The Boston Celtics and third-string point guard Terry Rozier are unlikely to hammer out of a contract extension before Monday’s deadline, according to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe.
“According to one source, Rozier is determined to become a starting point guard in the NBA, and next summer will seek the minutes and money of a starter, perhaps in the $20 million-per-season range,” Himmelsbach wrote. “‘There’s not going to be any extension,’ the source said. ‘It’s hard to envision a deal that would make sense for both sides.'”
Earlier this week, Celtics president of basketball operations confirmed to 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher and Rich that the team had entered negotiations with Rozier’s camp.
The 24-year-old Rozier averaged 11.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in the regular season last year, but truly broke out in the 2018 playoffs when asked to become the C’s starting point guard in the wake of Kyrie Irving’s season-ending knee injury, with 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game in a 19-game run for the Celtics.
That run truly gave birth to the ‘Scary Terry’ nickname, and provided the confirmation that Rozier, a first-round pick in 2015 (16th overall), has the skill set to be more than an energetic off-the-bench option in the NBA.
But Rozier still finds himself behind Irving and Marcus Smart on the C’s depth chart at the No. 1, and that will likely remain the case following Smart’s new four-year, $52 million signed this offseason and Irving’s now publicly-stated intention to stay with the Celtics on a max deal next summer. That, of course, means that his desire role most likely cannot be achieved in Boston.
A restricted free agent next year, the Celtics will have the right to match any offer sheet thrown Rozier’s way.