NEW YORKThe Boston Celtics have filled the only gaping hole in their roster -- a backup point guard -- by adding veteran guard Leandro Barbosa.
Barbosa's one-year, veteran minimum deal gives the Celtics 14 players with guaranteed contracts, one short of the NBA maximum.
Prior to Boston's 97-96 loss to Brooklyn on Tuesday, C's coach Doc Rivers said that the Celtics planned on carrying the league-maximum of 15 players.
That likely means that the Celtics will keep second-round pick Kris Joseph for the entire season.
Adding Barbosa is a major coup for the Celtics, who were noticeably short-handed at the backup point guard position when Keyon Dooling announced his retirement prior to training camp.
Barbosa, a 6-foot-4 combo guard, gives Boston a player with Rajon Rondo-like speed who can run a team in addition to keeping opponents honest defensively with his long-range shooting.
Adding him means Jason Terry can spend most of his time off the ball, which is where he is at his best. Ditto for Courtney Lee.
Boston Celtics
However, the C's may have a bit of a perimeter logjam when Avery Bradley returns in the middle of December.
With Rajon Rondo starting, the rest of the C's guard lineup includes Terry, Lee, Barbosa and Bradley.
The idea that the Celtics would play five guards is unlikely, which means the C's are going to have a talented player sitting most nights barring injuries.
But if you're Doc Rivers, that's the kind of problem you would love to have heading into the regular season which is less two weeks away.