Since the Boston Celtics were embarrassingly eliminated in the first round, all the talk surrounding the Boston Celtics has been regarding a potential Jaylen Brown-Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Despite the recent chatter, we shouldn’t expect President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens to break up the Jays (yet) and instead see a revamped iteration of the core in October.Â
However, fans shouldn’t anticipate significant changes. If Boston stays under the luxury tax for this upcoming season, they would no longer be in the repeater tax in 2027-2030, when they can go back to their spending ways. If this is the case, expect Stevens and company to target under-the-radar players at a cheap cost once again.Â
One player who would be a slam-dunk addition on a cheap deal is current New York Knicks forward Jeremy Sochan.Â
Jeremy Sochan could be a good fit in Boston
Now, adding Sochan alone won’t make the Celtics title contenders. In fact, looking at Boston’s current roster, he would be a strange fit given that he isn’t a good shooter. He’s a 28.6% career shooter from three, and his shooting form definitely needs to be fixed. So, why add him?Â
Well, for starters, the former No. 9 overall selection has several traits that Boston could use in their rotation. He’s got great defensive instincts, is capable of guarding one through four, and has a high motor on the glass. That alone should intrigue head coach Joe Mazzulla, who was benching players left and right for not coming down with rebounds.Â
Sochan is also a good screener and can be a consistent lob threat. Additionally, he’s also a capable playmaker and was even used as a point forward at times during his tenure with the San Antonio Spurs.
With Jrue Holiday gone and Jayson Tatum out for the majority of the season, the Celtics lacked a reliable playmaker. Considering the Celtics were interested in Ben Simmons last Summer, they could look to Sochan to help boost them in this category, as they finished tied with the third-fewest assists (24.6) in the league.Â
Of course, Sochan isn’t flawless, and there’s a reason he isn’t a contributor for the Knicks amidst their playoff run. The Polish native is somewhat undersized for his position at 6-foot-7 and cannot generate shots for himself.Â
Jeremy Sochan could be a low-risk, high-reward signing for the Celtics
Because he lacks a reliable shot, opposing defenses tend to sag off him, resulting in less spacing for others to operate. However, at only 23 years old, there is still plenty of room for Sochan to develop his shot, and there’s arguably no better place to do it than in Boston. Â
More importantly, the Oklahoma native fits the mold of the player Stevens has targeted throughout his tenure in Boston. Looking at last year alone, Stevens went after players who can provide impact in spurts on the glass, defense, and dives for lost balls on cheap contracts
This was the Celtics’ identity last year with Luka Garza, who ended up reaping the benefits and emerging as a contributor down the stretch. With Sochan being an unrestricted free agent, he can take a similar approach and increase his value in Boston on a prove-it deal.Â
If he did choose to wear the legendary green and white colors, he would have a prominent role off the bench behind Brown and Tatum. With his versatility, the Celtics could use him in small-ball lineups and have him guard the five or at the four alongside Neemias Queta or Garza.Â
Furthermore, he could also take the task of guarding the best wing player and help facilitate on the second unit.Â
While he wouldn’t be the superstar addition many fans are hoping for, he represents the low-risk, high-reward addition that Stevens has been targeting. If Boston aims to go this way again, expect Sochan to be top of the priority list.
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