Boston Celtics rumors: We may be seeing the last of Terry Rozier

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 10: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second half of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden on December 10, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 10: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second half of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden on December 10, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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After a breakout postseason and with the trade deadline fast approaching, is the end of Scary Terry in a Boston Celtics uniform on its way?

Listen, Terry Rozier had a really good game on Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors.  He was defending the way the Boston Celtics drafted him to defend, and he was a big part in helping the C’s get back into the game.

I’m going to play devil’s advocate here for a bit though, because the reality is that Terry Rozier is a free agent starting July 1.

Rozier will be a restricted free agent, which means the Celtics will have the opportunity to match any offer that comes his way.  However, I think there’s absolutely a chance that Terry gets traded a little before or right at the trade deadline.

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Nothing is set in stone obviously, and for all I know maybe the Celtics will just ride this season out with Rozier as their backup point guard and bite the bullet in free agency.  That’s not how Danny Ainge does business though, and I think it’s safe to say everyone knows Rozier wants a starting role and isn’t going to be back in green next season.

Rozier hasn’t had a great year.

It’s true.  ‘Scary Terry’ has struggled  a lot this season, and his lapses on the defensive end have made driven fans nuts.  I could toss out numbers and analytics to support the negative impact he’s had throughout the season, but I’m going to just tell you guys what I see when I watch him play.

I see a guy who knows how good he can be when given a starting role, he feels as though he’s earned a starting role and adjusting back to the bench has been a bigger struggle than he anticipated.  He’s letting guys fly by him on the defensive end, he’s taking bad shots and the effort seems very lackluster.

I don’t know who you would move Terry for, or if you even decide to move him at the deadline.  When he commits like he did in the Toronto game, the Boston Celtics are better for it and Rozier’s stock rises.  I wish I could tell you guys the amount of times I’ve scrolled through Celtics Twitter during a game and fans are just ripping their hair out over Rozier (well the C’s as a whole too, but let’s focus on Terry here).

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I want Terry to go somewhere and thrive. He was tremendous in last year’s playoffs and filled in for Kyrie Irving better than anyone thought.  He’s not going to find the role he’s looking for here and that’s okay.

Someone is going to pay Terry Rozier a lot of money this summer, and he’s going to get a taste of being a full time starting point guard on a team.

Not bad for a mid-first round pick.