The Celtics' Best Role Players Since 2000: a Sportz Nation Special Report

Zak Drapeau
5 hours ago
11 min read

by Zak Drapeau and Joel Piton 10/5/2025 Sportz Nation

Jayson Tatum, Isaiah "King of the Fourth" Thomas, Paul "The Truth" Pierce, KG—the list goes on. These guys dominated the early 2000s, bled green, led the Celtics to title cusps and kept Boston going as one of the greatest sports franchises in history. But as with every franchise, behind those household names come glue guys, catalysts—role players that made it all possible. These guys steadied the ship, filled the gaps and made sure winning basketball was in reach. These unsung heroes kept Boston's fan support, excitement, and championship berths flowing, and it's time to show them some love. Without further ado, let's break down the BEST role players to where the green over the last quarter century.

Marcus Smart

#36

Height: 6'3" Seasons Played: 9 Position: PG

30.3 MPG | 10.6 PPG | 3.4 RPG | 2.5 APG | 38.6 FG%

Very few people embodied the Celtic spirit than Marcus Smart in the second half of the 2010's. Smart was the kind of player everyone in New England loves, gritty, physical, aggressive and a leader. Smart's physicality was honored in 2022 when he won the DPOY award; the only Guard to win the award in the last 30 years and only the 2nd Celtic to win the award, (Kevin Garnett-2008). Smart was a 3 time All-Defensive First Team member while on the Celtics as well. Smart's tenure in his later days of being on the Celtics was marred by bad chemistry with Jayson Tatum but there's NO DISPUTING his legacy and leadership on the Celtics that helped shape the new era we see in Boston today. A guy we all hope will sign a 1 day contract when he retires to be immortalized in Green and White.

Derrick White

Height: 6'3" Seasons Played: 4 Position: SG/PG

31.1 MPG | 14.2 PPG | 4.0 RPG | 4.5 APG | 44.3 FG%

A two-way defensive menace with a knack for hitting shots in the clutch, Derrick White’s rise deserves its own case study. Once a bench player in San Antonio, he has blossomed into a USA Olympic gold medalist and one of the NBA’s most complete guards. White’s versatility is his calling card—switching across positions, making life miserable for opposing scorers, and still finding time to hit threes at a 40% clip during Boston’s championship run. A back-to-back All-Defensive Team standout, he embodies the modern “glue guy” every contender craves. If his trajectory continues, sneaking into an All-Star Game isn’t out of the question.

Payton Pritchard

#11

Height: 6'1" Seasons Played: 5 Position: PG

20.2 MPG | 9.1 PPG | 2.7 RPG | 2.5 APG | 45.4 FG%

Champion, 6MOY and coldest white guy in the league right now? Payton Pritchard may have taken a few years to emerge in the league but there's no question he's arrived now. An integral part of the 2024 Championship run, Pritchard is expected to be elevated to a starting role in 2025 after winning 6MOY and averaging 14/4/3.5 last season. His dribbling and shooting ability combined with a streaky ability to drop 40 on people at random is enough to make him one of the best role players in the league and especially for this historic franchise.

Tony Allen

#42

Height: 6'4" Seasons Played: 6 Position: SG

18.4 MPG | 7.2 PPG | 2.6 RPG | 1.3 APG | 47.5 FG%

Hailed by the late, great Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant as one of the toughest defenders they ever faced, Tony Allen built his reputation on relentless perimeter defense and unshakable grit. A six-time All-Defensive Team selection over his career, Allen’s roots as a lockdown guard were planted in Boston. Across six seasons in green, he carved out a role as a high-energy defender off the bench, applying pressure in critical moments and setting the tone with his toughness. His 6’9” wingspan and Chicago-born edge made him capable of guarding multiple positions, and his defensive tenacity was a vital ingredient in the Celtics’ 2008 championship run.

