Boston Celtics: Team Lineup and Depth Chart After 2011 NBA Free Agency

The NBA lockout has caused problems for this Boston Celtics team. The current Boston Celtics team roster has just six players signed to contract: Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, Jermaine O'Neal and Avery Bradley (not counting unsigned rookies JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore).

With the NBA lockout still holding strong, there has already been a significant delay on the 2011 NBA free agency period, as it's a time frame head coach Doc Rivers and the Boston Celtics are looking forward to.

The most recent news on the lockout from ESPN says the NBA training camp and preseason games are now canceled.

If there is to be a 2011-2012 NBA season, will the Celtics be moving one of the Big Three elsewhere? Is the organization looking ahead to the 2012 NBA free agency period with Dwight Howard available? Will Rivers be inclined to give Jeff Green more time at the small forward position?

All and more are answered as this will be the Celtics' projected depth chart for the 2011-2012 NBA season.

Note: This does not include reserve players, as the Celtics will have more than 12 players going into the 2011 season should there be an NBA season.

Bench: Avery Bradley, G

A sharpshooter and defensive specialist with the Texas Longhorns just two years ago, Boston Celtics shooting guard Avery Bradley has plenty of potential and will make his way from the reserves to the bench. He may also well be one of the more underrated players in the league.

In his rookie season last year, Bradley played just 5.2 minutes per game, tending to play in the final minutes of pointless games and random minutes in the second quarters of contests. These are numbers that most fans of the game know about him, or why so many really don't know who Bradley is.

Playing for the Longhorns, Bradley proved himself to be a quick, athletic guard with an ability to score the basketball in a variety of ways. His jump shot was especially effective, as according to draftexpress.com, 75.7 percent of his half-court shots were jumpers, and he led all players with a 43.1 percent shooting percentage taking those shots.

In the D-League last season his success only continued, scoring 17.1 points and dishing out 5.2 assists a game with the team in 32.2 minutes a contest.

Bradley may well surprise people once he is given the opportunity to shine as a player in the league.

Bench: Glen Davis, F

Yes. When the 2011 NBA free agency is all said and done, free-agent forward Glen Davis will re-sign with the Boston Celtics.

Many are hesitant to bring back Glen Davis, including myself at times. Yet despite his poor playoff performance and constant complaints, Davis is a player the Celtics will end up re-signing.

For the amount of money the Celtics would spend on a player like Davis, he ultimately is more valuable than going out and picking up another power forward. As much as a guy like Nene Hilario with the Denver Nuggets might be able to contribute to the C's, he would also cost around two to three times more money than would Davis.

He is a solid rebounder that has a solid offensive game and makes opposing offensive talents work in the post. As a result Davis will likely remain with the team for next season and re-sign with the team.

Bench: E'Twaun Moore, G

Not only will E'Twaun Moore be an effective player for the Boston Celtics at the end of this never-ending NBA lockout, he may well be the piece to the puzzle the Celtics have been looking for.

A player like Moore has the potential to make noise off the bench, as he is a big-time scoring threat from three-point range and taking the ball to the rim. His strength and athleticism make him a solid back-up to Ray Allen, and allow the Celtics to have two reliable shooting guards going into the season.

Moore will be given plenty of opportunity to get key minutes, and could prove to be a contributor as the season goes on.

Bench: JaJuan Johnson, F

With Celtics star Kevin Garnett getting older, a player like JaJuan Johnson could be the difference-maker for the team off the bench.

In a trade with the New Jersey Nets on draft day, the Boston Celtics would pick up the rights to Johnson, power forward out of Purdue.

Johnson is a big-time forward that brings a lot to the table for the C's. In his final season with the Boilermakers, Johnson posted 20.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.

His size and offensive post game are polished to the point that he may make immediate impact for the team when he hits the court. Johnson not only has the ability to produce, but will also be a key component as he will allow Garnett to get his rest and help add depth to the second unit.

Bench: Jeff Green, F

Jeff Green will be all smiles come next season, as the Boston Celtics will undoubtedly re-sign the restricted free agent when the 2011 free-agency period begins.

Green is an essential piece to the puzzle for this Celtics team, as he is a small forward that was brought in to back up Paul Pierce and help build the future team when the Big Three in Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett end their careers.

When he is on the court, Green is a lot like what Tony Allen was for the Celtics on the 2008 championship team. He brings a defensive presence against big-time scorers and has evident talent when it comes to scoring the basketball.

Certainly he has a lot to learn when it comes to the offensive end, yet with more playing time and an increased role with the team, expect Green to develop as a basketball player and prove to be a strong talent for years to come.

Bench: Delonte West, G

After his showing in the 2011 NBA playoffs in the absence of Rondo, expect Delonte West to be re-signed for another season with the Boston Celtics.

The unrestricted free agent is a veteran point guard that helps to complete the Celtics back court. Boasting Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, E'Twaun Moore and Delonte West in the back court is surely a recipe for success for this Celtics team.

