The Boston Celtics have struck gold with overseas prospects a number of times in recent years, and — pandemic permitting — might again, with some luck.
Players like Shane Larkin, Daniel Theis and Brad Wanamaker have all found significant roles with the Celtics, and while it’s not looking good for center Vincent Poirier to stick with Boston next season, the book is still open on how his story ends.
With a roster crunch currently besetting the roster, it might not make a lot of sense to be looking all the way across the proverbial pond for potential point guards, big men and bench scorers, but the Celtics could easily consolidate one or several roster spots beyond what the deal and draft will fill.
Boston Celtics deal up for a big splash in new B/R mock draft https://t.co/DAW0dw6JeX
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 23, 2020
And in that case, an overstocked roster could quickly shift to one in need of bodies — and bodies capable of helping off the bench on a contender.
The Playgrounder’s Matt Esposito put together a trio of prospects currently ensconced overseas the Celtics might have interest in — let’s take a look at what they came up with.
Tyler Dorsey – guard – Maccabi Tel Aviv
Dorsey is a bit of a head-scratcher as to how he washed out of the league. His biggest wart while in the NBA was his practically non-existent defense, but even then he was scoring well and shooting the rock effectively (career 35%) for a player on their rookie deal.
Esposito’s rationale for bringing the former Griz wing on board?
“He sank 40 percent of catch-and-shoot threes while in Memphis, and his stroke simply looks nice. Dorsey can also create triples off of the bounce, a coveted skill in today’s game.”
Facundo Campazzo – guard – Real Madrid
An undersized floor general ought to be enough to get Danny Ainge to sign off alone, but jokes aside about the 5-foot-11 wizard with the rock, if Campazzo’s floor vision and passing don’t impress, you might want to check your pulse.
He’d likely be an option in a scenario where Boston moves on from Tremont Waters, helping to spell Kemba Walker during the regular season.
“Campazzo could come in and orchestrate the second unit, creating easy looks for projected bench players like Romeo Langford, Grant Williams, Marcus Smart and Bobby Timelord,” opines the Playgrounder head honcho.
Derrick Williams – forward – Valencia Basket
Yes, that Derrick Williams. Before your eyes roll, he’s truly become a much more complete player since heading across the pond, developing a solid if not spectacular outside shot, and could help provide some heft in the frontcourt in small-ball lineups on the second unit.
Such a move would make more sense in a situation that saw one of Grant or Robert Williams moved, though it would certainly be fun to write about with all three on the roster.
“Williams could terrorize slower centers as a pick-and-roll lob threat on offense,” notes Esposito, “and defensively, his bulk/footspeed combo makes him a prime candidate for anchoring small-ball defenses.”
Our verdict? Dorsey on a value deal makes the most sense
All three of these overseas prospects could make for a solid bench signing if the offseason action makes room for their presence and a need for their services.
And while Campazzo and Williams could provide realistic help at potential areas of need pending offseason moves, it seems Dosey’s skillset is least redundant given the players on the roster now, and ceiling as a scorer highest.
Paths to needing competent depth in the frontcourt and among floor generals are very much on the table — but there’s a legitimate need now for scoring off the bench, and little to suggest the solution is already safely on the roster.
