The Celtics have released 26-year old guard Oliver Lafayette. Lafayette played in 1 game for the Celtics last year in which he played 22 minutes scoring 7 points, grabbing 4 rebounds and dishing out 2 assists. Lafayette also played in 48 games (42 starts) for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants last year in which he averaged 35.4 minutes, 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game. The Celtics won’t miss Lafayette as they have a lot of depth at both guard slots for 2010-11.

The Celtics re-signed 35-year old shooting guard Ray Allen to a 2-year deal with the hope that he still has something left. He played well enough last season to warrant the risk that the Celtics are taking with him. Allen played in 80 games (all starts) for the Celtics last year and he averaged 35.2 minutes, 16.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Allen has now played in 1,022 games (1,019 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 37.1 minutes, 20.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game. As long as Ray Allen still has his nice soft jump shot he will be a asset for the Celtics.

29-year old Marquis Daniels is back to give Allen a rest once in a while. Daniels played in 51 games (4 starts) for the Celtics last year and he averaged 18.4 minutes, 5.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. He has now played in 402 games (113 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 22.9 minutes, 9.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Daniels probably could have gotten more money and minutes from another team but he came back to the Celtics to try to win a ring.

25-year old Von Wafer didn’t play in the NBA last season. He last played in the NBA in 2008-09 with the Houston Rockets. Wafer has now played in 109 games (11 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 13.3 minutes, 6.2 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. I think he will do a decent job for the Celtics whenever he’s on the court which likely won’t be much in 2010-11.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CELTICS SHOOTING GUARDS IN 2010-11: B

24-year old Rajon Rondo is the only pure point guard the Celtics have on their roster. He is the toughest point guard in the NBA as he excels at both ends of the basketball court. Rondo played in 81 games (all starts) for the Celtics last season and he averaged 36.6 minutes, 13.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game. Rondo shot 50.8% from the floor but he can’t shoot from anywhere else as he only connected on 21.3% of his shots from 3-point range and 62.1% from the free throw line. If he ever improves his shooting from either of those ranges (FT or 3-PT) he could easily average 20 points a night without being a ballhog. Rondo has now played in 316 games (263 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 30.8 minutes, 10.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game.

26-year old Nate Robinson was re-signed to backup Rondo this year. Robinson played in 26 games (0 starts) for the Celtics last year and he averaged 14.7 minutes, 6.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. He also shot 41.4% from three point range for the Celtics which is pretty solid. Robinson has now played in 338 games (61 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 24.0 minutes, 12.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Robinson comes into the game looking to shoot the ball so he is quite a bit different style wise than Rondo.

19-year old rookie Avery Bradley isn’t likely to get off the bench much this season. He was the Celtics first round pick out of Texas last June. Bradley played in 34 games for the Longhorns last season and he averaged 29.3 minutes, 11.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

27-year old Delonte West will miss the first 10 games of the 2010-11 season due to a suspension for off the court conduct. West played in 60 games (3 starts) for the Cavaliers last season and he averaged 25.0 minutes, 8.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. He has now played in 364 games (223 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 28.4 minutes, 10.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game. West can handle either guard spot and he will be bringing a ton of energy off the bench for the Celtics in 2010-11.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CELTICS POINT GUARDS IN 2010: A

The Celtics have signed 27-year old guard Delonte West to a 1-year, non-guaranteed deal. West played in 60 games (3 starts) for the Cavaliers last season and he averaged 25.0 minutes, 8.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. He has now played in 364 games (223 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 28.4 minutes, 10.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game. West has been suspended for the first 10 games of the 2010-11 NBA season due to his off-court behavior but I still really like this signing for the Celtics as he is a good basketball player.