Celtics Roster Breakdown

Before the Boston Celtics open their 2016-17 slate at home against the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday night, let's take at their final roster and how they'll look heading into the season.

Guards (5)- Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, Demetrius Jackson

Note: Thomas and Bradley will be the two starters in the back court, while the other three will see time off the bench. Thomas is, of course, the team's top offensive weapon, as he led Boston with an average of 22.2 points per game last season. Bradley can also score and shoots a decent percentage from outside, along with a strong presence on defense. Smart, who sprained his ankle in the team's final preseason game last week, is expected to miss the opener. There have been no definitive reports ruling the third year guard out, however. Whether or not he starts the season injured, Smart figures to play a large role on this year's team as the first guard off the bench. From there, second year player Terry Rozier and rookie Demetrius Jackson, who impressed during summer league play, will see some time. Rozier was fluxed into increased duty down the stretch last season, because of Bradley's injury. The young guard even saw playoff time and has the capability to make plays on the court. Expect him to get Smart's time in the first few games of the season, if he does not play.

Swing Forwards (4)- Jae Crowder, Jaylen Brown, Gerald Green, James Young

Note: Crowder will start at the small forward position, just like he did last season. After averaging just under 15 points per game and adding quality defense last season, the 26-year-old is poised for another large role in his second full year with the C's. Brown was the team's selection with the third overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft and has shown a more advanced skill set than initially advertised this preseason. The physical specimen is still working on his overall game but has shown some exciting flashes and figures to see legitimate playing time this season. Green rejoins the team that originally drafted him into the league in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft. After fizzling out early in his first go around with Boston, Green bounced around to six other NBA teams and even sat out a year. He has shown some offensive ability throughout his nine year career, averaging an even 10 points per game during his time in the league and will likely try to add some scoring power off the bench for the team. Young was the final player to make the roster, beating out second year player R.J. Hunter just a couple of days ago. the third year pro has been underwhelming throughout his brief career, but his high draft status and physical build have continued to keep him around. Though he is still young in age, he has seemed to mature a bit and adds the potential to be a solid defender at his position. While he's been in the league for three years now, he is still very much a work in progress.

Big Men (6)- Al Horford, Amir Johnson, Tyler Zeller, Kelly Olynyk, Jonas Jerebko, Jordan Mickey

Note: Horford was of course Boston's big free agent splash this offseason. The 30-year-old former third overall selection spent his entire career with the Atlanta Hawks, before signing a multi-year deal with the C's this summer to be the team's front court compliment to Thomas. Showing throughout his career that he can score well both down low and in the mid range and a bit around the perimeter, the hope is that the big man can add another go-to scoring threat late in games. Johnson will join Horford in the starting lineup, after starting at center last season. In his first season with the C's last year, he averaged just over seven points and six rebounds per game. Olynyk was just given the green light to resume full contact activities, following offseason shoulder surgery. He won't be playing early on for the C's but should factor into a significant role once he returns to the lineup. He is capable of stretching the floor as a threat around the perimeter and presents the ability to get hot on any given night. Jerebko is another bench player that should see a good deal of time in a rotation. He is a high energy guy who can also stretch the floor and can also present a threat from behind the three-point arc, as he has worked to improve that part of his game. Zeller provides another old-school style big body underneath and play a classic post game. Mickey is still developing but has shown enough potential through a little over a year in his career to stick around.

Starting Lineup: