The Celtics would like to retain both Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier next season as they look to maintain depth, sources tell Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. While the franchise would like to bring everyone back, GM Danny Ainge acknowledged that tough decisions could be on the horizon.
“We’ve been managing the payroll pretty well up to this point and we know that there are some really big, tough decisions going forward,” Ainge said.
[RELATED: Will Marcus Smart Be A Celtic Next Season?]
Here’s more from Washburn on the Celtics:
- Shane Larkin, who will be an unrestricted free agent, will likely command a multiyear offer, as other teams will see him as a player who could hold down the backup point guard spot, Washburn speculates. The scribe adds that Larkin could see a substantial raise on his 2017/18 salary, which came in at slightly more than $1.47MM.
- The market for Smart will be difficult to predict, Washburn contends in the same piece. The Celtics are expected to allow Smart, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, to find an offer and evaluate whether or not it makes sense to match.
- If the Celtics are going to bring Aron Baynes back, they may have to use their mid-level exception since they do not own his Bird Rights, Washburn notes. The scribe argues that the team should attempt to sell Baynes on a one-year discounted deal with the lure of playing for a serious championship contender. However, he admits that such an arrangement is unlikely given the big man’s solid 2017/18 campaign.
- Washburn believes Greg Monroe is unlikely to return next season. Monroe’s defense prevented him from carving out a significant role during the Celtics’ postseason run.
Larkin is garbage.
So, you’re saying you didn’t watch the Celtics after Kyrie got hurt, huh?
Larkin is a lot of things, and certainly has shortcomings, but he’s definitely not trash. In fact, he was pretty good in most games and terrific in a couple. I’m glad he was there when Kyrie went down and wish he’d been able to play in the playoffs. He’ll be missed if he leaves, but I wish him well and thank him for all he did.
Larkin is not garbage. I watched every game and he did ok. I disagree that he should command a multiyear deal though. His defense is not good. I am referring to his one on one D. He is a player that makes plays on loose balls and jumps passing lanes. Teams take advantage of his lack of height. His deficiencies on D would be acceptable if his name were Isaiah Thomas but he aint IT. LOL His offense is ok and he has a decent shot. He is a third string point guard under normal circumstances. We can get a replacement easily and may have one in Allen and/or Bird. Or draft one. There are better players at the end of the first round IMO.
Monroe is garbage
Monroe is not garbage, he just was misled by Boston, he could have gone to NOLA, be a starter & just about have the same deep playoff run that he had with Boston been at the end of the bench & not playing, his value now would be higher had he gone to NOLA, I always thought it was a mistake for him, playing with AD has to be always a better prospect IMO.
with Monroe it was like the Celtics brought him in for a specific match-up and then didn’t use him for it. Despite that he was pretty much always productive when he did play. I don’t really understand why Stevens didn’t give him more of a chance – though in fairness they obviously had a deep roster even with their injuries and he wasn’t exactly a perfect fit (a bit too slow for their style of play).
He should find a good opportunity in FA though and I’d expect him to keep posting solid numbers and average a double-double (per 36 if he doesn’t end up a starter). He’s a bit of a throw back C and also not quite tall enough to be a dominant one. But he’s a solid player all around that can score, rebound and even pass relatively well. I think, given the chance he could have done more in a Celtics uniform and wish him the best going forward – he always seemed like a stand-up guy even when he was riding the pine in Boston.