Boston Celtics

Which of these five Celtics won't make the final cut?

Published Aug. 21, 2015 11:07 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Boston Celtics have 16 guaranteed contracts currently on their books, meaning at least one player has to go before opening day. Who's it going to be?

WEEI's Ben Rohrbach takes a look at five candidates—Perry Jones III, Tyler Zeller, Jared Sullinger, Evan Turner and James Young—even though just about anyone on the team could be traded between now and the end of training camp.

Here's a look at the case for moving on from Sullinger, the most curious name on Rohrbach's list:

"No matter how many shirtless photos and workout videos Sullinger posts to his social media channels, why should the Celtics be convinced this season will be any different than the last, when he seemingly gained weight during the course of the year and wasn’t conditioned for starter’s minutes? For all those reasons, Sullinger probably won’t sign an extension before the opener and therefore would become a restricted free agent in July 2016. With the salary cap expected to jump $20 million next summer, he’s a prime candidate to be overpaid. So, now’s the time to choose between investing in a 23-year-old with a history of back and foot problems or cashing in his value, however underwhelming it may be."

Somebody has to go, but it's unlikely Sullinger is it. Jones, who Boston acquired in a salary dump deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, feels like the leader in the clubhouse to get waived, but it's also likely they try and move Turner in a trade.

There's no room for Turner's skill set now that Marcus Smart is the starting point guard and Isaiah Thomas has entrenched himself as the lead ball-handler whenever on the floor.

But it's ultimately anyone's guess who goes. This isn't an easy decision for Boston to make.

(h/t: WEEI)