The Celtics are still riding high in the Eastern Conference, winning eight of their last ten games even after falling to the Nuggets on Wednesday night. There have been some interesting playing time decisions for that stretch with Boston’s bench, so let’s examine that situation along with some trade questions and more in this week’s mailbag.
**Why is Minott buried on the bench? Especially a game like Wednesday night. Denver has no center. Garza can’t keep up with the pace. — Karim B**
The answer for this week is relatively straightforward with Minott. He suffered a sprained ankle on an off day and has been sidelined with it for this entire week. However, his absence from the Celtics’ rotation goes beyond that injury. He’s been the odd man out of the rotation since Dec. 22, chalking up four straight DNP-CDs before seeing garbage time minutes in a blowout win over the Clippers.
It was a bit of a sudden fall for Minott after he was a staple of Joe Mazzulla’s rotation since the first week of the season. However, the emergence of Luka Garza at the backup center spot along with the steady play of his fellow young wings (Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh) makes Minott the guy who is waiting his turn for an opportunity.
The Nuggets loss was definitely a situation where Minott being available could have been helpful. He has the versatility to match up with smaller Nuggets lineups much better than Boston’s bigs and that was on display in the fourth quarter. Minott will certainly get another chance in the rotation once he returns to health, but it will be an interesting minutes squeeze off the bench once Jayson Tatum is cleared to return. Minott will need to earn back Joe Mazzulla’s favor and outplay a deep wing position on the depth chart once again after a promising start to the year.
**Do you think that Brad would consider trading Tatum or is that out of the question? There are possible benefits, like getting a top talent big for about 25 million while dumping JT’s 60 million per season contract. That would also allow re-signing Simons and still having a reduced payroll. And without Tatum there would be more minutes for promising young players like Walsh, Gonzo, Minott, not to mention Garza. I am concerned about how Tatum could fit in with the uptempo style the Cs now employ. Having him walk the ball up and then eating the ball is not the new Celtics way. Finally there is the post-injury issue of will his pre-injury ability be undiminished. — Chris F**
Did not think this Celtics team would ever reach the level of success where this could even be a question, but I guess that’s a credit to what this team has done. With that said, trading Tatum is still out of the question in my mind. He’s a perennial All-NBA player in his prime and there are ways to address the needs on the roster without moving the team’s best player. Let’s move along here.
**Knowing what we know now, would you have traded RJ Barrett and #9 (Collin Murray-Boyles) for Derrick White? — Ryan D**
Nope, the Celtics should still feel good about passing on that one if that offer was ever on the table. White is still a borderline All-Star so far this year despite his shooting struggles and a playoff proven performer. RJ Barrett has only played 21 games due to injury and Murray-Boyles looks like he could be a useful rotation player but does not look like he would be an upgrade on Neemias Queta. Celtics rightfully would have needed more than that to consider parting with White.
**With the 9th best record in the NBA, Tatum returning later in the year. This team are not real contenders. Simon is improving his trade value. I think Brad should trade him with the least amount of assets attached to get under the tax. Brobb what are your thoughts? — Paul**
The dipping under the tax question is a fascinating one given how well this season has gone. I agree that without more moves right now, this team is not a true contender to win it all. They could get out of the East, but it’s hard to see them as a legitimate threat to win it all without an upgrade in the frontcourt. Finding that upgrade while also dipping under the tax could be the ideal scenario but that’s going to be a tricky tightrope to walk. Simons may have improved his value but the Trae Young trade is a good indicator of the value of overpaid guards right now given where the depth is at that position. If the Celtics want to move him and cut payroll, they will have to attach assets or settle for a likely talent downgrade.