Shane Larkin signs with Celtics

[TheSundanceKid]

I am still extremely sceptical that Yab is coming over this summer. He wasn't signed alongside Zizic and Tatum which would have made sense and he didn't sign alongside Semi or Nader which also would have made sense.

I think staying overseas is best for the team and for him so I wouldn't be unhappy with that outcome. Just strange that nothing has been said on it yet.

[Tr1boy]

Huh. Does that suggest Yabu isn't coming over? Or one of the other reportedly guaranteed deals really isn't?

How many players are signed thus far?

If there is one spot left, its for Yabu

[Darío SpanishFan]

This shocks me.

So he's giving up more or less 6 million euros guaranteed for the next two seasons, as Baskonia had just matched Barcelona's offer sheet in those terms. And he's doing it for the minimum, as we are over the cap. At least one season should be guaranteed, for this reason...

Anyway, this is a very good signing for that money.

[Tr1boy]

This shocks me.

So he's giving up more or less 6 million euros guaranteed for the next two seasons, as Baskonia had just matched Barcelona's offer sheet in those terms. And he's doing it for the minimum, as we are over the cap. At least one season should be guaranteed, for this reason...

Anyway, this is a very good signing for that money.

Low risk move for larkin

[Eja117]

Great signing! He's our new reclamation project, like Evan Turner was. We also needed a legit backup point guard.

If we get to the point where IT4, Smart, and Rozier aren't on the floor, we might as well tank.

We're not the 76ers

[greece66]

I could be wrong but I have the impression that  in the Stevens era Ainge wants to make sure we'll never run out of backup PGs. Could be an after-effect of the 2013 playoffs series with the Knicks.

[Kuberski33]

First reaction, Danny's always liked him and he became available cheap.  Also it may mean he's not done dealing.

[kmart12]

So how about addressing that need for a power forward?

[LGC88]

I think Yabusele is not signed because of Pierce contract.
He'll sign soon. We need big who can stretch the floor and his body is nba ready. He needs to be with the Celtics to develop. It makes no sense to send him in China again or in Europe.

Shane Larkin is a puzzling move.
I guess we have to wait and see the reason behind it.

[saltlover]

Rosters are 17 now with 2 2-way contracts allowed which I assume go to Kadeem Allen and Jabari Bird.  So, I think there is room for Larkin, but the question we are all asking is, WHY?

The why is simple.

1) We have a starting PG who is currently rehabbing from injury.
2) Both the starter and the backup are free agents next year.
3) If we assume it's two out of three of bringing over Yabusele, signing Theis, and signing Larkin, does it really make sense to have essentially 4 roster spots taken up by rookies who play the 4 or 5 (Yabusele, Ojeleye, Zizic, and Theis)?
4) While Larkin isn't anything special, he's entering the peak years of his career (turns 25 in October), and it's not beyond the pale to think he could be a serviceable 3rd-string PG at the minimum for a coupe of seasons in his prime.  As positionless as the Celtics try to be, they generally need someone to run the point.  Depth at that position is important.
5) If he doesn't work out, it's only wasting ownership's money.  It's not going to preclude other moves.

[saltlover]

So how about addressing that need for a power forward?

What need?

[kozlodoev]

So how about addressing that need for a power forward?

What need?

The one where you are one injury away from having to start a PF who is 6'6 or has zero minutes of prior NBA experience.

[ssspence]

One thing I recall about Larkin: supposedly he has tiny hands for a PG, which seems.... suboptimal.

[Darío SpanishFan]

This shocks me.

So he's giving up more or less 6 million euros guaranteed for the next two seasons, as Baskonia had just matched Barcelona's offer sheet in those terms. And he's doing it for the minimum, as we are over the cap. At least one season should be guaranteed, for this reason...

Anyway, this is a very good signing for that money.

Low risk move for larkin

Low risk? You are risking 3 million euros this season GUARANTEED and the same for next season, as well as being one of the top guards in the Euroleague one more year. He could have returned to the NBA in two years with a good contract and minutes to play.

Now he's signing for the minimum and we'll see guarantees, and he'll be the third PG at best.

This is not my concept of low risk move.

[BitterJim]

So how about addressing that need for a power forward?

What need?

The one where you are one injury away from having to start a PF who is 6'6 or has zero minutes of prior NBA experience.

If Morris gets injured we could start Al+Baynes in the front court