Tyler Zeller

In moving from Cleveland to Boston last summer, Zeller had his best season in his short three-year career. The former Tar Heel played in all 82 games and increased his scoring (5.7 to 10.2 points per game), free throw shooting (72 to 82 percent) and rebounding (4.0 to 5.7 per game). He also started 59 games due to the Celtics' desperate need for even moderate rim protection. Zeller's modest 0.6 blocks per game ranked second on the team. The concern is that Zeller's 2014-15 season may be his ceiling. This season, Zeller will face stiffer competition for minutes due to the Celtics' offseason acquisitions of David Lee and Amir Johnson. Expect coach Brad Stevens to continuously mix and match frontcourt lineups that will include a healthy dose of Zeller, Lee, Johnson, Jared Sullinger, and Kelly Olynyk. Stevens does a great job of changing lineups to frustrate opponents, but the approach also frustrates fantasy players. Expect Zeller to rotate in and out of the starting lineup and see his 21 minutes per game drop. Likewise, the Celtic rotation will probably again change drastically at the February trade deadline, whn GM Danny Ainge could leverages his bevy of assets to upgrade the roster. Where that will leave Zeller for the second half of the season is yet to be determined.

After the Celtics flirted with trading for Kevin Love in the offseason, Zeller's acquisition is what could be called an underwhelming consolation prize. But the former Cavalier gives Boston much-needed size at center and is positioned to be their non-draft acquisition with the most impact. The Celtics were starving for a center last season, often using Jared Sullinger or Kelly Olynyk out of position. In Zeller, the 17th overall pick in the 2012 draft, they get a big who can run the floor, shoot, and defend the rim. The Cavs weren't looking to get rid of him until it became clear they needed the space to sign LeBron James. In 70 games for Cleveland last season, Zeller averaged 5.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks in 15 minutes per game. He's a serviceable young player that wouldn't start for every team but will have the opportunity to compete for the top spot in Boston. Though he's a bit raw, the Celtics can afford to give him the space needed to develop, even as a backup to Sullinger.

Zeller had a solid career at North Carolina before being chosen with the 17th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by Dallas before being sent to Cleveland. Zeller has size but despite that fact, he only averaged 9.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game his senior season. His upside is limited, but most folks think he can become a respectable starting center in this league. He will get enough playing time to pull down a handful of rebounds per game while swatting the occasional shot, but his points totals should not be all that special.