Former Boston Celtics point guard Shane Larkin — whose rights are still held by Boston — is drawing interest from several teams around the league, should the Celtics decide to go in another direction for depth in their backcourt.
Boston is poised to add All-Star floor general Kemba Walker to their roster according to multiple reports and is less in need of guard depth should that signing swap out one top-tier floor general for another. However, the team will still have a dearth of reliable depth on the roster with Terry Rozier’s likely exit imminent as well.
The Celtics will have to make a mid-July decision on whether to bring back the former University of Miami product after declining the qualifying offer of veteran guard Brad Wanamaker yesterday.
Despite the fact the franchise drafted three players who could conceivably see time at the one this season, all may have too steep a learning curve to see much more than garbage time minutes in regular season games, so a competent, established backup point guard may be needed depending on how Marcus Smart is used in the next incarnation of the team.
With the Detroit Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic all reportedly in the mix for Larkin’s services, the team will need to select a path forward with regards to the recent Turkish League Most Valuable Player.
It’s possible the team believes Smart will be a better option at the point for the team’s second unit, allowing the youth movement to pick up the third string. Still, it should be no surprise if we see the 18th pick of the 2013 NBA Draft back in the association come fall somewhere, if not with the Cs.
