Brad Stevens want to keep Jarell Eddie on roster as his contract ends, Terry Rozier battling sprained ankle

DENVER -- Monday night marks the end of Jarell Eddie's 10-day contract with the Celtics. The 26-year-old has only played in one game since signing with the Celtics earlier this month, but Brad Stevens is hopeful that the 6-foot-7 wing will be kept around a while longer.

"He's been awesome," Stevens said Monday morning. "He knows what we're trying to accomplish. I haven't talked to Danny about if we're going to extend it or not, but I'd be all for it."

The odds of Eddie remaining on the roster got a boost last week once Marcus Smart was sidelined with a hand injury. Without Smart for the next two weeks, the Celtics will obviously be thin on the wing as the reserve guard rehabs in Boston. 

"Marcus is doing light work on the bike and obviously nothing with the hand," Stevens said. "He’s got another appointment on Wednesday to follow up where they will either—from what I’ve been told—tell him what the next steps are as far as how much he can work out, how much he can do. Because he had a pretty significant cut."

Terry Rozier is also battling a sore ankle after spraining it during Saturday's loss to the Warriors, making the potential need for Eddie's depth even greater.

"Terry is not gonna go through shootaround," Stevens explained. "He’s 50/50 for tonight, but we’re not gonna have him go through anything this morning. He’s sore. The swelling’s not too bad, but he sprained his ankle last game. And so we don’t know yet for tonight."

With Rozier and Smart both battling injuries and Guerschon Yabusele rehabbing a sprained ankle back in Boston, the Celtics called up reinforcements on the wing in the form of KaDeem Allen. The second-round pick has had some standout performances with the Maine Red Claws over the past couple weeks, including a 48-point effort. Both him and Eddie could be called upon for bench minutes tonight if Rozier can't go against a guard-heavy Nuggets lineup.

The other variable involved with Eddie's potential next contract is the trade deadline that's looming on Feb. 8. The Celtics want to keep his roster spot open for flexibility, but they could also just waive him ahead of any completion deal, if they need to take an extra player on as part of the deal.

With a busy week upcoming (six games over next 11 days), the guess here is Eddie gets brought back for a second go-around. He should be able to make a case for himself tonight if he gets a chance at some minutes against the Nuggets.