Role players are fickle. They often don’t sustain their production year to year and disappoint their teams as a result. But this also lends to new complementary pieces making their mark in the league. Let’s discuss three surprising role players who have popped this season.
Brandon Boston Jr.
The New Orleans Pelicans’ season has unfolded as nothing short of disaster. But their comical amount of injuries has opened the door for an unlikely NBA breakout. Brandon Boston Jr., drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2021, has found a stable rotation slot. He’s carving a niche in New Orleans, averaging 12.7 points and three assists on 61 percent true shooting (67th percentile).
Dating back to high school, Boston’s midrange creation talent was evident. He struggled earlier in his career with the speed and physicality of the NBA, but he seems to have grown into his frame nicely. The sample is still small, but Boston has converted on 47.4 percent (9-of-19) of his off-dribble jumpers this season. He’ll create with his handle and pull up with size.
brandon boston jr is averaging 12.7 points and 2.9 assists on 61% true shooting in his 25 minutes per night to begin the season. the off dribble jumpers are finally falling and he’s been solid off ball as well
one of the silver linings for this disaster pelicans start pic.twitter.com/ldr5cpdti1
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) November 10, 2024
Boston’s shots are falling from the outside, cashing 39.1 percent of his threes on relatively low volume (4.8 threes per 75 possessions). That outside spacing and honed-in decision-making has let Boston flex his scoring muscles. New Orleans’s roster may be decimated by injuries, but players like Boston are making the most of their chances.
Ty Jerome
Jerome has played an integral part in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ undefeated start, appearing out of nowhere to secure a rotation slot. After playing in just two regular season games last season because of injury, Jerome is playing 16 key minutes per night, averaging 10 points, 3.3 assists and 1.4 steals on a scorching 73.2 percent true shooting mark.
When Jerome plays, he constantly asserts himself in the action to make a positive impact. He’s comfortable running pick-and-rolls, as well as spacing off the ball, currently draining 57.9 percent of his 3.8 threes per game. Jerome’s surgical passing lets him fit smoothly with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
Jerome creates events and racks up deflections with his quick hands and reactions. He’ll always have athletic limitations, but his effort and team defensive strengths stand out on an elite Cleveland defense. Regardless of his box-score numbers, Jerome’s impact on the game is palpable. He’s a bonafide NBA-level rotation guard, adding critical ball-handling depth to the Cavs’ roster.
Neemias Queta
To begin their game against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, the Celtics started Queta alongside Al Horford. They purposely tasked him with switching onto Stephen Curry to stymie the Warriors’ drives. He’s added to Boston’s wealth of riches this season, defending the perimeter at a capable level within the team’s challenging scheme.
the celtics just allowing neemias queta to switch onto steph on an island and they get away with it of course pic.twitter.com/Z0oC66e2fF
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) November 7, 2024
He’s acclimating on offense. His quick processing and feel let him move the ball and sustain advantages. Cutting and moving intelligently, Queta finds soft spots in defenses to pass and make shots.
Queta could provide passable starter or backup minutes on many teams. For the Celtics, he’s normally buried deep on their depth chart. But his strong play in the absence of Kristaps Porzingis and others should keep him fresh on head coach Joe Mazzulla’s mind in matchups that he may suit.
