Celtics point guard Terry Rozier has been unhappy with his playing time so far this season, according to Bill Simmons of The Ringer (Twitter link). Simmons suggests that word of Rozier’s discontent has “gotten around the league,” and that a trade of the 2019 free-agent-to-be may be necessary.
Simmons isn’t an NBA reporter in the traditional sense, but he’s plugged in, particularly in Boston, so there’s no reason to believe his intel is off here. Rozier himself admitted earlier in the season that his fluid role off the Celtics’ bench was “not the easiest” to embrace, and a report prior to last month’s rookie scale extension deadline suggested that Rozier would likely seek the “minutes and money” of a starter on his next contract
Last season, Rozier averaged 25.9 minutes per game during the regular season for the Celtics before playing an impressive 36.6 MPG during the postseason when Kyrie Irving was unavailable. With Irving and Marcus Smart both fully healthy so far this season, Rozier has seen his role reduced — he’s averaging 22.7 MPG through 10 games and has struggled to make an impact, with 7.5 PPG on 35.5% shooting.
Irving has verbally committed to re-signing with the Celtics and Smart is in the first year of a long-term deal, so the C’s may not be willing to invest heavily in a third point guard when Rozier reaches restricted free agency next summer. Still, the club will control the process and would have the opportunity to match any offer Rozier receives, potentially with an eye toward trading him later. As such, a deal before February’s deadline is far from a sure thing.
If the Celtics do make Rozier available, the Suns are one team that would have interest. An October report indicated that Phoenix would have “loved” to acquire Rozier during the offseason, as both Ryan McDonough and new interim GM James Jones attempted to make a deal. However, he was viewed at the time as “very unlikely” to be traded.
The Suns are hardly the only team that would be interested in landing Rozier. Shams Charania of The Athletic hears from sources that at least seven clubs around the NBA have been monitoring the situation and waiting to see if the Celtics will begin fielding trade calls on their backup point guard. For now, Charania notes, Boston seems happy with its roster.
Play better.
Kyrie is leaving Boston Terry just sit back and let the Raptors eat them alive in the playoffs. Danny will force Kyrie to go sign with the Knicks after he low-balls him with a 100 million dollar offer.
i agree, i dont think kyrie is as committed as they say. just needed to quiet the talks during the season.
I keep telling people a lot can change from now till May. Boston does not matchup with Toronto at all, Toronto has better bigs and arguably a better bench. Not to mention Kawhi Leonard is a game changer and would be the best player in a series between the two.
Kyrie will join Porzingis next summer and Knicks will be top 3 in the East and become a contender.
Kyrie-Tim-Knox-Porzingis-Robinson
Toronto also runs through gsw this year. I’ve been saying all along
Something about Siakam just tells me he’s going to be an absolute terror for opponents. He’s an athletic specimen with playmaking ability and can guard practically every position on the court.
Also forgot, KD.
hahahaha. Thanks I had a long day and needed that.
Lol
Dude, this tune is getting old.
Boston has up to 4 1st round picks next summer. Go ahead and add another.
Kyrie will re sign. He needs the money to pay the $25,000 fines for throwing the ball in the stands. He’s back now, he’s been scoring over 20 a game. Hayward isn’t ready yet though. Trade Rozier to Phoenix for a 1st and bring back Shane Larkin.
Kyrie for Butler. Straight up.
With Kyrie’s injury history. It just doesn’t make sense for the Celtics to trade Rozier unless it’s for a high pick.
Trade him to the knicks
Rozier is averaging 12 points and 3 assists a game per 36 minutes and shooting 35 percent from the field. If he is crying, he should stop.
I think he’s getting sufficient minutes. I think Stevens has gone with smaller lineups overall in order to get all of his perimeter guys sufficient minutes. He’s not going to get starter minutes with this group when all are healthy, but he had to know that going into the season (the math isn’t that difficult).
Maybe Rozier to Cavs for Zizic and a draft pick?
I do not believe Kyrie is as committed as the article suggest. I would love to see the C’s trade him for a pick or two down the line, keep this train rolling for years to come. Get something for him before we end up with nothing. Rozier, please be patient. Your time is coming.