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Boston Celtics: Passing On Extensions For Zeller, Sullinger the Right Call

By Jeremy Gottlieb

Dec 31, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller (44) high fives Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger (7) as Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) holds the ball after a Boston basket during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller (44) high fives Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger (7) as Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) holds the ball after a Boston basket during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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How did you react to the news Monday that the Boston Celtics decided to eschew offering contract extensions to Tyler Zeller and Jared Sullinger?

I’m not talking about backflips or cartwheels if you approved of the decision or lighting candles in front of your Sully Shrine if you didn’t.

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What I mean is simply, did you think it was the right move or the wrong one? If you thought it was the right move, you’ve come to the right place. If you didn’t, allow me to attempt to convince you otherwise.

Any previous negatory feelings about Sullinger aside, the dude is playing well to start the season. He’s made himself part of the team’s overcrowded big man rotation after appearing to be an afterthought during the preseason and while he’s still shooting too many 3s (which is to say, any), his effort on the block and in the paint — where he should be pretty much at all times — has been both solid and consistent. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that coach Brad Stevens noted what a positive effect he’s had on the defensive end thus far this week.

As for Zeller, after proving himself a productive rotation center last year, he’s appeared to be the odd man out through this season’s first three games. He’s started all three but his minutes are down significantly, cratering with just six played on Sunday against San Antonio. That he’s grabbed two total rebounds in those three games, limited minutes or not, represents a major “uh-oh.”

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Putting aside each of their respective performances for a moment, in the bigger picture, the Celtics choosing to wait on both players benefits everyone involved. As we’ve learned, the league salary cap is expected to skyrocket starting next year and we’ve already seen what those new economics will mean to certain players best described as, ahem, middling (see Jeremy Lamb in Charlotte and to a lesser extent, Terrence Ross in Toronto).

With such an influx in cash coming, it makes exactly zero sense for either player to take less money to re-sign in Boston when the potential to hit the lottery next summer so apparently exists.

As far as the Celtics are concerned, they now have more time to determine whether either player fits into their longer range plans while simultaneously maintaining cap flexibility. The two players combined will cost $12.2 million in cap holds as restricted free agents following this season.

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This is a win-win for everyone. Sullinger, who has proven that he’s difficult to motivate, now has no security beyond this season save for the nebulous promise that someone will pay him if he stays in shape and works hard. That should push him to keep playing the way he has in the first week.

Zeller, who could be trade bait if you think three games is enough evidence to determine how Stevens plans to continue working out his rotations, may be better served playing elsewhere if his lack of productivity thus far continues.

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So light your candles if that’s your thing. At the end of the day, cartwheels and backflips are the far more appropriate reaction to these moves by the Celtics.

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