The local beat spent the week on a center rotation debate, the first live look at Jaylen Brown in a 76ers uniform, and cap speculation tied to New York. None of it moves a record that still reads 0-0.
Both centers are talking like the rotation question is still open.
MassLive's Souichi Terada reported that Neemias Queta made what he called a bold claim about the center rotation, and that Mitchell Robinson described a new play he has picked up in camp. Last season Queta played 25.3 minutes a night across 76 games and pulled 8.4 rebounds; Robinson managed 19.6 minutes and 8.8 rebounds across 60 games. Robinson's $15.0 million salary ranks fourth highest among Boston's contracts, which argues for more than a reserve role. Terada's report settles nothing about who starts; it only confirms both centers are talking like it matters.
Brown's first box score in Philadelphia arrived before Boston's own debut for George.
Terada also reported that Jaylen Brown erupted in his first preseason game for Philadelphia. Boston sent Brown to the 76ers for Paul George and four draft picks this summer, a trade that remains unproven on both ends: George has yet to play a game in green, and Brown produced his first box score in orange and blue before Charleston camp even wrapped. One result does not grade a trade, but it is the first evidence either side has to point to.
A Knicks cap dispute might help Boston, but the math still starts at the tax line.
Brian Robb of MassLive reported that a Knicks contract dispute could work out well for Boston, without specifying how. What's verifiable: the Celtics carry $203.9 million against a $200.4 million luxury tax line and a $209.0 million first apron, leaving room before the harsher apron restrictions but none before the tax itself. Any benefit from New York's situation would have to clear that gap without adding salary back.
Camp closed in Charleston without naming a two-way candidate.
CelticsBlog's Bill Sy argued the roster is built to counter a league point of emphasis, and Celtics.com closed its camp coverage with three storylines from the final day in Charleston. Neither addressed the one job still open: the two-way roster spot flagged since September 12 has gone unfilled through four roster moves and five rumor roundups, and camp ending in Charleston did not change that.
Is Jaylen Brown playing well for the 76ers so far?
MassLive reported Brown erupted in his first Sixers preseason game, an early data point for the player Boston sent out in the Paul George trade.
Has Boston's two-way roster spot been filled?
No. It has been open since September 12, and camp closing in Charleston did not produce a named candidate.
More from The Parquet Report
all Celtics news →
Player focus · Wed, Oct 7Sam Hauser's Best Lineups Ran Through a Player No Longer Here
Morning · Wed, Oct 7Tatum's New Perspective Arrives Before Any Game Does
Around the beat · Thu, Oct 1Camp Notebooks: White's Shot, Tatum's Role, a Crowded Frontcourt
Around the beat · Mon, Sep 28What the Local Coverage Argues About Before a Game Is Played
Around the beat · Thu, Sep 24Beat Notes: Two New Names, Stevens on Brown, Queta's Ceiling
Around the beat · Mon, Sep 21What the Beat Is Debating as Camp Opens