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[Boston Celtics]

Torrey Craig tells his favorite Joe Mazzulla story: A standoff with Baylor Scheierman

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Torrey Craig recalled Joe Mazzulla and Baylor Scheierman waiting for nearly one hour to let the other pass through a doorway.

When Baylor Scheierman joined The Garden Report earlier this month, he smiled and shared one of his earliest interactions with Joe Mazzulla when asked for his his best Joe story. He and Mazzulla met as training camp concluded, and Mazzulla told Scheierman he doesn’t like rookies. So he faced an uphill battle to accumulating playing time.

Scheierman didn’t share the best one.

Impending Celtics free agent Torrey Craig joined me and Noa Dalzell this week ahead of his free agency and revealed another Scheierman-Mazzulla interaction from 2024-25. After Craig joined the team in February, he heard that Mazzulla and Scheierman met at a doorway in the arena before a game. Both of them offered to let the other pass first, and a standoff ensued.

“I guess Joe and Baylor was like, ‘no, you go first. Oh no, you go first. No, you go first. No, you got it,’” Craig said.

“And I just remember coming from working out and Baylor was standing in a towel in the hallway with his back against the wall and Joe was laying down on the table right there, and they were both on opposite sides of the door ... I was just wondering, ‘oh, OK,’ and then I came back 20 minutes later, they’re still there, and then you come back 20 minutes later, and they’re still there. They both waited for at least an hour before I think we had a meeting or something and that was the only thing that stopped them from staying there.”

Craig believed Mazzulla wanted to test Scheierman’s mental strength with the interaction, from which Craig declared Mazzulla the winner. While Mazzulla’s tendencies surprised some Celtics when they encountered them for the first time, Craig observed them from afar while playing for the Bulls earlier in the season. Craig even cited Mazzulla’s coaching style as part of the reason he joined the Celtics after Chicago bought him out.

Mazzulla regularly praised Craig for contributions as small as one minute in games and for how he conducted himself through inconsistent playing time. Craig only logged 11.8 minutes per game over 17 appearances through Boston’s final 28 games. Then, he did not crack the playoff rotation.

Craig shared some regret on the podcast over not playing more assertively in his opportunities, something he normally doesn’t carry following a season. He appreciated the bond he and his son Braylon formed with Mazzulla and teammates, nonetheless. That included an opportunity for Braylon to address the team before an April game.

“Joe, he’s a great guy. He’s a great father, great family man,” Craig said. “Like how he was with my son, letting him talk in the locker room before the game and trying to get the guys going a little bit, that’s very rare in this league to have coaches like that and I think that’s part of what makes him special.”

Craig becomes a free agent next month alongside Al Horford, who also returned to Boston’s facility alongside Payton Pritchard and younger players ramping up for Summer League. Craig wanted to spend time with Braylon and get back to work, since he doesn’t like longer layoffs. In July, he’ll host his fourth annual Torrey Craig day giving back to Great Falls, South Carolina, where he attended college.

Craig expressed interest in returning to the Celtics, but said he’ll take a business approach and see what makes most sense for himself. Boston currently has three open standard roster spots and two three-way deals. If Craig departs this summer, he’ll do so having never taken Mazzulla up on his offer to attend a jiu-jitsu class.

“I just think it was who had the mental to wait the longest to see,” Craig said of Scheierman and Mazzulla’s exchange. “I think with Joe, he’s a natural competitor. He played in college. He does all this fighting and training. He also tried to get me to come to a session with him and his trainer, but I quickly (declined) that, but yeah, I think everything is mental for Joe.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/6/...tandoff-with-baylor-scheierman-boston-celtics

 

[Boston Celtics]

Catch Game 7 Pacers vs. Thunder live on Playback

Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

One game for all the marbles.

We shouldn’t be surprised that we have a Game 7.

The Pacers have given us too many reasons not to believe in them at this point. But I still can’t believe it. Two very different realities await us; either the Indiana Pacers will shock the world one more time, or the Oklahoma City Thunder cap off their dominant season the way most people thought they would, while avoiding one of the biggest upsets in professional sports history. Catch the Game 7 action live in the CelticsBlog Playback room.

Download the Playback app today and be part of the conversation as the action unfolds.

And while you’re here, enjoy some highlights from Game 6 in the CelticsBlog Playback room.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/6/...y-thunder-live-playback-tyrese-haliburton-sga

 

[Boston Celtics]

CelticsBlog exit interview: Baylor Schowmanship and the path to playing time

Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images

By the end of the regular season, Scheierman had

On the surface, to evaluate Baylor Scheierman’s rookie season is to get hyped over an And-1 mixtape. The kid certainly had 2024-2025 highlights with an unabashed showmanship for the game.

“I watched Rondo a lot. Rondo, Pistol Pete, Jason Williams. I’ll add a little bit of flare to it,” Scheierman told CLNS’ Garden Report. Behold that flare from CelticsBlog’s Nate Moskowitz:

Baylor Scheierman rookie highlights pic.twitter.com/cLhVQ6MLxS

— Pull up shoot  (@NElGHT_) May 25, 2025​

That abandon from a rookie might suggest that the game is slowing down for him and he’s getting acclimated to the strength and speed of the pro game. However, a sweet behind-the-back pass or lefty three isn't going to just immediately engender him to his head coach, Joe Mazzulla.

What’s important to recognize is that Scheierman was a producer all year. In fourteen games up in Maine last season, Scheierman exhibited the same potential (20.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists on 40.8% shooting from behind the arc) that he displayed in his final season at Creighton (18.5 points, 9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 38.1 3FG%).

The numbers translated in the G League and they popped off the box score in late regular season wins against Philadelphia (15 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Brooklyn (20 points on 6-of-7 shooting from 3). It’s that all-around game that could make him a regular contributor next season.

Sure, there are concerns that he’s a defensive liability that lacks the athleticism for the next level and his game won’t scale up given an opportunity. But what we’ve learned from the Finals is that if you’re a gamer, you can find yourself on the floor for a championship team.

“A lot of people say Joe Ingles. I like that comp,” Scheierman told our Bobby Manning and Noa Dalzell of his player comparison. “I like watching Austin Reaves play. Max Strus. All those guys.”

