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Boston Celtics: Why Jabari Bird deserves a full-time roster spot

By Oliver Gold

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 06: Furkan Korkmaz #30 of the Philadelphia 76ers is guarded by Jabari Bird #26 of the Boston Celtics during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 69-63. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 06: Furkan Korkmaz #30 of the Philadelphia 76ers is guarded by Jabari Bird #26 of the Boston Celtics during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 69-63. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Jabari Bird has been sensational for the Celtics in the Summer League and deserves a roster spot with the Boston Celtics for the 2018-2019 season.

Bird has done it again, leading the Boston Celtics to another victory!

No this is not 1986, and his first name is not Larry. It is 2018, and his first name is Jabari.

Ever since drafting Jabari Bird out of California in 2017, Bird has made the most out of every opportunity he has been given.

So far in the Summer League, Bird has been the best player on the Celtics. Bird has averaged 18.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 assists while shooting a remarkable 58 percent from the field and has made three of his four shots from three. Keep in mind Summer League games are 40 minutes instead of 48. He has led the Celtics to a 2-1 record thus far.

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On Saturday’s game against the Nuggets, Bird was sensational. He scored 24 points and also had three steals while shooting 9 for 17.

"“He’s playing all facets of the game right now,” Celtics Summer League coach Jay Larranaga said of Bird on Monday. “I have to say that everybody here at Summer League has to be impressed by the way he’s playing.”"

Last season, Bird played with both the Celtics and the Maine Red Claws, the Celtics’ G League affiliate. The 6’6 guard averaged 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from three for the Red Claws in 20 games.

Bird got a chance to get minutes for the Celtics toward the end of the year when Marcus Smart and Kyrie Irving got injured and made the most out of that opportunity.

On April 6th against the Chicago Bulls, Bird played 24 minutes for the injury-plagued Celtics, his most of the season. In those minutes, the 24-year-old tallied 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists while shooting 70 percent.

Bird also played well against the Atlanta Hawks in his next game, scoring nine points, grabbing five rebounds, and dishing two assists while shooting 80 percent in 21 minutes.

Bird deserves a full-time contract with the Boston Celtics

Last year, Bird was inked to a one-year, two-way contract after being drafted 56th overall by Boston. The Celtics decided to sign Abdel Nader to a full-way contract instead of Bird.

Because of this, Bird is a restricted free-agent. According to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, the Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves are interested in signing the 24-year-old. The Celtics can match any offer sheet Bird signs.

There is no reason why the Celtics should not do this. Bird is much more deserving of a roster spot than Nader at the moment. Bird has outplayed Nader during the Summer League and played better for the Celtics last season. The Celtics signed Nader to a four-year, $6 million last season and it already looks like a questionable decision.

Currently, the Celtics have 14 players on their roster but still have the qualifying offer on the table for Marcus Smart and can still match any deal. The league maximum is 15 with two two-way players.

Because of the success Bird has had, it is likely some team will offer him a full-time deal. The Celtics would have to waive somebody to match, and it should be Nader. Bird has been too good for the Celtics and has shown too much potential to let him walk.

Next: Top 5 Boston Celtics draft busts in franchise history

Jabari Bird could be in the mix to see normal minutes if  Marcus Smart does not re-sign with Boston. Even if Smart resigns, Bird deserves another shot with the Boston Celtics due to his success since getting drafted.

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