Boston Celtics: Starting lineup locks, fringe, and potential break-ins

Fringe options for the starting lineup

Center: Daniel Theis, Tristan Thompson

Last season the Boston Celtics had a clear starter at center in Daniel Theis. He played even better than many expected as he stepped up after the departure of Al Horford. Theis started 64 of the 65 games in which he played, providing a steady defense option with a limited offensive game. In the postseason he struggled against the strength and athleticism of Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo.

Theis could certainly be the starter once again, but the Celtics brought in another option, signing former Cleveland Cavaliers big man Tristan Thompson. The onetime power forward is now best deployed at the 5 and brings a vertical spacing element that Theis does not. He is also better equipped to bang with stronger big men such as Adebayo or Brook Lopez. At the same time, Thompson is not a floor-spacer, giving Theis an advantage. Head coach Brad Stevens may mix-and-match the two early in the season to determine the best fit.

Final starter: Jeff Teague, Grant Williams

With three starting lineup locks plus a center, the final spot in the lineup will come down to Stevens’ overall vision. First, does he want to create a rotation that most closely mirrors what they will use when Kemba Walker returns? Or does he want to put together the best possible rotation to maximize their win total in the first half of the season?

If he decides on the first plan, that will likely mean Jeff Teague gets the final starting nod. The former Wake Forest point guard is a hazy approximation of Kemba Walker, and with Teague starting it would slide both Smart and Tatum into less ball-dominant roles. Boston seemed to prioritize adding Teague this offseason, letting steady guard Brad Wanamaker walk in free agency to bring in Teague. That could signal a plan to start him.

There are multiple problems with that plan, however. First is that Teague is not very good at this stage in his career, providing minimal value to the Minnesota Timberwolves or Atlanta Hawks the past two seasons. Secondly is it opens up a yawning hole at backup point guard. Would Smart fill that spot, or would the team deploy one of its inexperienced options: Carsen Edwards, Tremont Waters or rookie Payton Pritchard?

Those problems are lessened if the team goes big and puts Grant Williams in as a starter. Williams has an incredibly-high basketball I.Q. and hustles hard enough to make Smart proud. He would give their defense a boost playing alongside another center and is a ball-mover on offense. While not a perfect player, he would likely be a better choice for the final spot than the small, diminished Teague.