Jeff Green

Height: 6'8" Seasons Played: 4 Position: SF

30.5 MPG | 14.6 PPG | 4.2 RPG | 1.5 APG | 44.5 FG%

People forget about those mid-2010's Celtics during one of their worst periods as a franchise so Jeff Green doesn't always get remembered but he was hooping-hooping. Averaging just shy of 17 points per game in 2014, Green never made that star status next to Rajon Rondo in the midst of 30-win seasons but was absolutely a beloved member of the Celtics and could easily be argued was a Top-5 Role Player of the last 25 years.

Ricky Davis

#12

Height: 6'7" Seasons Played: 3 Position: SG/SF

33.8 MPG | 16.2 PPG | 3.7 RPG | 3.4 APG | 46.9 FG%

At his peak, Ricky Davis was a pure bucket-getter—the kind of scorer who could fill it up from anywhere and he flirted with All-Star consideration in the early 2000s. In Boston, he thrived as a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year in 2004–05 before sliding into a starting role and averaging nearly 20 points per game the following season. Though often labeled a ball-hog and criticized for his shot selection, Davis’ production was undeniable. On a Celtics team struggling to find its footing, his offense kept them afloat, helping Boston stay in the playoff picture during an otherwise turbulent stretch.

Avery Bradley

Height: 6'2" Seasons Played: 7 Position: SG/PG

28.1 MPG | 12.1 PPG | 3.1 RPG | 1.7 APG | 43.9 FG%

Just like Green in our earlier entry, Bradley was a super impressive player who was lost in the mid-2010's Celtics. Bradley was one of the best two-way players on the Celtics in this time as well, consistently guarding the opposing team's best player while also dropping 16 points per game for years. For 2014-2017 you can make an argument that Bradley was the team's marquee player but never quite made that jump to step out of the shadows of players like Rondo, Allen and Smart.

Jae Crowder

#99

Height: 6'6" Seasons Played: 3 Position: SF

29.8 MPG | 12.8 PPG | 5.2 RPG | 1.8 APG | 44.1 FG%

A 6’6” versatile swingman, Jae Crowder arrived in Boston in 2014 as part of the trade that sent Rajon Rondo to Dallas. What looked like a throw-in quickly became the Celtics’ answer on the wing in the post-Pierce era. Crowder carved out a starting role by 2015, bringing defensive grit, hustle on the glass, and underrated playmaking to Brad Stevens’ system. By 2017, he had developed into a reliable two-way threat, shooting nearly 40% from three while often playing up a position as a small-ball four. Though his tenure in green was brief, Crowder was central to Boston’s transition from lottery-bound to a rising playoff contender, helping lay the foundation for the team’s next chapter.

Gordon Hayward

#20

Height: 6'7" Seasons Played: 3 Position: SF

28.9 MPG | 13.9 PPG | 6.4 RPG | 3.6 APG | 48.9 FG%

And together as Celtics fans, we all collectively groan at just the thought of Gordon Hayward in Clover Green. If history weren't so cruel, Hayward would have never made a "Role Players" list and would have been among the Brown, Allen and Walker category just below Superstars but... well we all remember what happened. What people may not remember was how good Hayward was after he recovered from his broken ankle; in 2019-20 he averaged 17.5 points, 4 assists and almost 7 rebounds. Hayward sadly never returned to his late-Utah form after his injury and remains one of the most graphic and infamous images in Celtics' history but you can not take away from the fact that he was such a huge part of the Celtics' days in the early Tatum-and-Brown era.

Robert Williams

#44

Height: 6'9" Seasons Played: 5 Position: C

20.5 MPG | 7.3 PPG | 6.9 RPG | 1.4 APG | 73.2 FG%

Early in his career, Rob "Time Lord" Williams drew criticism for immaturity and a laid-back approach, but he quickly flipped the narrative to become Boston’s anchor in the paint. Williams shot over 70% from the field in every season he donned green, finishing top-three leaguewide in field goal percentage four straight years. His breakout came in 2021–22, when he emerged as both an elite rim protector and efficient lob threat, averaging 2.2 blocks per game while anchoring Boston’s top-ranked defense. Williams played a pivotal role in the Celtics’ 2022 Finals run, frustrating Bam Adebayo and controlling the interior through seven grueling games. Though his Celtics tenure ended a few years back, his rim protection, energy, and percentages left a lasting mark on the franchise.

