyrie, as mentioned he might anyway be only 1 more year, & as mentioned too he is very injury prone, I am not sure his knee is doing very well despite what everyone is saying… maybe to keep a high value in a trade. Right now Rozier is cheaper & much more keen to stay long term in Boston. So keep him, trade Kyrie.
I don’t hate this idea. Kyrie is getting a max deal and as much as I love Horford I’m not convinced his max deal will be worth the price when we have to sign guys like Brown, Tatum, Rozier in the not-so-distant future. I don’t think anybody thought Rozier had star potential but he’s producing like one. I think Rozier is an awesome guard in Brad’s system and we could get away with paying him less than Kyrie and have a better shot at retaining Tatum and Brown. Ideally I’d like to just keep this team together until they’re all 35 but whatever Danny decides to do I’m all in with him. He’s earned that trust. I definitely still would love to keep Smart and I hope he’s not asking for $20mil+. I’d gladly give him $10-$15mil/season in this new structure of contracts over 3-5 years and have him be an absolute menace. Its those types of players that can be the difference maker in tight games and in the playoffs… just look at this year for plenty of examples already. I just hope that his motor doesn’t stop if he ever gets paid or learns to shoot.
Trade Hayward and Boston 1st for Kawhi. Trade Laker/Sixer/Kings 1st, Memphis 1st, and Clippers 1st for Ayton or Bagley. Let Smart go. He’s going to cost too much. A rotation of Kyrie, Rozier, Brown, Tatum, Kawhi, Horford, Morris, and Ayton or Bagley sounds like a winner to me.
Longer term (like after next year) they can’t keep all their prime rotation players (without focusing just on the so-called “PGs”) unless they go deep into the luxury tax, which they’ve avoided in the past.
BUT they can keep all 3 next year, without luxury tax, IF Smart comes in around 10 mm. And I think they should, as a hedge in part, but also because they can all play together. After next year, decisions will need to be made every summer. In 2019, KI and Horford have player options, with KI looking for a significant increase of about 10 mm (meaning 3 guys over 30 mm), and Rozier will be an RFA. So, yeah, from an asset standpoint you can get more if you deal Rozier in advance of that, but is the difference significant enough to rely on KI to stay healthy and not look to leave at year’s end?