Boston’s roster has been built around players like that, players that can do a little bit of everything. Scheierman is of that mold. At 6’6, he can shoot, attack close outs, and make plays off the dribble as a ballhandler. He noted that passing is probably his “best quality.” Out of the Celtics’ stock of young wings that also includes Jordan Walsh and Drew Peterson, he might be the best prepared to enter the rotation with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum on the shelf and Sam Hauser a possible cap cut.

“I’d like to gain a few more pounds and try to keep that on. Other than that, keep my body in good shape,” Scheierman said of his offseason plans. “On the court, I worked a ton with Craig [Luschenat] this year...on changing speeds and different finishes around the rim. I am a shooter, but I can do a lot of other different things...continuing to get better shooting off the move and distance as well.”

With the team seemingly looking to draft either a guard or big in Wednesday’s draft, that direction might signal their confidence in what they’ve got in wing depth, particularly with Scheierman. If the rookie’s late season surge was any indication, the showman is ready for the spotlight.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/6/...erman-and-path-to-playing-time-boston-celtics

 

[Boston Celtics]

Brad Stevens provides Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown injury updates in draft night presser

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

Both Celtics stars have been working out at the practice facility — but are on very different timelines as they recover from their surgeries.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are both regularly at the Auerbach Center rehabbing after both undergoing surgery this Spring, Brad Stevens said in a draft night press conference late Wednesday.

Tatum, who ruptured his Achilles tendon on May 12th, is expected to miss most, if not all, of next season.

Brown, meanwhile, underwent a minor knee surgery on June 11th and is expected to be available for training camp.

Here’s what Brad Stevens had to say about both stars’ injury status, in full.

Jayson Tatum has “progressed great”, but there’s no timeline for return​

Six weeks after Jayson Tatum underwent surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles, there’s no return-to-play timeline.

It sounds like that will be the case for a long while, too.

“We don’t and we won’t [have a timeline],” Stevens said. “We won’t put a projected timeline on him for a long, long time, and as we look at it, there’s no reason to. It’s baby steps right now.”

No timeline doesn’t mean things haven’t been going well for the six-time All-Star, who has been rehabbing at the Auerbach Center on a daily basis.

Jayson Tatum in good spirits as he gets a visit from Torrey Craig pic.twitter.com/Co5AGHVuON

— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) June 9, 2025​

“He’s actually progressed great,” Stevens said. “But I don’t know what that means with regard to projected timelines, and that’ll be in consultation with him and [Celtics trainers] Nick [Sang] and Phil Coles and everybody else to make sure that when he hits the court, he is fully ready and fully healthy. That will be the priority.”

Jaylen Brown is already doing light on-court work ​

Brown is in a much different position than Tatum, having undergone a far less serious operation for a partially torn meniscus. But, like Tatum, Brown has regularly been at the Auerbach Center rehabbing with his Celtics trainer, Drew Moore.

Brown was walking with the assistance of a crutch at a community event last Thursday, and Stevens said late Wednesday night that he’s returned to the court.

Jaylen Brown is here (using one crutch) at the Boys and Girls Club in Dorchester to meet students and give away @741Performance shoes

Kids going crazy seeing him pic.twitter.com/lpPn1JDLXb

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) June 19, 2025​

“He’s doing great,” Stevens said. “His rehab looks good. He was actually on the court the other day doing some ball handling and doing some light work around the rim. Nothing big movement-wise yet.”

Stevens said he expects Brown to be ready “well ahead” of training camp.

Tatum and Brown both spending so much time at the Auerbach Center in the offseason is not the norm, Stevens said.

“It’s usually the time of the year when I don’t see those guys a lot,” he said. “They usually go and kind of rest, and get away, but they’ve both prioritized getting better and rehabbing, and after a long season, I appreciate that about them.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/6/...meline-jaylen-brown-knee-surgery-brad-stevens

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics’ second round prospects at #32

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

There are plenty of exciting candidates available for Boston on Day 2 of the NBA Draft.

With the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft in the books, Boston has made their first of two selections. Brad Stevens and the front office surprised many by taking 19-year-old Spanish prospect Hugo González from Real Madrid (SF, 6’6, 223 pounds).

Tonight, Boston find themselves drafting in the enviable second slot on Day 2 with the 32nd pick of the draft. The Minnesota Timberwolves will pick ahead of them and then the C’s will be on the clock.

Boston is faced with an intriguing mix of size, skill and NBA-ready talent still available at the start of the second round. Here is a quick look at some of the talented candidates still on the draft big board for Boston at pick #32:

Bigs​

Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton • Sr • 7’1” | 257 pounds

Rasheer Fleming, PF, Saint Joseph’s • Jr • 6’8” | 232 pounds

Maxime Raynaud, C, Stanford • Sr • 7’0” | 237 pounds

Johni Broome, C, Auburn • Sr • 6’9” | 249 pounds

Bogoljub Markovic, PF, KK Mega Basket (Serbia) • 6’11” | 190 pounds

Rasheer Fleming, Vertical leap drill, 2025 NBA Draft Combine

WINGS​

Noah Penda, SF, Le Mans Sarthe Basket (France) • 6’8” | 225 pounds

Adou Thiero, SF, Arkansas • Jr • 6’6” | 218 pounds

Alex Toohey, SF, Sydney Kings (Australia) • 6’8” | 223 pounds

Koby Brea, SF, Kentucky • Sr • 6’6” | 202 pounds

Alex Toohey, Full court scrimmage, 2025 NBA Draft Combine

GUARDS​

Kam Jones, PG, Marquette • Sr • 6’3” | 202 pounds

Chaz Lanier, SG, Tennessee • Sr • 6’4” | 206 pounds

Ryan Nembhard, PG, Gonzaga • Sr • 5’11” | 176 pounds

Tyrese Proctor, SG, Duke • Jr • 6’4” | 183 pounds

Photo by Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images
Kam Jones, Lane agility drill, 2025 NBA Draft Combine

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Boston’s newest additions will be eligible to play in the 2025 Las Vegas Summer League, which starts on Thursday, July the 10th. Stay tuned to CelticsBlog for all the coverage this summer.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/celtics...er-rasheer-fleming-maxime-renaud-johni-broome

 

[Boston Celtics]

How Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams fit with Boston — and each other

Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images

Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams’ complementary skill sets perfectly fit Boston’s future and could form a dynamic duo off the bench.

