LAS VEGAS — The Celtics’ future lies in their youth and that comes to the spotlight with two All-Stars under 25. But it’s the surrounding pieces — all those recent first-round picks — who will need to step up to mold the team’s depth going forward.
Those young C’s will be on full display throughout the next week as the NBA’s midsummer exhibition games are back in Las Vegas for Summer League. Boston opens its slate of games at 4 p.m. Sunday against Atlanta, where returners are paired with fresh talent to form a tantalizing roster.
The headliners are the four returners: Payton Pritchard, Aaron Nesmith, Romeo Langford and Carsen Edwards. Then there are the international prospects of Yam Madar and Juhann Begarin. Beyond that, there are other storylines that should draw Celtics fans in throughout the week.
Here are four things to watch as Summer League unfolds over the next five games:
The second-rounders
The headliners of Summer League are seemingly the second-round picks from the past two drafts. Madar (No. 47 in 2020) and Begarin (No. 45 this year) are on the roster and have been training with the team in Boston.
What kind of play will the young international prospects show? Celtics fans will get at least a glimpse of that — and perhaps more.
Madar said his plan is to play in the NBA this year, though there are some contract buyout talks that must be squared away. He was the youngest player ever to win the Israel Premier League’s Most Improved Player; the Celtics should hope he can continue taking those bounds. There’s a clear need at point guard on the roster, though subsequent moves could still be in the works. But Madar’s emergence as a potential NBA player this season would shore up depth for the future.
Begarin projects to be stout defensively, though he’ll have a work-in-progress offensive game. The teenager just turned 19 years old on Saturday, so he still has time to round out and mature his game. His 6-foot-5 frame and 7-foot wingspan help immensely as he looks the part of an NBA athlete.
That’s all to say the international products will be under a microscope this upcoming week for Celtics fans. Spirited play and production will be a welcome sight, but it’s always a good reminder that Summer League is far from NBA-level play.
Langford development?
When the Celtics were saddled with COVID-19 and injuries last season — which was often — Brad Stevens did some tinkering. That resulted in a notable sight: Langford at point guard. It wasn’t anything consistent, but Stevens saw something in Langford.
Langford said that’s a key area he and Summer League coach Joe Mazzulla have worked on this summer: “Being more comfortable with the ball in my hands so I can be a secondary ballhandler.”
Expectations aren’t exactly high for Langford, but the skill would be a great boost for the Celtics if he can develop it. Boston struggled in the playmaking department last season, so any help would be solid. Langford could also grasp that role off the bench, where the C’s are looking to fill out their depth.
Who are the other guys?
Of the 11-player roster, Celtics fans should be familiar with at least six of those players. Seven once former Virginia forward Sam Hauser, the two-way contract signee, is added to the fold. But who are the other four players?
Summer League rosters are full of hopefuls who were recently undrafted and looking for a shot. The next week is huge for them as a strong showing can lead to either G-League attention, two-way contracts or overseas opportunities. That means a lot of young guys fighting for their careers.
The Celtics filled out their Summer League roster with plenty of older guys who have international experience. Here’s a look at the other players on the roster:
Zach Auguste, 6-10, center, 28 years old: Played at Notre Dame from 2012-16. He was born in Cambridge and played at Marlborough High. Auguste went undrafted out of college and has bounced around international leagues in recent years. Most recently, he played in Greek for Panathinaikos.
Aric Holman, 6-9, center, 24: Played at Mississippi State from 2015-19. He went undrafted in 2019 then bounced around the G-League and internationally. Most recently, he played in Germany as part of the Bundesliga.
Dedric Lawson, 6-7, forward, 23: Played at Memphis to start his career, playing from 2015-17, before transferring to Kansas for one season. Former McDonald’s All-American in high school and collegiate All-American. Previously played for the Austin Spurs in the G-League. He’s bounced around internationally, playing in the Korean Basketball League and Turkish Super League. Younger brother of C’s teammate K.J.
K.J. Lawson, 6-7, forward, 25: Played at Memphis, Kansas and Tulane during college. Most recently played with the Worcester Wolves of the British Basketball League. Older brother of C’s teammate Dedric.
How much improvement, play will we see from the returners?
The Celtics have filled the roster with older guys for a reason: They want to see how their youngsters look at game speed. Langford, Pritchard, Nesmith and Edwards have all navigated an NBA season. Normally, they wouldn’t play too much, instead focusing on the behind-the-scenes practices.
But there’s always some excitement from seeing the youngsters. Nesmith and Langford have a lot of expectations on their shoulders with the roster seemingly opening up for the pair. Pritchard plays at the premier position of point guard, where the C’s are thin. Edwards is looking to find his niche in the NBA, though he has had a strong showing in Summer League a few years ago.
