2017 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Shane Larkin: 1 year, $1.5 million (Boston Celtics)
Source: Boston Celtics, Shane Larkin agree on NBA comeback deal. Widely considered best Euroleague free-agent PG with Milos Teodosic gone.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) July 20, 2017
The former 18th overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft is returning to the NBA, courtesy of a one-year deal with the Boston Celtics (most likely for the veteran minimum). Leaving $6.3 million on the table overseas to return to the NBA is a risky call, especially with a team already stocked at the point guard position, but it gives Boston some extra backcourt depth.
In three seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, Larkin failed to find a niche, averaging 5.8 points and 3.2 assists per game on .430/.328/.762 shooting splits. Last year with Baskonia, however, he put up 13.8 points, 5.4 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game, with a Player Efficiency Rating of 17.4.
The Celtics already have Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier ahead of him on the depth chart, but in the event of injury, a decent third- or fourth-string point guard isn’t a bad thing to have.
Bourguet Grade: C
HoopsHabit Grade: TBD