Boston Celtics: 3 burning questions the Celtics must answer in 2021-22

Boston Celtics burning questions: 1. Does Schroder have what it takes to be the missing link?

One of the biggest changes the Celtics have made this season is at the point guard spot, with Kemba Walker leaving the franchise and Dennis Schroder coming in.

Walker was a shadow of his All-Star self for the Charlotte Hornets. His struggles with knee injuries have not helped, but Walker was not the type of point guard that got the ball moving around the court while bringing the best out of others.

Much of his game has been geared towards running the pick and roll and shooting – mostly at an inefficient rate. Trading away Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder opened up more financial flexibility for the team, but the fact it was one of Stevens’ first actions in his new role said a lot about his thoughts on the team last year.

The Celtics need a point guard that can get the ball zipping around the court and get the team playing as more of an offensive unit. It will be intriguing to see if Smart is used as the starting point guard, but Schroder’s arrival potentially opens up new possibilities for the team.

Schroder betted big on himself and ultimately lost out last season. He turned down $84 million from the Los Angeles Lakers before signing a one-year $5.8 million deal with the Celtics. His spell for the Lakers last year was mixed, with some solid regular season performances being overshadowed by a disappointing playoff run.

The German is renowned for his immense pace, and seeing him on a Boston team with plenty of spacing is an exciting prospect. He also showed he can create on a team with talent around him, averaging 5.8 assists per game last season, and has improved as a defender in recent seasons.

But for all his qualities, there are some worries. Schroder can hold teams back with his tendency to hang onto the ball too long and isn’t the most confident or efficient shooter. Boston needs him to come in and act as a facilitator and someone that can improve how the team functions, but whether he can do that is another matter entirely.