BRIGHTON, MA — After two blockbuster consolidation trades that noticed Jrue Vacation and Kristaps Porzingis be part of the Boston Celtics, depth is the primary phrase that comes up when discussing potential weaknesses.

Accounting for the lack of Grant Williams as properly, the Celtics swapped out 4 high-level rotation gamers for 2 and can now be left to scrounge collectively a second unit with guys who performed fewer than 20 minutes per recreation final yr.

Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard, and Luke Kornet are set to focus on a Celtics second unit that has loads to show heading into the yr.

“There [are] some new faces within the second unit as properly, however you bought Payton, Luke, and I, who’ve performed collectively for the final couple of years, and we have now nice chemistry,” Hauser mentioned after Saturday’s observe.

Final season, Hauser noticed a large enhance in minutes, ending eighth on the group in complete minutes performed (1,290). His three-point capturing was essential to Boston’s success, particularly early within the yr. He ended the season capturing 41.8% from deep on 4.2 makes an attempt per recreation.

Boston additionally introduced in a number of new wings over the summer season. Oshae Brissett, Lamar Stevens, Svi Mykhailiuk, and rookie Jordan Walsh may all have an opportunity to earn enjoying time, however Hauser will probably be spearheading that group off the pine.

“Yeah, I undoubtedly received plenty of good expertise final yr,” Hauser mentioned. “Performed in a ton of video games. Obtained to play within the playoffs slightly bit. You already know, there are some issues I must work on that I’ve been engaged on. So, I’m excited to let it snap on Sunday.”

In the meantime, Kornet didn’t see the identical variety of minutes Hauser did, however he appeared in 69 video games, the fifth-most of any participant on the roster. His 11.7 minutes per contest final season will undoubtedly spike this yr.

Kornet hasn’t performed greater than quarter-hour per recreation because the 2019-20 season with the New York Knicks, however his alternatives ought to take a large bounce, and the Celtics are fantastic with that.

“It begins with Luke,” head coach Joe Mazzulla mentioned of the Celtics’ backup middle rotation after Saturday’s observe. “I assumed Luke actually did a fantastic job final yr, and I believe he’s an underrated participant. And I don’t suppose folks understand how efficient he’s.”

Whereas he solely performed 698 complete minutes, Kornet ranked within the ninetieth percentile of bigs in opponent efficient subject aim proportion (-2.9%). And whereas the Kornet Kontest spiraled right into a meme larger than the person it spawned from, Boston could be very excessive on him heading into the yr.

“He’s a man [who’s] all the time in the appropriate spot defensively,” mentioned Mazzulla. “He’s a man that makes the appropriate play on the offensive finish. And he makes the appropriate display learn virtually each single time, which creates 2-on-1s for us. And he can guard our defensive system very properly and talk it.”

And whereas Wenyen Gabriel and two-way addition Neemias Queta may vie for minutes, Kornet would be the Celtics’ go-to.

“We’re going to closely depend on Luke due to what he’s performed final yr and simply form of how he carries himself,” Mazzulla mentioned. “After which the preseason breeds alternative from the opposite guys to see who can fall alongside these traces of what Luke does for us.”

Picture by Mark Blinch/NBAE through Getty Photographs

As for Pritchard, he earned the least enjoying time of the three, enjoying in simply 48 video games and totaling 643 minutes. With Marcus Sensible, Malcolm Brogdon, and Derrick White forward of him within the rotation, Pritchard was solid to the facet.

However with Boston’s new core, Pritchard ought to see a severe enhance in minutes – one thing he’s been getting ready for all summer season.

“I believe Payton’s had a fantastic camp,” mentioned Hauser. “He’s actually, actually been aggressive. He labored actually arduous this summer season, and I believe he’s out for blood this yr. So, I’m actually excited to see what he has to carry to the desk this yr.”

Boston’s bench depth is probably not probably the most extremely touted across the league, however internally, the Celtics are assured.

Sadly, the Bus One Boys might by no means be the identical.

“Yeah, I suppose some would say our captain has left the constructing,” Hauser mentioned on the departure of Bus One Boys chief Blake Griffin. “However we’ll see. We nonetheless received Payton, Luke, and I. It’s a must to earn your rep for the Bus One Boys. So we’ll see who’s on Bus One this yr.”