Boston Celtics: 5 veterans who could be a presence in the locker room
Zach Randolph
In searching for a veteran player who is willing to serve as a teacher for younger players, 37-year-old power forward Zach Randolph comes to mind.
After spending most of his career with the Memphis Grizzlies, the 6-foot-9, 260-pound power forward certainly knows the grind of the NBA season. He also knows what it means to win as part of a Grizzlies team that competed in the Western Conference playoffs for a string of seasons.
More from Boston Celtics
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Blake Griffin Angling Hard to Re-Sign With Celtics
- Game-by-Game Predictions for the Celtics’ 2023-24 In-Season Tournament Schedule
- Kristaps Porzingis’ Foot Injury is a Problem Despite Celtics’ Optimism
- Marcus Smart, Grant Williams and Ime Udoka all Returning to Boston on 2023-24 Schedule
Not only is Randolph the type of veteran Kyrie Irving is referring to, he can still play the game. Taking more of a teaching role on a very young Sacramento Kings team, Randolph led the team in scoring at 14.5 points per game.
With the Boston Celtics, he could give the team some minutes at the 4 or 5. He would be a low post presence, but at the same time would provide leadership and doesn’t mind playing a smaller role to help the team win. That is his current situation with the Kings.
"“I understand it,” Randolph said of his diminished playing time with the Kings. “I want to play, I love to play and I still feel like I’ve got a lot left, but I understand what they’re doing with these young guys.”"
There is still some hunger left in Zach Randolph to win a championship. What better team to do that with than the Boston Celtics.
Danny Ainge has the chips to pull off a trade or the team can wait and see if the Kings buy Randolph out later in the season.