Terry Rozier not complaining despite smaller role on Celtics

Kyrie Irving's season-ending injury last year opened the door for Terry Rozier, who became a Boston hero after pushing the Celtics to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Rozier has quickly been given a reduced role with Irving back to 100 percent, going from the Celtics' minutes leader in 19 postseason games, to eighth in playing time through the first 10 games of the new season.

Several teams are reportedly pursuing the 24-year-old point guard who has been tied to rumors suggesting he's upset with his current situation. While he admits his new role has been a difficult adjustment, Rozier dismissed the idea that he's been complaining.

"I go from starting in the playoffs to coming off the bench. ... I'm pretty sure it's not easy for nobody," Rozier said, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps. "But I'm not complaining. And, if you know me, I would never be the one to complain about it.

"I would never go to the media or bring out the unhappy thing. Like I said, people that know me know I wouldn't do that. I've never been a selfish type of person, selfish player. You can tell the way I play I'm all about team."

The Phoenix Suns are atop the list of teams reportedly pushing for "Scary" Terry as they look to upgrade at point guard. Fringe rotation player Isaiah Canaan is currently handling the starting role for the Suns.

However, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge is telling teams to pump the brakes, saying he's yet to hear any complaints from Rozier.

"I talk to Terry quite a bit and I haven't heard any of those types of things, so I don't know how reliable the sources/rumors are," Ainge said, according to 98.5 The Sports Hub's Adam Kaufman. "If he were feeling that way, I think he'd share it with me."

Rozier is averaging 7.5 points, 4.4 boards, and 2.1 assists in 22.7 minutes per game, far less than his 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in 36.6 minutes during Boston's 2018 playoff run.