In an offseason where the Celtics are retooling their roster for the future, Brad Stevens used the NBA Draft to reinforce a clear organizational pivot: prioritize movement, versatility, and defensive depth.

When the Celtics lost to the Knicks in the second round of the playoffs this past season, their lack of ball movement and pace was apparent. Countless times, the Celtics had stagnant offensive possessions where the ball never entered the paint and even missed transition opportunities by bringing the ball up the floor far too deliberately.

Watching the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers — two fast-paced, movement-heavy teams — battle it out in the NBA Finals only amplified the need for Boston to alter its approach. The league’s elite teams are younger, faster, and deeper. Brad knows that if the Celtics want to continue contending for championships until Tatum and Brown retire, they need to evolve not just their roster, but their philosophy:

Brad Stevens says he could feel it during the postseason when the Celtics' offense got stagnant. He pointed to the two Finals teams as groups that played with elite ball and player movement, and said the Celtics will strive to get back to that next season.

— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) June 26, 2025​

This stylistic evolution is exactly why the Celtics drafted Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams. Let’s break it down.

Hugo Gonzalez​

Gonzalez thrived off the ball. Coming from a Real Madrid team stacked with veterans and former NBA talent, he rarely had the ball in his hands — but when he did, he made it count. He was constantly making backdoor cuts, filling open space, tipping in rebounds, and hammering down putback dunks.

He plays with instinct and rarely misses an opportunity to make a smart read or hustle play. Gonzalez is an incredibly savvy player and brings a flair of the European game that emphasizes pace, flow, and reads over isolation.

One thing I really like about Gonzalez's game, is his willingness to cut off ball, especially from the slot and wing.

Seems to have a solid feel and timing on those cuts, and looks comfortable scoring in traffic. pic.twitter.com/AYE0XuZJuY

— Adam Taylor (@AdamTaylorNBA) June 26, 2025​

The fit here is obvious. Gonzalez will be surrounded by Boston’s stars who dominate the ball, allowing him to do what he does best — create without it. His off-ball movement will inject some much-needed variety into the Celtics’ offense, lifting them out of their stagnant lulls.

In addition to his offensive upside, Gonzalez has an equally high motor on the defensive end. When watching Gonzalez's tape, I was shocked at how consistently he picked up ball handlers 94 feet from the basket. He will help repair some of the defense the Celtics lost in the offseason while also complementing a fast-paced, defensively focused style of basketball.

Amari Williams​

Next is Williams, who fits the Celtics’ system — and Gonzalez — just as naturally.

Williams was widely regarded as the best passing big in this draft class. With a 7’0”, 260-pound frame, he has the size to command the paint and the basketball IQ to dissect a defense like a quarterback. At Kentucky, he often anchored possessions from the post or the high elbow, finding cutters with clever bounce passes and spraying passes to open shooters.

Even better, he won’t slow Boston down. In today’s NBA, many traditional bigs get played off the floor in fast-paced matchups, like Isaiah Hartenstein in the NBA Finals. But Williams can keep up in the open floor. If he’s not finishing in transition, he’s usually the one who initiated it. One of my favorite plays of Williams college career was this full-court dime:

Oh, some Kevin Love inspiration, I see... pic.twitter.com/YcNzhQPt71

— Adam Taylor (@AdamTaylorNBA) June 27, 2025​

Defensively, he has real potential as a paint anchor. With a 7’6” wingspan and strong vertical instincts, Williams has the tools to anchor the paint in his minutes off the bench. His shot-blocking instincts should generate plenty of fast-break opportunities for Boston’s guards.

Rookie Synergy​

Together, Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams could be a dynamic pairing off the bench for Boston. With Williams operating surgically from the high post and Gonzalez cutting from every angle, there’s real chemistry potential between these two rookies.

Defensively, their skills mesh perfectly. Gonzalez’s ability to pressure ball handlers full court pairs well with Williams’ rim protection, giving the Celtics more options to disrupt offenses and generate transition chances.

As they develop, this duo could become essential to Boston’s next installment in the Tatum and Brown era.

Although there is plenty to be uncertain about with Boston, one thing is clear: Brad Stevens has a plan — and Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams fit seamlessly into his vision.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/6/28/24457582/hugo-gonzalez-amari-williams-boston-celtics-future

 

[Boston Celtics]

Brad Stevens isn’t done making deals

Soobum Im-Imagn Images

Expect the Celtics to continue to maximize their flexibility and positioning themselves for both the near and long term

Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics got the offseason kicked off with a bang by trading away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in order to get themselves under the dreaded 2nd Apron. They followed that up with a selection in the first round of the draft, a day two draft trade, and a couple more picks in the 2nd round (which by the way, saved them even more money).

Next #Celtics date to watch: JD Davison's team option due SUN. Declining would drop C's below the 3rd tax bracket, bring their tax hit down to ~$43M & pull them within $5.1M of the 1st apron line, $12.8M of the tax line

Not drafting a 2R to a roster deal saved them about $2.3M

— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) June 27, 2025​

Even with all that movement and activity, we’re still just a few days into the offseason calendar. It seems silly to point this out, but there’s plenty of time for Brad to keep wheeling and dealing.

Note: I believe the Celtics when they say they never seriously considered trading Brown or White. You always have to listen in case they offer a ridiculously stupid overpay package, but even then you still need to put star level talent around Tatum or else you are messing with something special.

Free agency will open soon and some of the trades that have been agreed to around the league haven’t even been finalized yet. So there’s still a chance that the Celtics could expand those deals or flip some of the incoming players elsewhere.

In fact, we have at least two sources that have indicated that Stevens is trying to do just that.

From MassLive’s Brian Robb

However, with free agency approaching and the Celtics prioritizing bringing back free agents Al Horford and Luke Kornet, league sources tell MassLive that the Celtics are expected to remain active in the trade market while retooling their roster. The team is expected to explore their options with newly acquired talent like Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang and other parts of the roster including Sam Hauser.

From The Athletic’s Jay King

Looking to continue shedding salary, the Celtics have explored the idea of flipping Simons’ $27.7 million expiring contract, according to league sources. In such a move, they would be aiming to accomplish two organizational directives Brad Stevens emphasized after the first round of the NBA Draft on Wednesday: regaining more roster flexibility and setting up a path to retain free agents Luke Kornet and Al Horford.

