Following the recent signing of Svi Mykhailiuk, the Boston Celtics now have one available roster place.
According to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe, Brad Stevens and the Celtics front office may enter the next season with their final roster place empty to give them more flexibility in the early going.
"According to a league source, there are no imminent plans to fill the opening, and the team may wait to see which other players become available as cuts are made around the NBA during preseason,"
Himmelsbach reported. "They may seek additional frontcourt help, but they may also seek a good developmental piece regardless of position."
Boston isn't unfamiliar with keeping the final roster position vacant. Last season, Stevens used the same strategy, which allows the Celtics to react quickly if a player is dismissed or a trade becomes a possibility.
With the extra space, the Celtics may function as a "middleman" in a larger deal or bring back two guys, and there's no need to cut someone if a veteran shakes loose.
In general, the 15th roster space serves as a 'break glass in case of emergency' position on the squad. Anyone occupying the final slot in the rotation is unlikely to have a consistent impact.
However, considering Boston's big man rotation's injury history, adding an extra body would be a great insurance policy.