Does Terry Rozier need to start for another team?
By Cody Rivera
![SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 09: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics in action during a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 9, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 09: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics in action during a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 9, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b425568ea720d81512e4b90e0da86e905ede3af4dfd6ac6659a09a14b4ed7494.jpg)
Terry Rozier sent out a cryptic tweet on Tuesday morning, and it could be hinting that he wants to move on from the slumping Celtics.
Not even two weeks ago, I wrote that Terry Rozier was too important to the Boston Celtics for them to actually trade him away. He was basically an insurance plan for Kyrie Irving; should Irving get injured again, the Celtics could fall back on Rozier, who absolutely shined in Irving’s absence during last year’s playoffs.
But that was only at the beginning of the utter funk the Celtics are finding themselves in. Despite Rozier initially saying that returning to a bench role upon Irving’s return doesn’t bother him, that might not be the case. It’s never easy to take a demotion, no matter the reasoning behind it.
It might finally be coming to the surface that Rozier is unhappy with his role in Boston, and he might want out. On Tuesday morning, he left a cryptic tweet for fans to over-analyze:
Let’s do us ALL a favor
— Terry Rozier (@T_Rozzay3) November 20, 2018
This tweet could be about anything. But it’s not hard to believe there could be trouble in paradise. The Celtics are a disappointing 9-8, having lost six of their last nine, and there isn’t much Rozier can do about it. He’s not getting to play near as much as he did during the playoffs, and because of that, he’s only averaging 8.4 points and 4.4 assists this season.
Despite those numbers, Rozier is good enough to be a starting point guard in the NBA. He proved that during last year’s playoffs while filling in for Irving, when he averaged 16.5 points and even scored 26 points in the team’s Game 7 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round.
Rozier might not be quite on the same level as Irving, but he has a little bit of Irving in him. He’s feisty, energetic and he’s not afraid of the spotlight. Most of the time, he can be relied on to hit that game-tying 3-pointer as the clock expires, or to light a fire under this offense when it seems to be lagging.
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If Rozier had the opportunity to showcase his abilities as the starting point guard for another NBA team, it might be better for everyone. As long as Irving is around, Rozier won’t get that opportunity in Boston. As valuable as he can be to the team, it’s not going to help anybody if he’s unhappy with his role.
It would be tough for Celtics fans to see Rozier go, but maybe it’s something Danny Ainge actually does need to look into.