Evaluating the market for Brad Wanamaker

https://hardwoodhoudini.com/2020/10/16/boston-celtics-evaluating-brad-wanamaker/



Evaluating the market for Brad Wanamaker



by Andrew DiIorio

4 hours ago



With Brad Wanamaker hitting restricted free agency, the Boston Celtics must gauge his value by observing the open market.

Brad Wanamaker is the lone official Boston Celtics free agent this offseason, as he enters restricted free agency off of his second year in green. This year, Wanamaker struggled in some regular-season games, but got it together in the playoffs, giving the Cs capable backup point guard minutes, and knocking down open shots from the perimeter.

The 31-year-old averaged 6.9 points in 71 games in the 2019-2020 season, while shooting just under 45 percent from the field, 36 percent from three, and a league-best 92.6% from the free-throw line.

Along with those shooting stats, he recorded two rebounds, 2.5 assists, and just shy of a steal per contest. He improved immensely on defense, as with his 210-pound frame and his quick feet, he always had the tools to guard opposing one guards. Coach Brad Stevens called on him for almost 20 minutes a game this season, indicating his precision on both sides of the ball.

Wanamaker has proven he can work well in the Boston Celtics’ system, with 89 percent of his three-point attempts being assisted on. This means that the better Celtics ball handlers such as Jayson Tatum and Gordon Hayward can drive to the paint and kick out to the Philly native, getting him frequent open looks.

In the playoffs, the sophomore guard used his short release to get off his shot even more, draining 44 percent of his shots from beyond the arc, forcing opponents to respect his ability to hit from deep.

As well as being able to play off-ball, over 80 percent of his attempts on the year were from either within 10 feet of the basket or a three-pointer, something that the Boston Celtics coaching staff and front office love to see. This means he’s taking efficient shots from a mathematical perspective, following the natural trajectory of the league.

As for contract negotiations, Boston would obviously love to keep him around. Being a restricted free agent, he will likely get offers from other teams, but Beantown has the right to match any potential offer that he receives. Danny Ainge will try to lock Wanamaker up for at least two years, securing above-average backup point guard play, which is essential for teams trying to compete for a championship.

As for comparable deals, look to T.J. McConnell with the Indiana Pacers, as he signed a two-year deal worth $7M last offseason. This would put the annual salary at $3.5M, which would allow the Celtics a little bit of room to improve, while not expending too much money to retain a rotational player.

That said, do not expect the team to offer more than $5M annually, as that would put the shamrocks even deeper into the tax, a bill they want to limit as much as possible without cutting down their chances at competing.

If another team were to offer more than $5M per year, which is unlikely, expect Ainge to cut their losses on Wanamaker and develop another backup ball-handler, or look to the draft for a guard.

Fortunately, C’s fans can expect Wanamaker to be on the team for next season, as both sides most definitely want to get a deal done.


Bob
MY NOTE:  I'm a big Wanny fan.  He had a bit of a slump mid-season this year but everybody does and there's a lot to like about him.  If we can keep him without breaking the bank I'm all for it.  Let some other team spend years developing Kira Lewis and Cole Anthony.

1.  He led the league in ft% at 92.6%.  Because he has only been in the league for 2 years, and had a limited role last year, he doesn't have enough ftas to qualify for the All-Time Leader board for ft%, but he's 91.5% career-to-date.  The current All-Time leader is Steph Curry, at 90.56%.  You need 1200 ftas to qualify, so I don't see Wanny at age 31 and with only 136 ftas/career so far to ever qualify, but he's that good.  It's hard to let go of someone who is the best in the league at something.

2.  He shot 36% from 3 on the year but 44.4% from 3 in the playoffs.  We want players who UP their games during the playoffs.

3.  He shot 44.8% from the field during the season but 48.3% in the playoffs.

4.  Brad knows exactly what he's going to get when he puts Wanny in.  He's getting steady leadership, solid defense, a physical body and a minimum of brain farts. In other words, a veteran, and we need them on the bench probably more than we need anything else.


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They can do worst as a BU guard. I like the deal proposed on the article 2 years at around $3.5M per year seems right for both sides.

next will be to get Hayward to opt out and re-sign at around $20M per year or even less.

I really like Wanamaker on the Celtics.

Sure there may be better players, but better guys cost more. This guy has done a great job as a second unit guard at both ends of the court last season. Scores efficiently, always hustles, kills free throws, plays good defense, does not complain, teammates and coaches seem to like him, etc. Is there much more that anyone can ask from him at this time?

I say the team should keep him at least until one of the rookie guards can get good enough to force him off the second unit.

He didn't shrink in the playoffs. He is a keepah for a couple of seasons for $3.5M, even if he eventually gets pushed back to 3rd or 4th point guard off the bench.

BW was solid.  

I hope he comes back.

Def keep Wanny. Def!

I hope they find a way to keep him. He is solid, a good backup, and a good teammate.