We’ve heard a lot from the Celtics about maximizing that flexibility. Some of that is just code for cutting costs. However, those cost cutting moves do allow you to make moves and could even open up enough space to help us re-sign our centers and/or hang onto Sam Hauser (who’s on a very good value contract for his production).

Both Simons and Niang inherently give the Celtics flexibility since they are on expiring contracts. They can be dealt right away or the team could wait till the trade deadline. Those two along with Sam Hauser all possess the very valuable skillset of being able to shoot the ball with high efficiency.

The roster and depth chart might not make a ton of sense at this moment, and that’s ok. There’s still plenty of time to put together a more cohesive short term roster while maintaining the flexibility to make moves later on. The team might not be willing to say this out loud, but it almost doesn’t matter what the roster looks like on opening night. (And there will be no shortage of mini-goals that the coaching staff will have for the players) As long as it all makes sense and is ready to compete at the highest levels when Jayson Tatum returns to the court.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/6/...-making-deals-boston-celtics-nba-trade-rumors

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics decide upon future of G League MVP — for now

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

The team picked up JD Davison’s team option after his G League MVP season — but it’s non-guaranteed.

The Celtics have exercised JD Davison’s team option for the upcoming season, Michael Scotto of Hoop Hype first reported. The one-year deal is non-guaranteed, per the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, and will be worth $2.27 million.

Last year, Davison had the best G League season of his career, averaging 25.6 points, 7.8 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals en route to being named G League MVP.

Davison, who was drafted with the 53rd overall pick by the Celtics in 2022, had spent the last three seasons on a two-way contract with the Celtics, but has gotten limited on-court opportunities with the parent club. He appeared in a career-high 16 NBA games last year, but in his three-year career, he’s only played 198 regular-season NBA minutes.

If Davison does stick around next year, he could be presented with a larger opportunity, as Jrue Holiday, who started at guard for the past two seasons, was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this week. Davison could also still be used in a trade or waived, given the non-guaranteed nature of his contract.

Last year, Davison’s teammates sang his praises and expressed their belief he was ready for the next level.

“JD is a really good passer, and he has a really good feel for the game, especially when he’s playing pick-and-roll,” Al Horford said. “He’s a real guard. He’s able to kind of manipulate the defense. And then his ability to get to the basket, he’s really explosive.”

In the spring, Holiday said he expects Davison to make the transition to the NBA soon.

“He’s definitely going to be a really good NBA player,” Holiday said.

Ahead of the playoffs, the Celtics converted his two-way contract to a standard deal, with a team option in the second year. That option has now been exercised.

“I just felt it was the right thing to do because of what he’s done for our program and what he’s done as a player and what he’s done as a person off the court,” Joe Mazzulla said after Davison’s contract was first converted. “So, I’m really happy for him.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/6/29/24458492/celtics-g-league-jd-davison

 

[Boston Celtics]

CelticsBlog community poll: grade the Celtics 2025 Draft

Photo by Borja B. Hojas/Getty Images

How do you feel about Boston’s draft haul?

The 2025 NBA Draft has concluded, and all the camera crews have left the Barclays Center for another year. We invite our CelticsBlog readers to give your thoughts on Boston’s draft haul this year.

After Night 1 of the draft, Brad Stevens continuously mentioned “flexibility,” and that certainly played out on Day 2, as the Celtics moved back and gained additional draft capital.

In an international twist, Brad Stevens and the front office selected players from Spain, England, and Ukraine, respectively. As we study the tape and learn more, we want to see what the fanbase thinks. Hugo González is the first Spanish first round pick since 2021 when Usman Garuba and Santi Aldama were selected.

Photo by Sonia Canada/Getty Images

The summary of assets Boston came away with after the 2025 NBA Draft are:

Pick #28 Hugo González, Real Madrid (Spain) SF, • 6’6” | 207 pounds (19 yrs)

Traded back from #32 in the second round with the Orlando Magic for 2 future second round picks (2026, 2027) and the 2 picks below:

Pick #46 Amari Williams, C, Kentucky • Sr • 7’0” | 262 pounds (23 yrs)

Pick #57 Max Shulga, PG/SG, VCU • Sr • 6’5” | 206 pounds (23 yrs)

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Drop a grade in our poll below and sound off in the comments section.

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Various media outlets have started to grade all the teams and Boston’s grade varies. The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie graded Boston a B-, ESPN’s Kevin Pelton gave Boston a C+, Yahoo Sports Kevin O’Connor gave the Celtics a B+, whilst CBS Sports David Cobb gave Boston a B overall.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/6/...draft-hugo-gonzalez-amari-williams-max-shulga

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics sign free agent center Luka Garza

Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images

Former college star signed two-year vet minimum with Boston.

Per ESPN's Shams Charania, the Celtics have signed former Iowa standout and Minnesota Timberwolves center Luka Garza to a 2-year, $5.5 million veteran minimum contract. In 39 games with Minnesota last season Garza averaged 3.5 PPG and 1.4 REB on 49.5% shooting from the field and 27.8% from three.

Free agent center Luka Garza has agreed to a two-year, $5.5 million fully guaranteed deal with the Boston Celtics, sources tell ESPN. The Celtics negotiated the new deal with Garza's representatives Mark Bartelstein and Kieran Piller of @PrioritySports tonight. pic.twitter.com/d5x5HzGYIL

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025​

According to The Athletic's Jay King, the Celtics have been a fan of Garza for a while according to Jon Krawczynski of the Athletic. He said Boston has made inquires for Garza in the past with Minnesota and finally were able to acquire him.

This signing came minutes after Luke Kornet signed a 4-year/$41 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs and with Al Horford still a free agent, Garza has a chance to play real minutes for the first time in his NBA career. Garza was a standout college player at Iowa where he was a two time National Player of the Year and two time Kareem Abdul-Jabar Award Winner, given to the best center in college basketball.