Malcolm Brogdon

#13

Height: 6'4" Seasons Played: 1 Position: PG/SG

26.0 MPG | 14.9 PPG | 4.2 RPG | 3.7 APG | 48.4 FG%

Malcolm Brogdon’s time in Boston was brief, but impactful. In his lone season with the Celtics, he provided instant offense off the bench, averaging 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting a scorching 44% from deep—the fourth-best mark in the league. His steady scoring punch helped fuel a 57-win campaign and earned him the 2023 Sixth Man of the Year award. A model of efficiency, Brogdon has long flirted with the exclusive 50-40-90 club. However, his Celtics tenure ended on a sour note, with tensions rising after a failed trade to Portland and his eventual departure the following offseason. While his exit was far from smooth, Brogdon’s season of efficiency and poise remains one of the bright spots in Boston’s modern role player history.

Kendrick Perkins

#43

Height: 6'10" Seasons Played: 8 Position: C

22.3 MPG | 6.4 PPG | 6.1 RPG | 1.0 APG | 56.3 FG%

If all you remember about Perk is his horrible takes on First Take these days and being the most famous poster of the 21st century... well we can't blame you. But make sure you also remember that this man was drafted by the Celtics, played 8 seasons for us and was a key part in the 2008 championship. A defensive Center, Perk was the starter with KG in the front court and knew his role of rebounding a shot blocking and played it well.

Kristaps Porzingis

Height: 7'2" Seasons Played: 2 Position: PF/C

29.3 MPG | 19.8 PPG | 7.0 RPG | 2.0 APG | 50.2 FG%

Kristaps Porzingis’ Celtics tenure was brief and injury-riddled, with just 99 appearances across two seasons. Yet when Boston needed him most, the 7’2” big man delivered. Despite battling through a compromised body and visible limitations, Porzingis suited up for the NBA Finals, giving the Celtics a critical interior presence against Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively. His ability to stretch the floor, alter shots at the rim, and simply draw defensive attention changed the geometry of the series. Playing through injury to chase a banner, Porzingis earns his place among the Celtics’ most impactful role players.

Raef LaFrentz

#45

Height: 6'11" Seasons Played: 3 Position: C/PF

25.5 MPG | 9.2 PPG | 5.8 RPG | 1.3 APG | 46.6 FG%

Okay, I (Zak) had honestly never heard of this dude until Joel told me about it a week ago. But I am here to tell you now, that Raef LaFrentz was balling back in the day. From 2003-2006 when the Celtics were gearing up for their run, LaFrentz was playing an early-Garnett role. In his 2nd season in 2005, LaFrentz averaged 11 and 7 while shooting .50/.36/.81. He may have not been in town for too long but you can't deny in the days before the Celtics climbed the mountain in 2008, LaFrentz was a key part in getting the team ready to be champions.

Kenny Anderson

Height: 6'1" Seasons Played: 5 Position: PG

30.2 MPG | 11.3 PPG | 3.0 RPG | 5.2 APG | 43.5 FG%

Before Paul Pierce’s rise and long before the Big Three era, Kenny Anderson was the steady hand that kept Boston afloat. “Mr. Chibbs” anchored the point guard spot for five seasons, bringing sharp passing, crafty ball-handling, and quick hands on defense. The Celtics were VERY mediocre through most of his tenure, reaching the playoffs only in Anderson’s final season (2001–02), but without his presence, the late ’90s might have been unwatchable for Boston fans. Not known as a long-range shooter, Anderson made his living in the midrange and was one of the early guards to weaponize the floater. By the time he closed out his Celtics career, he was the team’s lead distributor and a reliable veteran who bridged eras during some of the franchise’s leanest years.

