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Boston Celtics: Complete 2017 offseason grades

By Josh Cornelissen

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 1: Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward get introduced as Boston Celtics on September 1, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 1: Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward get introduced as Boston Celtics on September 1, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Michele Longo/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by Michele Longo/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images /

Signing Daniel Theis

In an age of high-octane basketball coverage, with players scouted in middle school and international players pulled into mock drafts, it is not often that an unknown player signs a contract. While certainly not unknown to NBA teams, most of those following the league were at a loss when they heard the contending Boston Celtics were using a valuable roster spot on German forward Daniel Theis.

At 25 Theis is not a young prospect, but rather an established veteran looking to play in the world’s best basketball league. Long and sturdy, Theis has made a name for himself as a lockdown defender on the wing, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award last season in the Basketball Bundesliga League (BBL).

Theis is also a three-time All-Star in the BBL, and earlier in his career was named the “best young player” in Germany. Far from just a defensive stopper, he is also an excellent shooter, knocking down 41 percent of his 3-pointers for Brose Bamberg last season.

A fixture on the German national team, Theis is one of only two players now playing in the NBA, alongside Dennis Schroeder. In the group stage of this summer’s EuroBasket tournament, Theis has shot 40 percent from distance for Germany, scoring 7.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, a block and a steal in 20.8 minutes per game.

The Celtics have the luxury of not needing Theis, but instead can take a flier on a two-year, minimum contract. But if Theis’ defensive prowess can translate to the hyper-athletic NBA, he could be the epitome of a 3-and-D wing for the Celtics. That’s well worth both the roster spot and the relative pittance in salary.

Grade: B+

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