The Boston Celtics enter the upcoming season with one roster spot still available, a situation that has become familiar under team president Brad Stevens.
Stevens has preferred in recent years to start the campaign with 14 players under contract. That approach leaves room to maneuver closer to the trade deadline if an opportunity arises.
With a roster already stacked with young talent under head coach Joe Mazzulla, some observers believe Stevens could still seek a veteran presence to round out the group. One name that has surfaced is free-agent forward Nicolas Batum.
Matt John of Hardwood Houdini recently pointed to Batum as a possible addition in the mold of former Celtics forward Blake Griffin. The suggestion centers on Batum’s experience and versatility rather than any expectation of heavy minutes.
“Batum is among the NBA’s premier Swiss Army knife players at 38 years old. But, for what he can’t do anymore, he can still shoot threes, make the right pass, and even provide some positional versatility with his height and wingspan,” John wrote.
The French veteran, listed at 37, became a free agent after parting ways with the Los Angeles Clippers this summer. His career has included stretches of high-level two-way play, though his role has shifted in recent seasons toward situational contributions.
“Batum is a long player who helped the Clippers a lot when they asked him to be their small-ball five. Again, he can’t do the things he used to when he was younger. But, like Griffin, he has the IQ to become an asset for Mazzulla when they would call his name.”
Last season Batum appeared in 74 games for the Clippers, averaging 4 points and 2.5 rebounds while converting 40.4 percent of his 3-point attempts on 3.1 tries per night. Those numbers reflect a player who can still space the floor and make sound decisions without needing the ball in his hands for long stretches.
His length and defensive instincts would appear to mesh with the switching schemes Mazzulla often employs. At this stage of his career, Batum is not expected to lobby for a large share of the rotation, which could make him an appealing low-risk option if the Celtics decide they need another body.
Any potential signing, however, would likely not come until well into the season. Adding a player later allows the team to avoid or limit luxury-tax implications because salaries are calculated on a pro-rated basis.
Even if the fit looks clean on paper, Boston already carries considerable depth on the wing. The front office has stocked the position with both established veterans and developing talent, creating a logjam for minutes.
Players such as Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, Chris Cenac Jr., Jordan Walsh and Dillon Mitchell will all be competing for opportunities. When Jayson Tatum, Paul George and Sam Hauser are factored in, the available wing minutes become even tighter.
Given that reality, Stevens may view a guard as a higher priority. The backcourt currently stands as one of the thinner areas on the roster, and competition at that position could prove more valuable than another forward.
While Batum’s basketball IQ and positional flexibility make him an interesting theoretical match, the Celtics’ existing wing depth suggests any move for a veteran forward remains a long shot. For now, the open roster spot appears more likely to stay vacant until the right opportunity presents itself later in the year.
