Hugo

González

The Celtics showed how much they wanted to prioritize Hugo when it got out that they didn’t want to trade him in a Giannis trade. Hugo will get ample opportunities this year to put up numbers. His ability to pass the ball gives high level effort on the boards and on defense, with a growing offensive game, there’s the framework for a good fantasy player if he continues to develop.

The Celtics did not play Jayson Tatum or Paul George on Thursday, and their absences opened spots in the starting lineup for González and Jordan Walsh (16 points, two rebounds, one assist, one block, and two three-pointers in 26 minutes). As a rookie, González had his moments of fantasy relevance, and head coach Joe Mazzulla has shown a willingness to give young players opportunities to contribute. That said, fantasy managers in redraft leagues are better served adding González to their post-draft watchlists than using a pick on him.

González was excellent in the win over the Kings on Wednesday. He’s averaging 18 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals after three Summer League games. González’ name came up in trade rumors this offseason, but with the Celtics’ hanging onto the 20-year-old guard, there should be opportunities for him to make some noise this season.

González didn’t have a great night shooting the basketball, going just 1-of-9 from beyond the arc. However, his ability to contribute in other ways was on display, with the second-year wing hitting double digits in rebounds and leading the Celtics in assists. It was reported earlier this summer that the Celtics refused to part ways with González, which contributed to their not getting Giannis Antetokounmpo. So it’s clear that the decision-makers in Boston think highly of him. While González is not a must-draft player in standard leagues, the injury history of the new addition, Paul George, makes it likely that Hugo will be fantasy-relevant at some point.

Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up on Tuesday morning, Charania reported that the Celtics were unwilling to include young players like Hugo González and Baylor Scheierman or add additional draft picks or pick swaps in their offer to the Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. While there was some speculation before the trade that González could be considered untouchable given the Celtics’ internal opinion of him, Charania said Boston simply believed their offer of Jaylen Brown and two unprotected first-round picks to be an aggressive offer. Apparently it wasn’t aggressive enough for the Bucks, who chose to accept Heat’s offer, which included more young players and draft picks.

González will get some extra rest after being a late addition to the injury report. Jordan Walsh and Baylor Scheierman should both play significant roles in this game with so many Celtics sidelined for the regular season finale.

Absent from the initial injury report, González has been added due to right foot pain. Given the number of Celtics who have already been ruled out for Sunday’s game, which will have no impact on the team’s playoff seeding, the rookie wing would miss out on an opportunity to play significant minutes if he can’t go.

Friday’s win over the Pelicans secured the No. 2 seed for the Celtics, giving them nothing to play for in Sunday’s regular-season finale. Brown and Tatum not playing frees up playing time for Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, Hugo González and recent signing Dalano Banton.

While Brown was present at pregame shootaround, the Celtics’ star did not participate. He’s now officially out, which could result in Jordan Walsh or Hugo González moving into the starting lineup.

Thursday’s game is the first of two in as many nights for the Celtics, who are one win away from locking up the two-seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs. While White sitting would likely push Payton Pritchard into the starting lineup, Jordan Walsh and Hugo González would have more prominent roles if Brown can’t play.