He also found great success in the G League early on in his career as he was named to the All-NBA G League Third Team and NBA G League All-Rookie Team in 2022. He was also named to the NBA G League Next Up Game for back to back seasons where he won MVP of the game in 2023 and played in 2024.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/6/...t-center-luka-garzabrad-stevens-nba-offseason

 

[Boston Celtics]

A moment of appreciation for Luke Kornet, the ultimate teammate

Luke Kornet rises up to alter a Keldon Johnson shot. | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

People started to realize just how great he is at the end of his time with the Celtics.

Perhaps it was naive of me, but I genuinely thought the Celtics would get creative and find a way to keep Luke Kornet.

Jrue Holiday? Too bad, but it had to be done. Kristaps Porzingis? Also a bummer, but it felt inevitable. But not Luke. No way.

When Kornet first came to Boston, Celtics fans generally thought of him as a serviceable backup big who could eat up minutes and played the game the right way. All those things are still true, but as it turned out, he had a lot more to offer than anyone around these parts realized (except for maybe Brad Stevens).

Free agent center Luke Kornet has agreed to a four-year, $41 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs, sources tell ESPN. Key frontcourt addition for the Spurs, who negotiated a contract tonight with Kornet's agent Max Wiepking of Gersh Sports. pic.twitter.com/cLnXxWJ2cv

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025​

Kornet upped his minutes, scoring and rebounding every year in Boston. With more opportunity came more production, and this year, something started to really click as he took it to the next level.

He worked extremely well with Jayson Tatum in the pick and roll, had better hands and touch around the rim than he gets credit for and became a menace defensively. Part of it was simply that he got his shot, but I also genuinely believe he got better.

We don’t always talk about role-player prime as much as we should, but the reality is that Kornet maximized his prime with the Celtics the past few years.

He’s as lovable and unassuming as a scrub who never plays, yet as skilled and polished as a high-level starter. Whatever you need him to do, he’ll do it extremely well. It’s rare to find someone who can excel in truly any role.

Whether he doesn’t play at all or logs 30 minutes, he’s still going to positively shape the culture of a team. You always knew you could trust him out there.

Kornet lightens the mood with sarcasm, goofiness and enthusiasm, but he’s also extremely competitive, has a great motor and brings out the best in those around him. Every team needs a guy like that, but few have one with such a unique gift.

My favorite Kornet clip is this one, where he campaigns to win the Tommy Award.

Luke Kornet is campaigning to win the 2025 Tommy Award

This might be the single best piece of Celtics content you will see this year pic.twitter.com/wGAxSgBym5

— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) April 12, 2025​

My favorite Kornet game is this one, where he blocked seven shots and honestly looked like Wilt Chamberlain.

KORNET WAS KEY

Watch all SEVEN of his blocks... to go along with 10 points (5-5 fgm) and 9 rebounds in the @celtics W https://t.co/66dzWG3Uj2 pic.twitter.com/40ryJ9WWAG

— NBA (@NBA) May 15, 2025​

While it’s certainly a tough loss for the Celtics, you can’t help but be happy for Kornet, who deserves this contract. Plus, he goes to a great franchise, gets to team up with and mentor Victor Wembanyama and has chance to help a promising young team take the next step.

If there were a Celtics role player hall of fame, I’d put Kornet in it. Not just for the way he played, but also for the way he carried himself and lifted up those around him.

They don’t make many like him. He’ll be missed.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...tics-san-antonio-spurs-moment-of-appreciation

 

[Boston Celtics]

CelticsBlog film session: Josh Minott vs. the Celtics

Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

Josh Minott barely played in Minnesota, but his tools and flashes suggest more than the box score. Let’s reviewed his last game against Boston together and see what he could bring to the Celtics next season.

On the second day of free agency, the Celtics agreed to a two-year, $5 million deal with former Timberwolves forward Josh Minott. The young player who was drafted with the 45th pick in 2022 after one year of college at Memphis, only played 46 games for Minnesota last season, averaging 2.6 points and one rebound. And yet, there are good reasons to be excited about him.

The most impressive upside of his profile is his defensive abilities. Back at Memphis in the NCAA, he posted a 3.1 STL% and a 5.4 BLK% — numbers that are clear indicators of elite defensive potential. His measurements were impressive for a wing. At the Draft Combine, he was measured standing 6-foot-8.75 in shoes with a 6-foot-11.75 wingspan, which explains why he looked so imposing on defense in his college days. But what about his impact in the NBA?

Per CleaningTheGlass.com, he has played fewer than 250 minutes of non-garbage time so far in his three-year career. The young Jamaican wasn’t able to break into the rotation, stuck behind Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Julius Randle, and Donte DiVincenzo. Therefore, we cannot use his NBA stats to analyze him and find insightful information… but we can watch the tape!

He didn’t play a lot of meaningful minutes, but some of them came in January against the Boston Celtics. We’ll look back at his performance against the team we know the most to understand what Josh Minott can bring to the table.

When he entered the game in the first quarter, he was guarding Jayson Tatum. Tatum was the inbounder on the baseline action and got the ball again after a back screen. Minott was able to navigate the screen and block Tatum’s lay-up attempt with his long arms. Impressive.

On the next play, in transition, Minott got the ball beyond the line, faked the pass, drove, and euro-stepped around Luke Kornet. But he couldn’t create enough space to score, so he tried to pass the ball to Julius Randle with one hand. The idea was good, but Tatum was there to steal the ball. Yet, the fake and the drive before the turnover look encouraging to me.

Because he is not considered a shooting threat, the Celtics put Luke Kornet on him so the big man could stay in the paint to protect the rim. Yet, Minott showed some nice basketball IQ with a smart backdoor cut on the defense when Kornet was helping, offering a solution to the ball-handler and forcing two free throws.

After Tatum, he also defended Derrick White, as he is quite quick for his size. The Celtics ran their classic empty-side pick-and-roll with a pass at the top and then a second pass to the roll man. Minott got caught behind Al Horford after the switch and tried to intercept the ball when Jrue Holiday passed it, but that’s what the Celtics wanted, and they now had an open shot at the rim.

He was subbed out a few moments later and only came back late in the third quarter. After punishing Kornet for ignoring him with a cut, he then punished him with a corner three as the big man was helping on the drive. He is not a shooter, but he made more than 75% of his free throws in the NCAA, leading me to think there is some shooting touch.

Offensively, he has some burst to take off, too. In this transition, he gets the ball with a little bit of space because Holiday is a bit late in his rotation. He goes left and pushes the ball far to use the empty paint and gain momentum for a beautiful dunk against White.

