In a strange twist of fate, the Boston Celtics’ injury woes reportedly could result in addition by subtraction.
Depending on the results of Kyrie Irving’s “minimally invasive” knee surgery procedure, the C’s might look to add another player via the “hardship roster exception,” NBC Sports Boston’s A. Sherrod Blakely reported Friday. NBA teams only are eligible for the exception if they have four players miss a minimum of three consecutive games, and who later are ruled out for at least two more weeks.
Boston already has met three of the four requirements: Gordon Hayward has been out since the season opener with a dislocated ankle, Daniel Theis is out for the season after suffering a torn meniscus and Marcus Smart reportedly is out at least until the playoffs after having surgery to repair a torn thumb ligament.
After Irving undergoes his knee procedure, an independent doctor reportedly will determine if his recovery time, in conjunction with the aforementioned injuries, meet the criteria for the roster exception. The C’s have yet to offer a timetable for Irving, but the star point guard reportedly will be sidelined until just before the start of the playoffs — if not longer.
So, who could the Celtics add if they’re granted the exception?
First of all: If Boston adds another player, that player won’t be allowed to participate in the postseason, according to Blakely. That means the Celtics likely would look at adding someone from the G League, including from their own affiliate, the Maine Red Claws.
One potential candidate is former No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett, who joined the Red Claws in December. In 21 games for Maine, the 25-year-old Bennett averaged 16.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
