The Boston Celtics are 23 games away from the end of the regular season and need to fill one more roster space. Players on the buyout market are getting snatched up quickly. But, the Celtics could pull from a handful of G League players they have in Maine.  

On Tuesday’s Toucher & Rich program—John Karalis, writer for Boston Sports Journal, answered buyout market questions from Jon Wallach. 

Parts of conversation are abbreviated for clarity.

• 

  Dec 1, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Denzel Valentine (45) reacts against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

• Wallach: The Celtics have a team with good chemistry and a coach everyone wants to play for, yet, they’re not really reeling guys in. Why do you think that is? 

  John Karalis: I don’t think Brad Stevens would go for a guy like Patrick Beverley because he’s such a big personality in the locker room.
  

  These guys are in a good spot locker room-wise. I can’t believe the way I hear them talk and see them interact. It’s a best-case scenario as far as team chemistry. 

  Credit to Brad for bringing in players like Blake Griffin, who I thought would be a questionably big personality. He’s been perfect for this locker room. So, I don’t think he’ll add another big personality. It was never going to be Russell Westbrook. It was never going to be Patrick Beverley. 

• 

  Mar 27, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) goes between Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley (22) and forward Anthony Edwards (1) during the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

• John Karalis: Looking at the depth, you’re starting Rob [Williams], Horford, Tatum, Brown and Smart. And you brought in Malcolm Brogdon. Are you playing Patrick Beverley above Brogdon? No. You bring in Derrick White, now that’s three guards. So, the opportunity for a guy like Pat Bev is lessened. 

  Brad said that if they bring anybody in, they have to be willing to not play. That type of person would get the Blake Griffin treatment. Once in a while, you’ll get your 20 minutes, but most of the time, you’ll be on the bench. 

• 

  Feb 8, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after forward Blake Griffin (91) makes a three point basket against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half at TD Garden. Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

• John Karalis: These buyout guys are not only looking to play for a championship contender—like the Celtics—but also their next contract. If Patrick Beverley were to accept a position at the end of the bench and barely play, that’s not anything his agent wants. Once you’ve established that as your role, teams will hold you to that. Beverley wants to go to a place where he can go and still make an impact for a playoff team. 

  That’s why these guys aren’t coming to Boston because they don’t want to be that guy. Prospective teams will know you are a 10th man and pay you like a 10th man. That’s not something that anybody will agree to in Boston. 

• 

  Dec 7, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) confront Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka in the second half at Staples Center.The Lakers defeated the Celtics 117-102. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

• Wallach: How are the Celtics going to fill that final roster spot? Will it be the buyout market or an NBA veteran from Maine? Tony Snell is a six- or seven- year veteran. He and Denzel Valentine are shooting the ball very well up in Maine. Are those guys going to take the last roster spot? 

  John Karalis: Yeah, that could be entirely possible. They could go to the G League. They could go that route for sure.
  

  Another wildcard longshot could be that they go into the G League and find a young player that they can pay the minimum. Do you want to find a diamond in the rough?
  

  Dipping into the G League becomes much more possible, considering how these buyout guys are coming off the board. 

  Or, they might take the small amount of tax savings because they don’t need to fill that spot.

• Full Segment

• Ryan Beaton is a producer for 985thesportshub.com. You can follow Ryan at @ry_beaton on Twitter.

  Follow @Toucherandrich on Twitter, @Toucherandrichofficial and @fredtoucher on Instagram to keep up with the show!

Sign me up for the 98.5 The Sports Hub email newsletter!

Get the latest Boston sports news and analysis, plus exclusive on-demand content and special giveaways from Boston's Home for Sports, 98.5 The Sports Hub.

First Name *

Last Name

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.