It's going to be a tough call (whom to keep)

[DERRENMATTS]

If the battle is still between Hunter and Young, I think due to Hunter's versatility (he handles the ball and has some passing ability) he has a leg up.

Neither has proven to be the clear cut better choice, which in some ways is disappointing. As Scal said on the telecast, these guys are playing for their jobs. Unfortunately, someone will not make it past summer.

[jmost]

Well, we're talking about a 5th guard or 4th small forward here. Neither one is likely to get many minutes this year. Next year we add a pretty high draft pick, Yabusele and Zizic. And the next year, 2 more first rounders. I'm not sure either one is here for the long haul. I'm not sure either one is even in the league very long. I can't really say why, but if I had to bet I'd say Hunter sticks and Young gets traded for a future late first/2nd rounder.

[FLCeltsFan]

Good article on this subject in the Globe.  I'm including the whole thing here because the globe only allows 5 articles a month and some may not be able to read it.

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has been with the team during this four-day trip, sitting in on shoot arounds and practices, and sitting behind the bench for Thursday’s preseason game against the Nets.

For Ainge, the countdown to the season opener on Oct. 26 has begun, and his most pressing order of business until then will be finalizing the 15-man roster. Sixteen of the 20 Celtics in training camp have guaranteed contracts this season, so one of them will have to go.

“My job is going to be very difficult,” Ainge said. “Sometimes when you get in these situations they work themselves out, but that certainly hasn’t been the case yet. The only clarity is that they’re all NBA players.”

The Celtics faced a similar roster crunch last year, but it was always believed that Perry Jones III would be released. This season, the scenario is more cloudy.

Third-year wing James Young and second-year guard R.J. Hunter have long appeared to be in a battle for the final roster spot. But Ainge cautioned that the field has not necessarily been narrowed to just those two players.

Rookie Demetrius Jackson, a second-round pick from Notre Dame, has a guaranteed $1.45 million deal this season. Veteran wing Gerald Green, meanwhile, was signed for the minimum of $1.4 million, with the Celtics guaranteeing about $980,000.

Ideally, Ainge said, the Celtics would complete a trade rather than simply waive a player, and he said the Celtics have “been in conversations” about a possible deal. Of course, the return in such a deal would hardly be sizable, and other NBA teams are aware the Celtics will have to release a player soon.

Celtics coach Brad Stevens has been part of ongoing discussions with Ainge about the construction of this year’s roster. The two will have a more focused talk when it is time to pare the group, but for now Stevens sees why it will be a challenging exercise for Ainge.

“I think the one thing that’s been very clear is there’s nothing really clear with regard to that right now, as far as finalizing our 15 people on the roster,” Stevens said. “They’ve all really, really improved, really made great strides. It’s going to be a tough call to ultimately not have a couple of these guys on our roster full-time.”

Young, Hunter, Jackson, and Green have all had bright moments during the preseason, but none in such a way that would make Ainge’s choice obvious.

In four games, Young is averaging 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds and shooting 38.5 percent from the field, while Hunter is averaging 3.5 points and 1.8 assists and shooting 30.8 percent. Both have struggled defensively at times.

“I’m not thinking about it at all,” Young said of the battle to make the final roster. “That’s just only going to put more pressure on me. I’m not really thinking about any of that. We’ve got great guys on the team, so I’m just going out there and playing basketball.”

“I think me being in this position makes me appreciate it all the more,” Hunter said. “I’m just having fun. I haven’t had to worry about [making the team] since they brought it up in the summer. I’m just continuing to help the team now.”

Jackson had 9 points in 15 minutes in a win against the Hornets last Saturday, but has played a total of just 7 minutes otherwise. Green missed the first two preseason games with a strained hip flexor but has showed his scoring ability over the last two, averaging 11.5 points.

Even though Green appears in a good position to make the final roster, he said he is not taking anything for granted. He said he wants to show that he deserves a spot.

“I feel like that’s why I’ve been trying to step on the court, because I feel like I haven’t really done anything to feel like I’ve proved myself,” he said. “I’m not trying to prove myself in the NBA; I feel like I’ve already done that. But I just want to prove myself to this team, to this organization.”

Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas, who was once in an uncertain roster position as the last pick of the 2011 draft, said the players trying to make this year’s team should not stray from what got them to this point.

“Just be yourself, because if you just try to be something that you think they want and then get cut, you’re going to be mad at yourself,” Thomas said. “So just do what got you here and be a hell of a teammate and outwork everybody, the things you can control. You can’t control if the ball goes in the basket; you control how hard you play, how good of a teammate you are, and the work you put in.”

[DERRENMATTS]

So either Mickey's job is safe, or he's already on the outside not even in the discussion for the 15th spot. He wasn't mentioned in this article and neither was Bentil (whom I assume will be cut).

If this reporter is accurate, the battle comes down to Young, Hunter, Demetrius Jackson and Gerald Green.

Of these 4, Green makes the most impact this season (and maybe behond).

[jmost]

Yeah, I don't think there's any question that Green would help the team the most this season. As the pre-season marches on, some team will incur an injury and suddenly have a need. At that point Danny can step in and trade our surplus for future considerations. Or maybe Jackson and either Hunter or Young can be involved in a two for one deal. I don't think it's a big deal either way, but it will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

[DERRENMATTS]

Ainge is looking to trade rather than cut. Might have to throw in second round draft picks to entice a trade though.

[oldtimeball]

I get the impression that Danny is telling us that he is going to trade someone. Someone we don't expect

[DERRENMATTS]

Hunter made a case for himself tonight. The Knicks were on the verge of a big comeback, and then he took over the offense over the next handful of possessions, thst helped build back a double digit lead.

[joshrblabber]

Agreed. I think Hunter may have nailed down his spot tonight.

[DERRENMATTS]

Hunter might not have Green's "spurt-ability" or explosiveness, but he offers more things, and Brad likes that.

Young, all things considered, is out the door, IMO. Still lost on defense, still is a poor ball handler, still adds little value anywhere else if his shot isn't falling.

Jordan Mickey is disappointing. Shot blocking was supposed to be his forte, but its been non-existent. Big men take longer to develop, so they say, but I don't know if we have room on the roster to wait for him to pan out.

[Roadrunner]

My guess is that Hunter stays, Young is gone (this year). Next year,I expect both Yabusele and Zizic to make the team, hence Zeller will be gone, maybe Mickey. Green I believe is a 1-year deal.

[jmost]

Is Green playing himself out of a spot? I had assumed he was a lock, but now I'm not sure. He was probably never anything more than insurance in case both Young and Hunter failed to show anything. Now, with both playing better, and his being considerably older, maybe he's the one to go. Being more of a known quantity, and on a vet minimum contract, he could be easier to move.

[DERRENMATTS]

Demetrius Jackson is making a case for himself.

This is tough. Between Jackson, Green, Hunter and Mickey (I think Young is the odd man out, as is Bentil), we can only keep 2 of them.

[jmost]

I don't think that's right, DM. I believe if Young and Bentil are cut or traded, there is room for all the rest. We get to keep 15, right?

www.basketballinsiders.com/boston-celtics-team-salary/

I agree that Jackson is looking good.

[oldtimeball]

I was excited to see us sign Gerald green.. Cheap money.. But can't figure out whether he might get cut or traded.. Or if he is healthy..