Then, a few minutes later, he won yet another duel against D-White. He defended him on the pick-and-roll and, at first, struggled to go around the screen. He went under to compensate for the delay in his defense, but White initiated a drive. Minott was able to stay connected with his hips, and when White took off for the lay-up, Josh blocked him against the glass without fouling, thanks to his positioning and reach.

On his last defensive play, he stayed connected on every switch and ended up on Holiday, who wasn’t able to deal with Minott’s level of aggression and length. The young player was able to strip the ball from the hands of the champion and showed why wingspan and hand-eye coordination matter in the NBA.

Josh Minott last game against the Celtics was quite impressive on the defensive end pic.twitter.com/T2xZB5LhMF

— Azad (@azmatlanba) July 2, 2025​

Against the Celtics, we didn’t see much off-ball defense, but he could be interesting as a low man or on the weak side to generate turnovers from skip passes — like here against the Houston Rockets.

If the Celtics’ coaching staff is able to optimize his passing, cutting, and basketball IQ on offense—despite the non-shooting threat—then his defensive upside could unfold, and this could turn into a very interesting contract for the Celtics. He is young and will make mistakes, but the hardware and the software are obvious on the defensive end.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...lves-film-session-defense-offense-block-steal

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics’ latest Summer League addition was just named MVP in China

Photo by Richard Prepetit/NBAE via Getty Images

Former Louisiana Tech star Kenny Lofton Jr will be playing in Las Vegas with the Celtics next week.

The Celtics are taking a flyer on Kenneth Lofton Jr, the former Louisiana Tech star who has previously spent time with the Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers, and Utah Jazz.

Lofton spent last season overseas, playing for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association. He was named the International MVP, beating out other former NBA players like Jared Sullinger and Eric Bledsoe after averaging 25.2 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game.

After going undrafted in 2022, Lofton has appeared in 45 NBA games, And, though he’s been out of college for three years, Lofton is still just 22 years old. He’s shown he can score at the NBA level, exploding for 42 points in his rookie season with the Grizzlies.

In the G League, he’s averaged 22.8 points on 56% shooting alongside 9.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists. The 6’6 forward is undersized, however, and has struggled defensively.

Celtics Summer League Roster​

In addition to Lofton Jr, the following players will be on the Celtics’ Summer League roster. Several more players will be revealed in the coming days.

1. Baylor Scheierman (drafted 30th in 2024, entering sophomore season)
2. Jordan Walsh (drafted 38th in 2023, entering third season)
3. Miles Norris (two-way player, signed last year)
4. Amari Williams (Kentucky center, drafted 46th in 2025)
5. Max Shulga (VCU guard, drafted 57th in 2025)
6. Hayden Gray (UC San Diego guard, undrafted rookie)
7. Aaron Scott (St. John guard Aaron Scott, undrafted rookie)
8. Ben Gregg (Gonzaga forward Ben Gregg, undrafted rookie)
9. Zach Hicks (Penn State forward, undrafted rookie)
10. Jalen Bridges (Baylor forward, played for the Phoenix Suns on a two-way contract last year)

Additionally, Hugo Gonzalez, who was drafted with the 28th overall pick in last week’s draft, said he hopes to play in Summer League. Drew Peterson, who was on a two-way contract with the Celtics for the last two seasons, is unlikely to play.

Celtics Summer League Schedule​

The Celtics will tip off Summer League in Las Vegas on July 11th.

• July 11: Celtics vs. Grizzlies, 4 p.m. ET
• July 13: Celtics vs. Knicks, 5:30 p.m. ET
• July 14: Celtics vs. Heat, 8 p.m. ET
• July 17: Celtics vs. Lakers, 9 p.m. ET
• Game 5 TBD: Celtics vs. TBD

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...enny-lofton-jr-chinese-basketball-association

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics considered potential suitor to sign Damian Lillard

Photo by Brandon Todd/NBAE via Getty Images

The NBA’s newest free agent is looking to join a contending team as he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon, and Boston is reportedly in the mix.

In a shocking development, the Milwaukee Bucks waived their star point guard, Damian Lillard. Lillard suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, and is expected to be sidelined for most if not all of the 25-26 season.

With the departure of their starting center, Brook Lopez, the Bucks looked to make a splash, and agreed to a 4-year, $107 million deal with Myles Turner, formerly of the Indiana Pacers. In order to create the space to sign Turner, Milwaukee decided to waive Lillard, and stretch the remaining $113 million on his contract over the next five years.

With all of that money guaranteed, Dame was reportedly “elated” with the outcome. Eric Nehm, Sam Amick, and Joe Vardon of The Athletic are reporting that he has already received several calls from contending teams looking to bring him in. One of those teams just so happens to be our Boston Celtics, among other teams like the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers. They are all said to be looking to ink a deal with Lillard “sooner rather than later.”

Dame has time to assess his options given that he will be rehabbing his injury for what’s expected to be the full upcoming season. He could choose to join a team now to work through that rehabilitation process with them, or even wait until the following summer when teams would be able to sign him without having to worry about using a roster spot on a player who won’t even see the floor.

In terms of salary, money is no longer a concern, being that he will be receiving the full amount of his previous contract regardless. By signing for anything above the minimum this year or next he does not increase his total salary – the new salary will simply offset how much of the owed amount is paid by Milwaukee.

Keith Smith of Spotrac suggested that Boston could sign Lillard for the minimum this year with a sort of under-the-table promise to him that they’d bring him back the following year using an exception. This would allow Dame and Jayson Tatum the opportunity to work through their rehabilitation process together, and quickly bring the Celtics back into contention when they’re both expected to return in the 26-27 season.

The downside to that is Boston would have two roster spots taken up by players who will not see the floor during the upcoming 25-26 season. It wouldn’t be the worst thing if they truly are looking to effectively tank the season, but it does put extra strain on the active players and coaches.

