Boston Celtics forward will be out the remainder of the season with a stress fracture in his left foot. The 22-year old has been averaging 14 points and eight rebounds per game for the green, and had recently started performing at a much better rate.
Sullinger has been battling injuries even before he was drafted into the NBA. He was passed over by many teams due to a slipped disk in his back, but Celtics GM Danny Ainge believed the young Sullinger was worth the risk and drafted him back in 2012. While there have been steady improvements year-by-year, Sullinger struggles with consistency which has frustrated the Celtics and their fans immensely.
Sully is under contract until the end of the 2016 season with his rookie contract, which is when the Celtics can decide if they want to hold on to the big man or look at other, possibly more athletic options which could fit in better with a young Celtics team looking to run.
With other big man Kelly Olynyk still sidelined with a severe ankle injury, newly acquired Jonas Jerebko and Luigi Datome could have the opportunity to surprise head coach Brad Stevens. The Celtics will also have to make up for their lack of scoring with Sullinger out, which is a perfect opportunity for new guard Isaiah Thomas to step in and do what he's best at which is score. Also, the green would love to see rookie James Young receive more minutes and develop more as the season wraps up.
While Sullinger's injury isn't ideal for a young Celtics team making a playoff push, it gives other guys the opportunity to step up and show their skills.