Glen Davis

#11

Height: 6'9" Seasons Played: 4 Position: PF/C

21.0 MPG | 7.6 PPG | 4.1 RPG | .8 APG | 44.9 FG%

Is "Big Baby" the greatest nickname in NBA history? Probably not but it may be the most memorable in Boston's history. Davis was never the marquee guy to average 20 and 10 but he was a consistent 7th man the team could count on for offensive ability and a solid rebounder off the bench. Not a key player but on the team for the 2008-run, Davis would have his best season 3 years later in his last in Boston when he averaged 12 and 5 with 1.0 steals per game as well as a starter for the team. Still though... "BIG BABY" is iconic and deserves to be on this list.

Wally Szczerbiak

#55

Height: 6'7" Seasons Played: 2 Position: SF

32.4 MPG | 16.3 PPG | 3.5 RPG | 2.4 APG | 44.7 FG%

Acquired in the trade that sent Ricky Davis out of town, Wally Szczerbiak immediately gave the Celtics a new look on the wing. At 6’7”, he brought size, shooting touch, and versatility, knocking down over 40% of his threes in Boston while occasionally slotting in at the shooting guard. Unlike his predecessor, Szczerbiak played within the flow of the offense, proving to be a willing passer and complementary scorer rather than a ball-hog. Unfortunately, recurring ankle injuries derailed his run in green, limiting him to just 64 total games. Still, his brief stint provided Boston with a glimpse of the kind of two-way balance the team was chasing in the mid-2000s.

Delonte West

#13

Height: 6'3" Seasons Played: 4 Position: SG

27.6 MPG | 9.8 PPG | 3.0 RPG | 3.7 APG | 45.3 FG%

Though his NBA career ended on a tough note, Delonte West in his prime was a dynamic, two-way guard who brought juice to the Celtics’ backcourt. At just 22 years old in 2005–06, West emerged as Boston’s primary point guard, finishing third on the team in field-goal percentage (48%) and starting 71 of 71 games played. His quick first step, crafty behind-the-back dribbles, and southpaw attack made him a difficult cover, and his ability to slide between the one and two spots gave the Celtics flexibility. West’s first three seasons in Boston suggested real long-term potential, but he was dealt away for Ray Allen ahead of the 2008 title run. He returned briefly in 2010, but it wasn't the same output. Even without the ultimate hardware, West’s offensive skill set and fearless style made the Celtics a far more watchable team in the mid-2000s.

Brandon Bass

#30

Height: 6'8" Seasons Played: 4 Position: PF

27.3 MPG | 10.6 PPG | 5.5 RPG | 1.1 APG | 48.9 FG%

I will stand 10-toes down and tell everyone that Brandon Bass was a lot better than you remember. In 4 seasons in Boston this man barely missed any games, played any role he was asked to, could average 12 points per game or 6 rebounds per game and never had any drama. Bass is never really appreciated or even remembered in Celtics' lore but is critically undervalued.

Brian Scalabrine

#44

Height: 6'9" Seasons Played: 5 Position: PF

13.1 MPG | 2.7 PPG | 1.5 RPG | .7 APG | 38.0 FG%

"I am closer to Lebron than you are to me."

In the long line of greats in Boston Celtics' history, Brian Scalabrine is not one of them. What he is though is a perfect example of how a star can be born in this city no matter who you are. Forever to be known as an NBA Champion, Scalabrine's best season was 2007 when he averaged 4 points and 2 rebounds on 19 minutes per game but will forever be synonymous with the Green and White and is also a very underrated media personality both in commentary and when he's making street ballers look silly on "The Scallenge".

The All-Stars might get the glory, but role players are the heartbeat of any contender. From the lockdown defenders to the floor spacers, the spark plugs off the bench to the steady vets in the locker room, these Celtics held the franchise down through highs and lows. Without them, the story of the last 25 years of Celtics basketball simply doesn’t get written.