The Celtics lost their third-string point guard (Demetrius Jackson) and plenty of big men (Kelly Olynyk, Amir Johnson, Jonas Jerebko, Tyler Zeller and Jordan Mickey) in their quest for Gordon Hayward.
That paid off in a big way, but it’s time for Boston to restock its depth.
Enter Shane Larkin and, as previously expected, Guerschon Yabusele and Daniel Theis.
Jay King of MassLive:The Boston Celtics have agreed to sign Shane Larkin for point guard depth, league sources confirmed to MassLive.com.
The one-year contract, which pulled Larkin away from bigger money in Europe, will be fully guaranteed for the coming season, a source indicated.
Theis:
Today is the day! I'm so excited to join the @celtics family and to live in this great city! I will work my heart out for #Boston 💯☘️ pic.twitter.com/vtCMm3b5h0
— Daniel Theis (@dtheis10) July 20, 2017
Theis signed a two-year deal with the first-year salary fully guaranteed, according to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. Yabusele will be on a rookie-scale contract for a No. 16 pick.
They, with Larkin, give Boston 16 players on standard contracts – one more than the regular-season limit. All those deals apparently include guaranteed 2016-17 salaries, but the Celtics can always eat (or trade) a contract. It costs only money. This just increases the likelihood Boston fields the best possible roster after the preseason.
Larkin showed promise early in his career, opted out of a $1.5 million Nets contract then fell out of the NBA. He adds another viable point guard behind Isaiah Thomas, joining Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier. Smart and Rozier can spend time off the ball, but the 5-foot-11 Larkin probably can’t. Fortunately for Larkin’s chances of making the regular-season roster, the Celtics likely need Smart and Rozier to spend time at shooting guard after trading Avery Bradley.