The Boston Celtics are showing their depth in the opening thirty days of basketball. Despite losing veterans like Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Jrue Holiday, the Celtics’ offseason signings are holding their own. Their three important signings are playing well for a team with playoff aspirations.
Which Celtics Signing Stands Out After First Month Of Basketball?
This past offseason, Boston offloaded some big money to decrease their salary cap penalties. Fortunately, their savings still enabled them to field a competitive team one month into the season—the signings of Josh Minott as a forward and Luka Garza and Chris Boucher as big men. Each has been a positive contributor with the playing time they’ve received.
Josh Minott
As a second-round pick, Minott is getting his first taste in the starting rotation. He joined the Celtics on a two-year deal, with a team option for year two, after spending three years in Minnesota. He is having multiple career highs playing for Joe Mazzulla so far this year. This should not come as a shock when a player jumps from six minutes to twenty minutes per game. In his first fourteen appearances, Minott has started in nine games for the Celtics. He is playing superb, team-style basketball, whether he starts or not. However, in his starts, he has shown himself to be an impactful defensive player and plays an effective role on the offensive end.
Luka Garza
Garza, another second-round guy, signed a two-year deal with Boston in July. The big man has had an increased role with his new team. The Celtics’ offseason signing is showing everyone how he earned the backup center role. Grabbing rebounds while attempting open three-pointers has benefited Boston’s offensive firepower. Even if he misses his jumper, his efficient game inside the arc and defensive versatility earn him his playing time.
Chris Boucher
Boucher, an eight-year veteran, signed a one-year minimum contract to join Boston in August. He has appeared in nearly half of the Celtics’ games played to this point in the season. And in nearly eleven minutes per contest, he is showing his worth as a role player in this league. Boucher had many fruitful seasons as a bench player throughout his career, so he should be able to fit well on Boston’s bench throughout the season.
Minott Stands Out Above The Rest
The Celtics’ offseason signing that stands out above the rest is clearly Josh Minott. The new addition to the starting lineup is having an eventful start to the season. He has started in more than half the games and was the team’s leading rebounder on three separate occasions.
Though Garza is second in offensive rebounds and Boucher is third in blocks on the team, Minott has shown out as a starter. A Boston team trying to hold onto playoff positioning as they await the return of their superstar, Jayson Tatum, will need contributions from these role players and others. Minott will need to continue to step up if the Celtics are hopeful to make any postseason noise.
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