Jordan Walsh Earned Depth Minutes for Celtics Early in Season

Jordan Walsh became the biggest surprise of the Celtics’ preseason, not only for how he responded to a lackluster Summer League, but for his approach, consistency and how Boston elevated him to the second unit for most of the slate. Jaden Springer, Baylor Scheierman and tryout guard Lonnie Walker IV took a back seat to Walsh throughout the Celtics’ five exhibitions.

Walsh responded by averaging 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks per game, shooting 45.5% from the field, 36.8% from three, 88.9% at the free throw line and only committing 0.4 turnovers each night. He set smart screens, flashed a repeatable shooting form, hustled and patiently dribbled inside to create for himself and others. His length and shooting spurts provide hope that he could fit into an Oshae Brissett role for this team, one they could use with Brissett gone.

To cap the preseason in Toronto, Walsh drove for a game-tying layup going left and nearly finished a game-winning shot at the rim before the buzzer. The Celtics posted a 135.8 offensive rating and 106.2 defensive rating with Walsh on the court.

“It feels good to have that year under my belt,” Walsh said. “I know what to expect now with the season, with the team, I know how to play with the team. I feel like that’s the biggest part … I’ve just gotten a lot more (shooting) reps in.”

The expectation was that Walsh would spend more time with Maine in the G-League into their second season. Their schedule doesn’t begin until Nov. 8 at Long Island, which leaves nine NBA games, including a back-to-back in Charlotte, where he’ll be available while Kristaps Porziņģis recovers and Al Horford ramps up. There’s opportunity for Walsh if he can claim it.

Whether Luke Kornet or Horford starts, Horford returning to the starting role for the preseason finale, Xavier Tillman Sr. has a leg up on the field for secondary wing minutes after a healthy and productive camp. He most encouragingly hit his threes, the biggest outstanding question with Walsh, who focused on adapting to a 3-and-D role in Maine last year. He shot 35% from deep in the G-League and while this preseason flashed improvement overall, it featured a 2-for-9 start in Abu Dhabi and 2-for-7 finish. Defenders closed out on him, but they’ll inevitably dare him to beat them from deep into the regular season.

“He’s approached (training camp) with great trust,” Joe Mazzulla said. “I think it’s hard for guys to trust that the simplest things, you’ll be rewarded for. It’s hard to trust that when you’re young. So I get the perspective that he had, but he’s made a conscious change in his perspective of just trusting that the most important things are the simple things and that’s what you’re being judged on and that’s how you grow … the simple things will get rewarded.”

Those comments, following Walsh’s Abu Dhabi stint, pointed toward more positive play earning Walsh more opportunities. And the Celtics could use his contributions. The Celtics’ rotation currently hinges on playing Tillman, Horford and Kornet together in different combinations while threes fall for the former two.

As I built a loose rotation this morning with Horford starting, some Kornet-Tillman combinations off the bench help scale back Horford and Jrue Holiday’s minutes, but leave Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White playing close to 30 minutes each.

Both Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard could play closer to 20 minutes each to further reduce those burdens, and both appeared more than capable of larger roles in the preseason. Kornet also shined in a starting position, which would allow Horford to split time play next to Tillman into second units then close at center while Pritchard and Hauser can more directly reduce minutes for one of the starters.

When someone rests, a more pressing need for depth emerges. Springer shares shooting questions with Walsh, perhaps larger, and exclusively plays guard. Scheierman doesn’t look ready yet. Walker IV probably won’t make the team to begin the season for salary cap reasons.

That leaves Walsh to sprinkle in a few minutes when everyone’s available and step into a larger role against teams like Washington, Detroit and Charlotte early on. If he flashes, that role could expand later in the year. If he regresses, which we saw in Summer League, plenty of opportunities remain with Maine when November arrives.

“It just depends how the season goes. The season calls for different things,” Mazzulla said. “With some of the injuries we have, there’ll be opportunities … you just gotta be ready for both (Boston and Maine).”

Walsh only turned 20 in March, making him the youngest player in Boston’s organization. There’s plenty of room for growth, something the team’s coaching staff and organization have stressed to him through a sometimes difficult development process. Walsh received $1.1 million, a taxed figure, to play in Maine last year which is roughly double what two-way players make. He’ll earn $1.9 million this year before his contract becomes lightly guaranteed for $200,000 beyond this year.

The Celtics would benefit from seeing what they have in him this regular season before Porziņģis returns in December and consistent opportunities for Walsh close. They’d also benefit, while doing so, in making his role more flexible. He thrived playing closer to the rim and utilizing his length during the preseason, he’s not likely to ever become an elite shooter. Putting him in screening actions and letting him make plays in the pocket could prove as valuable as his spacing role.

The Celtics already experimented by having him initiate some sets. He needs to play some amount to figure where he fits eventually.

Aaron Nesmith  faltered in Boston with limited minutes and shot attempts. Now, he’s a starter in Indiana.

“(We’re) just giving him a clear understanding of, these are the things you’re being judged on … here’s what’s actually important,” Mazzulla said. “When you do that, you’re gonna get better and you’re gonna help our team. He’s done a good job of adjusting to that. Defensively, being able to be versatile and guard all five positions. Offensively, being able to be versatile, knowing what the matchup is, knowing what the coverage is and knowing what the right solution to the coverage is.”