Celtics may already have the next hidden gem on their roster

The Boston Celtics have discovered Josh Minott, a 6'8" wing player who is already making a strong impression early in his tenure with the team. John Hollinger expressed excitement about Minott on the Zach Lowe Show, and his role is becoming clear: the Celtics intend for him to disrupt opponents, potentially making him an indispensable player on the court.

In the preseason opener, Minott demonstrated significant impact with eight points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block in 26 minutes. Celtics reporter Jack Simone praised his all-around presence, noting that Minott is constantly around the ball, excelling in areas like corner crashing, offensive rebounds, off-ball cutting, and steals.

Minott is close to a breakout season, with the Celtics seen as an ideal environment for his development. Brad Stevens targeted him after he saw limited playing time over three seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who let him go in free agency as they focused on contending. Boston signed him to a two-year deal, filling a need for perimeter defense following the departures of players like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis.

The Celtics have a history of elevating players such as Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, and Minott could be the next to benefit from their development system. His main area for improvement is 3-point shooting, as he has made 20 of 59 attempts in his career but took five in the preseason opener. The coaching staff is encouraging him to shoot with confidence, given Boston's track record in developing jump shooters.

Minott represents a valuable find as a versatile 6'8" wing on a minimum contract, fitting the profile of a 3-and-D player that contending teams seek. He is expected to become a fan favorite and contribute to winning, adding to Brad Stevens' reputation for uncovering talent. The Celtics are not treating this as a rebuilding year, aiming to compete strongly with players like Jayson Tatum returning from injury, and Minott's emergence could help them surprise many observers.