Damian Lillard’s situation will be one to closely watch over the coming days and weeks. While he may not be the same player on the other side of this injury, a star of his caliber is certainly worth taking a chance on, especially at this discounted opportunity which we rarely see. He’s someone who can immediately elevate any team if he’s anywhere close to his usual self.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...damian-lillard-jayson-tatum-free-agency-bucks

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics rookies' first day in Boston featured Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and much more

Brian Babineau / Celtics

Hugo Gonzalez, Amari Williams, and Max Shulga met with Joe Mazzulla and Brad Stevens in the morning before heading over to the YMCA, where they were officially introduced as Celtics.

On Wednesday night, Hugo Gonzalez celebrated his Real Madrid team’s Spanish league championship. Then, at 6am, he got the much-anticipated call: the Celtics were selecting him 28th in the NBA Draft.

“It was a long night,” Gonzalez said on Tuesday. “But it really paid off.”

The days only got more hectic from there for the 19-year-old, who flew to Boston on Monday.

Alongside the Celtics’ two other 2025 NBA draft picks — VCU sharpshooter Max Shulga and Kentucky center Amari Williams — Gonzalez was officially introduced as a Celtic on Tuesday morning.

First, the trio visited the practice facility, where they met with Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla. Gonzalez also officially signed his contract with the Celtics, a 4-year, $14.3 million deal.

Shulga and Williams, who are both likely to sign two-way contracts, also got to meet their new head coach.

“He’s a very straightforward guy,” Shulga said of Mazzulla. “Says things how they are. Doesn’t really sugarcoat anything.”

Shulga has more insight into the process of developing on the Celtics than the average rookie; in his freshman season at Utah State, he was teammates with Neemias Queta, who is entering his third season on the Celtics.

Queta and Shulga went out to dinner when Shulga worked out with the Celtics a few weeks ago, and now, the Ukrainian guard is picking Queta’s brain on the process. Queta has advised him to “be a sponge” and try to learn as much as possible from his teammates and the coaching staff.

“He said it’s gonna be hard,” Shulga said. “As a rookie, especially, it’s gonna be a transition period.”

After breakfast, the rookies headed to the Huntington YMCA, where the Celtics unveiled a renovated basketball court — and their new draft class. They addressed the more than 75 kids in attendance and shared their initial reflections on what it was like to hear their names called.

“Being drafted by the Celtics is a dream come true,” Gonzalez said.

Hugo Gonzalez:

“Getting drafted by the Celtics is a dream come true.” pic.twitter.com/QroVTT9cF0

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) July 1, 2025​

Donning Celtics T-shirts, Gonzalez, Hulga, and Williams participated in drills and competitions for nearly an hour. It was the type of event that the Celtics regularly hold, in which young players spend quality time with kids and local community centers across the Boston area.

While some teams introduce their rookies in a more formal environment, the Celtics have turned to community events to do so as of late.

“I think it’s always important knowing you’re playing for the city, not just for yourself and your teammates, but everyone in the community,” Williams said. “It’s essential to be connected and show your appreciation.”

The rookies also got to meet Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown ​

The Celtics shared photos of Gonzalez, Shulga, and Williams meeting the franchise cornerstones, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Last week, Stevens said that both stars have been regularly rehabbing at the Auerbach Center, Tatum from his Achilles rupture repair, and Brown from his partially torn meniscus.

Very cool to see that Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown — who are both rehabbing at the Auerbach Center — both met the rookies today

(Photos via Celtics Instagram) pic.twitter.com/PTGGXXAOHV

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) July 1, 2025​

“It’s usually the time of the year when I don’t see those guys a lot,” Stevens said. “They usually go and kind of rest, and get away, but they’ve both prioritized getting better and rehabbing, and after a long season, I appreciate that about them.”

Neemias Queta, who could be due for a larger frontcourt role with Luke Kornet and Kristaps Porzingis both already departing this offseason, was also at the practice facility.

Shulga and Williams will both be playing in Summer League, which begins on July 10th in Las Vegas. The status of Gonzalez, who is just a few days removed from the conclusion of his season with Madrid, has not yet been confirmed, though he expressed optimism he’d join the team in Las Vegas.

“I hope yes,” Gonzalez said. “I’m pretty excited about it.”

Asked Hugo Gonzalez if he plans on playing in Summer League:

“I hope yes. I’m pretty excited about it.” pic.twitter.com/bQMdYbqEPs

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) July 1, 2025​

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...-gonzalez-max-shulga-amari-williams-nba-draft

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics sign forward Josh Minott

Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Boston has signed another former Timberwolf to a 2-year deal.

The Boston Celtics have signed former Minnesota Timberwolves forward Josh Minott to a 2-year, $5 million contract, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Free agent forward Josh Minott has agreed to a two-year, $5 million deal with the Boston Celtics, sources tell ESPN. Celtics executives finalized the new deal with Minott's agent, Aaron Turner of Verus. pic.twitter.com/GYALerDzKM

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025

Just a day after signing Luka Garza to 2-year $5.5 million deal, Boston secures another now-former Timberwolf. Last season in 46 games played, Minott averaged 2.6 points and 1 rebound per game on 49% from the floor and 33% from three point range in just 6.0 minutes per game.

With Luke Kornet, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis out the door, Boston needs more players in the front court and Minott, at just 22-years-old, represents a young player that Brad Stevens & Co. are taking a flier on.

Minott, whose nickname is ‘The Lawn Mower' according to Basketball Reference, was the 46th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft after playing for Penny Hardaway at Memphis. Minnesota declined Minott’s $2.19 team option to make him a free agent on Sunday.

This deal puts the Celtics back over the dreaded second apron so look for them to make another move soon.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...ta-timberwolves-brad-stevens-joe-mazzulla-nba

 

[Boston Celtics]

The Celtics are going to be okay

David Butler II-Imagn Images

Losing key pieces from a championship team hurts, but the Celtics still have a chance to contend long term.

Losing Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Luke Kornet with Al Horford’s departure likely coming next hurts. It hurts a lot.

Those players helped us win a championship and are legends in Boston forever. They’ll return to tribute videos the make us emotional and we’ll give them a standing ovation.

It stinks and is no fun — none of this offseason has been fun.

Losing Jayson Tatum for most of, if not all, of the 2025-26 season kills any chance to compete makes this even more difficult.

Next season won’t be as fun as the last four have - although three of the endings haven’t been fun. The Celtics aren't going to go into the season as a contender.

That doesn’t mean it is time to panic. A Big 3 of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White with support pieces of Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard is a good place to start.

