Celtics' Jared Sullinger (#7) defends against Brooklyn Nets' Thomas Robinson during their preseason game. (Photo : Getty Images)
Sometimes too much depth is a problem. The Boston Celtics has a surplus of power forwards right now and because of that last season's starter Jared Sullinger is reportedly on the trading block as head coach Brad Stevens favors David Lee and Tyler Zeller for the starting frontcourt spots.
Sports World Report noted that new acquisition Amir Johnson and Kelly Olynyk are Stevens' choice as primary backups, leaving Sullinger and Swedish big man Jonas Jerebko as the third stringers up front.
Zeller is actually the only legitimate center in the Celtics' roster as Olynyk and Jerebko are also natural power forwards that are converted into centers. Jerebko is a special case as he can also slide into the small forward spot because he is mainly an outside offensive player, not a post-up one, and he can also defend from the wings because of his length and lateral quickness, unlike the undersized Sullinger.
Stevens also said that he is planning to field in not more than four big men per night during games, which means Sullinger will only have the opportunity to enter the court if one from Lee, Zeller, Johnson, and Olynyk would be unavailable in a game.
"My thought right now is we won't play more than four on most nights," Stevens told reporters during Monday's practice, as reported by Hoops Habit. "Whoever those four may be, may depend on the night, may depend on how they're playing, may depend on who is healthy."
With this "rule" established in the regular season, Sullinger may become putrid on the bench, getting less playing time that he used to have.
Sooner or later, if the Celtics go on to have an incredible start to the season, then the opportunists Danny Ainge may look to free up the logjam in the team's frontline and trade for more wing players or guards.
In that case, Sullinger's head is the first in line to go. But it remains to be seen whether he would really be out of Boston before the February trade deadline comes.
