In the 2022 NBA Finals versus the Warriors, the Boston Celtics went 9-deep with players logging double-digit minutes. That ninth man, Daniel Theis is no longer on the roster, and Malcolm Brogdon has been added.. Golden State went 8-deep (double-digit minutes), and this season they without one-of-the-eight, Gary Payton II.
Assuming The Green are back in the post-season fight once again, how does their playoff rotation look?
Jayson Tatum
Jaylen Brown
Marcus Smart
Rob Williams
Al Horford
Derrick White
Malcolm Brogdon
After these seven players, things get murky for the Celtics. Trade rumors centered on Boston often involve an additional big man, and that makes sense right now - but it would have to be a big that will get to play significant minutes in the post season.
The trend thus far has been that Payton Pritchard either plays few minutes - or never sees the floor - if Smart, White and Brogdon are all healthy. Grant Williams? He only averaged 17 minutes, 4.2 points and 2.3 rebounds per game against Golden State in last season's Finals.
If a trade occurs in the remaining two days, Grant Williams may be the odd man out. Jazz big man, Kelly Olynyk, can do what Grant supplies - and then some. His toughness and defense have always been questioned, but at 6'11", 240 pounds, he has the height and bulk to deal with the likes of Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo and nikola Jokic.
A package of Grant Williams, Sam Hauser and Danilo Gallinari works on the ESPN Trade Machine in exchange for the Canadian big man, and it may enough to tempt the guy that originally drafted Olynyk in the first place, Utah Head Honcho, Danny Ainge.
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