That is a five-man unit that has a ton of shooting and guys who can create for themselves and others. Sure, Hauser and Pritchard might get picked on a bit on defense but their shooting on the other end makes up for it.

Do the Celtics need a long term center? Yes they do. However, solid centers are not very expensive on the free agent market and Boston has a chance to have their full Mid-Level exception next summer. If they do have it, hopefully they don’t sign Tristan Thompson again.

However, acting like the C’s are starting from scratch is something I find to be very bizarre. They aren’t. They are starting from a pretty good position I would argue.

Joe Mazzulla is an elite head coach and Brad Stevens is an elite lead executive. I have all the faith in the world that those two guys are going to make the right decision to build this roster out around their three best players.

This season also gives the Celtics to see what they have in the wings they have drafted in the past three drafts with Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman and Hugo Gonzalez.

I really enjoyed some of the things Scheierman did in his first season as a Celtic and a lot of people like Gonzalez as a prospect.

The Celtics also have Anfernee Simons’ $27 million expiring contract on their books that they can trade, let him walk as a free agent or extend him if they so choose. Though an extension would be very surprising and likely a bad move so they shouldn’t do that.

A lot of this depends on Jayson Tatum coming back and being a great player but I have every confidence in the world that Tatum will do just that. He has never given Celtic fans any reason to doubt him in any way.

Building around Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White has already led to one Celtic championship and Hauser and Pritchard were big pieces of that. Having those five guys on your roster is a very good place to start this retooling that the Celtics are going to under go over the next year.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...tatum-jaylen-brown-derrick-white-brad-stevens

 

[Boston Celtics]

Let the darts fly: Boston’s path through a transitional year

Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

The Celtics are headed toward a gap year, but the season is far from lost.

I’m a mediocre darts player. There’s very little precision in my gameplay, but after enough attempts, I may luck my way into a bullseye. In a year destined for uncertainty, the Celtics can deploy a similar approach.

Boston is down two of their top three centers, and while Al Horford has yet to make a decision, his departure feels likely as well. The frontcourt has been swiftly dismantled, but on the bright side, this clean break allows the team to pivot into a gap year.

The Celtics still have a lightly traced outline of their championship roster with Jaylen Brown and Derrick White leading the way. However, with a deeply inexperienced center rotation and Jayson Tatum on the sidelines, it’s difficult to see them competing for more than a Play-In spot.

If that’s the case, it would reasonably be in their best interest to prioritize health and development over a few extra wins.

An Eye Toward the Draft

When thinking of a franchise so committed to hanging banners, I hesitate to use the word tank, because it’s a touchy subject and often signals a lost season. But for Boston, there’s a lot that can be accomplished by accepting their fate and increasing their lottery odds.

In practical terms, that means giving young players extended minutes, being cautious with veterans, and not rushing through injuries. While not a full-on implosion, it’s a shift in focus that helps them ease into and navigate a transitional year.

By all accounts, the 2026 NBA Draft class is loaded. There are intriguing returners, and talented incoming freshmen led by a Big Three of Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa. Each of these three is in the mix for the #1 pick and would be a prize in any draft.

If Boston positions themselves to land any of them, it will immediately inject life into the franchise. They would either have an unbelievable trade chip to target an established player, or a dynamic young prospect that can take some of the load off of the current stars.

It’s a similar set of circumstances to the 2019-2020 Golden State Warriors team that in the absence of Steph Curry, finished with 15 wins and the second overall pick after winning 57 games the year before. It’s also a cautionary tale, as the Warriors picked James Wiseman, but this upcoming draft class projects to be far superior.

As we know, the Warriors didn’t take long to return to excellence. It wasn’t because of their high draft pick, but what they did accomplish was identifying a few members of their next championship team in Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins. Boston has an opportunity to nail the draft and find contributors in a similar vain.

If the current state of affairs has made anything clear, it’s that team-building needs to prioritize rookie contracts and hidden gems. While the draft offers long-term answers, the more immediate opportunity lies in identifying contributors who are already in the building or just arriving.

See What Sticks

Brad Stevens hasn’t wasted any time taking fliers. Shortly after news broke of Luke Kornet signing with the Spurs, an agreement was announced between the Celtics and Luka Garza. They followed that up by signing another former Timberwolf in Josh Minott.

Earlier in the draft, they selected 19-year-old wing Hugo Gonzalez with their first-round pick, and then a pair of 23-year-olds in the second round with Amari Williams and Max Shulga.

Stevens and the Celtics have already started throwing darts, but they don’t need a bullseye when simply getting on the board will do. Of course, if one of these new additions transforms into a star it would be wonderful, but the bottom line is that they are on the hunt for role players.

The door is also wide open for returning Celtics to break through and establish themselves. Baylor Scheierman, Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh and a few other returners have a real pathway to minutes that was rarely afforded to them in the past.

Without the added pressure of competing for a championship, Boston can cultivate an environment that is conducive to player development. The key benefit of a gap year is that the Celtics aren’t looking for anyone to build a culture from scratch. They have an identity and shared mindset, simply needing people that can add to it.

If this were a full rebuild, Boston would be searching for stars. Instead, they can spend time learning who fits next to their best players and adds value to the team.

Closing Thoughts

For years, the Celtics have worked hard to establish a connection with their G-League affiliate in Maine. That has resulted in many NBA call-ups, and a development program that prepares players for when they get their chance.

Boston is going to continue to take full advantage of this pipeline in pursuit of contributors, and they’ve already begun to increase their collaboration with the team. Maine’s head coach Tyler Lashbrook has taken a new position in Boston, and his replacement is Phil Pressey.

“Phil is a dedicated coach who has been instrumental in our player development over the last two seasons,” Joe Mazzulla said.

This puts a coach in Maine that knows exactly what the Celtics’ vision is, and allows him to be an important resource in preparing players for the next level. Additionally, Lashbrook can bring over wisdom about managing the development of multiple players at one time.

For the first time in a long time, Boston’s season won’t be defined by their playoff success. They have room to set short-term goals that lead to the construction of a more sustainable and versatile roster. Taking as many fliers as possible on unproven talent is a good place to start.

While next year may be a bit unfamiliar, it’s a step back to move forward with purpose again.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...ransitional-year-hugo-gonzalez-amari-williams