When the Boston Celtics made headlines this offseason, it was because of the departures of larger names like Jrue Vacation and Kristaps Porzingis. However quietly tucked below a heap of strikes was the addition of Josh Minott, a 6’8” 22-year-old wing. After spending his first three years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Minott arrives in Boston with a mix of athleticism, defensive versatility, and untapped potential that might make him a useful piece in Joe Mazzulla’s rotation.
Minott appeared in simply 46 video games final season, logging a complete of solely 276 minutes, most of which got here throughout rubbish time. Ideally, you’d desire a bigger pattern measurement to completely consider a participant, however even in restricted motion, Minott’s performances, each in significant stretches and blow out conditions, provide a reasonably clear image of his skillset. The central query, after reviewing all his minutes, is whether or not he can constantly maintain the issues he does properly when given extra time.
He has intriguing traits on either side of the ball however defensively is the place I feel he can assist this workforce essentially the most.
Minott is 100% one of many leagues most underrated defensive playmakers.
Relating to steals, Minott ranked within the 92nd percentile in each steals (2.5) and deflections (5.3) per 100 possessions in line with Databllr.com. Within the passing lane he’s an actual menace along with his fast response time, closing velocity, and wingspan. He’s in a position to diagnose reads swiftly and take them the opposite manner for transition alternatives. He confirmed the power to each apply sufficient stress to explode actions and play like a cornerback in open area to trace down a go within the air.
On the ball he makes use of the identical attributes plus spectacular agility for a 6’8” man.
I might positively classify Minott as extra of a defensive playmaker than a real stopper, however he does flash noteworthy performs the place the opponent is disrupted by his measurement and lateral motion. If he can enhance on this facet, his stature and traits counsel an at minimal 2 via 4 defender.
Within the shot blocking division, Minott was elite rating within the one centesimal percentile amongst small forwards with 2.1 blocks per 100 possessions. He additionally recorded a 4.2 cease share (a mixed metric of steals, blocks, and offensive fouls drawn), putting him within the 96th percentile league-wide. His vertical explosion actually shines right here, which is arguably his most spectacular trait. Even when an offensive participant positive aspects a step on him, Minott has the bounce and wingspan to shortly eat up area and alter or reject photographs on the rim.
Whereas it’s good to know he can do it on the ball, I feel the Celtics would profit most from him as a helper. This workforce misplaced the likes of Vacation, Al Horford, and Jayson Tatum (possibly) for this upcoming season, all however stripping away many of the workforce’s defensive versatility. Occasionally, these three guarded facilities so Porzingis, Luke Kornet, and Neemias Queta might matchup towards the opposing workforce’s weakest perimeter menace and assist on the rim. Except Minott will get stronger and/or reveals extra power than I’ve seen on movie, I don’t anticipate him to protect facilities. However the place he is usually a disruptor is flying in out of nowhere and contesting on the rim.
An enchancment in timing and self-discipline would elevate his impression even additional on this space, however there’s no questioning his motor and athleticism.
If there’s one space of concern with Minott defensively, it’s his tendency to foul. He MUST study to defend with out committing unlawful contact. Final season, he averaged 4.3 fouls per 100 possessions. Even throughout promising stints, he sometimes sabotaged his personal momentum by selecting up fast fouls. Studying to channel his power into extra managed chaos will likely be key to maximizing his impression and incomes constant minutes.
Minott’s offensive function is simple: knock down open threes, minimize with objective, set the occasional display, and end on the rim. Luckily, he was already utilized in an analogous capability throughout his time in Minnesota, primarily as a play finisher. In truth, 91% of his area aim makes an attempt got here both on the rim or from past the arc. An encouraging signal that he understands his function and performs inside it.
Minott shot 64% on the rim final season and whereas 79% of these makes had been assisted, he additionally demonstrated the power to assault closeouts with drive flashing some downhill potential.
I additionally wouldn’t thoughts Minott being utilized in chopping/dump off play varieties the place he can simply catch the ball and end.
Now to the skin shot which stays extra of a query mark.
Minott shot 33% from three final season, albeit on simply 43 complete makes an attempt. He fared barely higher on catch and shoot alternatives and nook threes, the place he related at a 35% clip. The mechanics aren’t the cleanest, but when he can replicate and even barely enhance on these numbers in Boston, it could go a great distance towards solidifying his function and spacing the ground for the workforce. Probably the most encouraging signal for me although is him being a profession 90% free throw shooter (41 makes an attempt).
Minott isn’t refined but as a handler and shouldn’t be doing a lot in that division, however I did see some surprising passing chops.
I’m nowhere close to advocating for reps as a handler however with the ability to make break up second or .5 selections is so essential. If he can add worth by being unselfish and making the suitable reads, that’ll assist his rotation odds.
Minott isn’t coming to Boston with excessive expectations, however his athleticism, size, and defensive playmaking match a transparent want for a workforce that simply misplaced a few of its most versatile defenders. His offensive function will stay restricted, but when he can knock down open threes at a decent fee and keep on the ground by chopping down on fouls, he might carve out a distinct segment at a crowded wing place.
