The Boston Celtics might not have added anyone to the roster at the 2020 NBA trade deadline, but they might have some different players on the floor making unanticipated impacts anyway.
Boston’s deployment of rookie Romeo Langford for the most minutes of his career in the wake of a number of injuries Feb. 7 paid off unexpectedly well, with the Indiana native matching his career-high burn with the most points he’s scored yet at the NBA level.
His 16 points, 5 rebounds and three blocks were the strongest signal yet the Celtics may have made one of the sneakiest shrewd moves by gambling on the oft-injured wing in the 2019 NBA Draft.
More importantly, he’s not even the only player “joining” Boston who could have a significant impact on their fortunes just as the difficulty of the schedule starts to ramp up.
That honor falls to second-year center Robert Williams III, who has been out since December with a bone-bruised hip.
Timelord has had plenty of time off to get his bottom half in good order, and was already starting to turn heads with some unexpected passing chops and near-basket jumpers.
As the Celtics get ready to dive into one of the toughest stretches of the season, facing the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers, Utah Jazz and Portland Trailblazers before a rematch with the Rockets to close out the month, they’ll need all the help they can get.
Only the Minnesota Timberwolves loom in what’s left of February as a sub- .500 team, so news Williams would likely return to 5-on-5 practice after All-Star week should be most welcome news for Boston fans.
The Celtics may yet make minor improvements around the margins with buyout options should one seem a good mutual fit.
But, despite making no moves ahead of this year’s trade deadline, Boston may be “adding” young, capable talent that will help preserve their stars for the postseason even if they aren’t likely to see many minutes in the actual postseason.
And given those new options didn’t cost a single additional asset, that’s a pretty solid boost to a roster that will need it.