Against LeBron James and the Miami Heat in the NBA playoffs, West put in 10.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists per game and shot 52 percent from the field in just 23.2 minutes per game.

Make no mistake—head coach Doc Rivers and the organization understand that West is a veteran that puts together quality minutes when he's on the floor. Expect West to be re-signed when the free agent market opens up in the NBA.

Bench: A 2011 NBA Free Agent

Could it be free agent Spencer Hawes out of Philadelphia that the Celtics look at, or could they possibly spend money on a guy like Marc Gasol in Memphis?

With just six men on the roster and half the team still left to re-sign, the Boston Celtics are likely to explore the 2011 NBA free-agent market this offseason.

Granted the Celtics will have little to no cap space to work with, it is likely the team will explore their options in the free agent market yet focus on the less expensive big men available.

Spencer Hawes is an unrestricted free agent that will likely cost the team no more than $4 million per year and is certainly an option to consider. There are also potential options in signing players like DeAndre Jordan from the L.A. Clippers or even Marc Gasol in Memphis. Gasol would be the more expensive of options, but if the Celtics can make room in the cap with their other signings this could be a strong possibility.

Starting PG: Rajon Rondo

Certainly there is no question that Rajon Rondo will be the Boston Celtics starting point guard for the 2011-12 season and many seasons to come.

Rondo is a point guard that continues to elevate his game, recording career-high numbers last season in assists per game, dishing out 11.2 a contest.

This season will be one with all eyes on Rondo, as he will be expected to increase his scoring production from last season. His 47 percent shooting from the field was his lowest percentage since becoming a starting point guard for the team in 2007.

As other elite point guards like league MVP Derrick Rose with the Chicago Bulls and others including Westbrook and Paul, Rondo will be expected to improve his production in this regard. Not to mention the Big Three will be another year older, and will need all the help they can get from Rondo and the second unit as well.

Starting SG: Ray Allen

When people think of the Boston Celtics, it's an unfortunate reality that the first two names people tend to think of are Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Ray Allen is not only going to be the team's starting shooting guard for the next couple of seasons, but is also arguably as essential to the team.

When Ray Allen can get going from the field, the Celtics are nearly impossible to beat. Allen put up career-high numbers last season with the team, shooting 49.1 percent from the field, 44.4 percent from three-point range, and a career-low 1.5 turnovers a contest.

What makes the three-point numbers all the more impressive? He shot 4.7 three-pointers a game, as the percentage is certainly no fluke. Allen has been as consistent and reliable a scorer for the team and will be a big part of any chances of winning a championship in the next couple of seasons.

Now the record holder for most three-pointers made in NBA history, Allen has a big chip off his shoulders, as he should continue to post solid numbers for the team this season.

Starting PF: Kevin Garnett

Despite the talks of Kevin Garnett leaving the Boston Celtics or being involved in any sort of trades in the coming months, Garnett will be a member of the team for the next couple of seasons at the very least.

If Danny Ainge was to give up a player like Garnett, it would significantly decrease the chances at an NBA championship run for the Celtics for the next several seasons. After the trading of Kendrick Perkins in February of last season, Garnett stands as the one, main defensive presence the team has.

The 2008 Defensive Player of the Year is the staple of this Celtics team on the defensive end, while also bringing a scoring ability to the table in the post. Expect Garnett to be a starter for this season and next season for the Boston Celtics.

No question about it.

Starting C: Jermaine O'Neal*

Notice that there is an asterisk by Jermaine O'Neal's name, as he will be the starter for the team in 2011 yet will not receive starters minutes. Expect O'Neal to play anywhere from 20-23 minutes per game for the team in the coming season.

O'Neal may be losing his touch on the offensive end, yet he is still key when it comes to defense. He is a top-notch shot-blocker that plays tough interior defense. Last season O'Neal averaged 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in just 18 minutes per game.

Considering he played less than half a game per outing, to put up these kind of numbers could be argued as high quality production in the short amount of playing time.

Unless the Celtics find room in the cap and pick up a starting center in the free agent market, there is no question Jermaine O'Neal will be the starting center for the team.

Starting SF: Paul Pierce

There is talk about small forward Jeff Green taking over as the Boston Celtics starting small forward. To those who think Green will assume a starting job as early as next season, think again.

So long as team captain Paul Pierce is wearing green and white, there is no doubt that he will be the starting small forward for the team. Pierce is arguably the best player the team has, as his athletic defense and trademark offensive game have helped build winning teams in Boston for as long as he has been a Celtic.

However, it is absolutely accurate to say that Green will eventually assume a starting role. He is young, talented, and is more than worthy of a starting job in the league. With the Oklahoma City Thunder he proved he can produce as a starter, and with the retirement of Paul Pierce in the near future he will undoubtedly become a starter with the team.

Make no mistake about it, Green is a promising player, yet Pierce gets the assured nod this season as the team's starting small forward.

Follow Featured Columnist Luis Batlle on Twitter: @lbatll1