An injured right wrist may keep Celtics rookie Romeo Langford out of the playoffs, writes Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston. Coach Brad Stevens said Langford suffered torn ligaments in his shooting wrist Thursday during the team’s final seeding game.
“He will probably have to do something about [the injury] at some time. But we’re still going through the process of determining the next step with him,” Stevens told reporters today. “I don’t know if that means that, down the road, he’ll have to take time off, if that means he’ll have to have it worked on, but they’re determining and we’re still in the process of determining how he feels and whether or not he’ll be available or not.”
Forsberg notes that injuries have been a frequent issue for Langford, who played with an injured thumb last season at Indiana University. He had surgery on the thumb that forced him to miss the start of training camp and sat out 13 total games this year as a result of a sore right knee, a right ankle sprain and an illness.
Langford still showed some promise during his first NBA season, particularly during the seeding games, and Stevens suggested that he might have seen regular minutes in the playoffs.
“He’d be better able to answer the emotional roller coaster you go on when you experience those injuries and those setbacks, and it’s always been significant enough that it’s been at least a portion of time, not just a day here or there. So that stinks,” Stevens said. “I feel for him. He is a hard-working guy, he’s a tough guy, and I think he’s got a bright, bright future. Again, I hope that he’s able to play, but that’s going to be totally dependent on our doctors, and dependent on his, probably, pain. So he’s going to have to test that and get used to it and see what it feels like. If not, then we’ll have him back when we have him back.”
He hasn’t really played much. Came out young. In college I saw a scorer with good size at SG. I liked his gm. He might be better off going somewhere else. With Jalen and Smart here.
He is skilled. Hayward won’t be back after next year, so that’s 35 minutes up for grabs right there.
You think Hayward’s going to opt out of his $35M option? Personally I don’t… I think maybe there was a chance before the pandemic and it’s effect on the salary cap… but I think Hayward will wind up sticking around for another year in Boston. There’s also a chance they wind up working out an extension with him — that pays him less than the $35M he’d make next year… but tacks on another 2 years or so for a total of like $75M over 3. Could he get more on the open market? possibly — and if he can and that’s what he wants to do that’s fine too. But I think at this point there’s a better shot of him being back next season one way or another.
Actually… I want to take back what I said about the amount/years for a possible extension. I didn’t realize he’s only 29/30 — so if he were to sign an extension it would probably be for at least 3 more years (4-total)… and on that note — he could definitely get more than 3/$75M on the open market. having said all of that though… I still think he winds up back with the C’s next year either via his $35M option. Or some sort of extension… though to be honest — I wouldn’t exactly be devastated if he did leave… I do think he’s still a very good player and solid overall fit for the team… I think they have more important guys who need to be resigned going forward so if they need the $… I’d be okay with them letting him go.
Yeah bro I agree. He ain’t giving up that salary. Probably gets moved though. Has an expiring contract. Definitely by deadline.
What i saw from him in college was an inefficient scorer that could only drive to the right.
His thumb injury had a lot to do with your first critique
I think he still has a chance to develop into a decent player — but as far as right now is concerned… I wasn’t really expecting/wanting to see much (if any) serious minutes in the playoffs anyway. So I don’t think this is really a big deal one way or another for the C’s. Hopefully he can get healthy and have a full camp before next season – and maybe he’ll wind up surprising us and becoming a legit rotation player — but for this year… I don’t really think he was going to play much going forward anyway.
I saw a scorer. Good mechanics good athlete. With his size at SG he can be a starter (6’6”). He’s Jaylens size.
He’s got some nice defensive skills as well.