Because the 2022-23 NBA season got here to finish, the Boston Celtics misplaced in disappointing trend to the Miami Warmth in Recreation 7 of the Jap Convention Finals — an ending that left quite a lot of followers unhappy, and with the anticipation, or anxiousness, of what offseason strikes the Celtics will make up till the beginning of the season.
Fortunately, the Celtics’ 2023 Las Vegas Summer League workforce is shaping as much as be filled with potential and viable NBA expertise, to not point out that it will likely be a great hold-over till the season truly begins. Headlining the SL roster is now-sophomore JD Davison and rookie Jordan Walsh, who discovered himself on the receiving finish of a four-year, $7.6 million deal yesterday.
The roster is filled with guys which have the potential to earn themselves a two-way and discover themselves being part of a championship workforce. Other than Davison, who had one of many two-way spots final season, 5 names soar off the web page that may very well be high candidates for the two-way: Vincent Valerio-Bodon, Aleksander Balcerowski, Mychal Mulder, Jay Scrubb and Kamar Baldwin.
Valerio-Bodon, 22, is a small ahead that’s performed 4 years within the Hungary A League, and through the 2022-23 season, he averaged 8.6 factors, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per sport. Whereas his numbers don’t precisely mild up the field rating, his means to get out in transition is certainly a significant factor contributing to his upside. Together with having the ability to double as a lob risk who thrives off of backdoor cuts to the online, and a optimistic on the defensive finish of the ball, Valerio-Bodon makes a robust case for himself to earn that two-way contract. As unlikely as it’s he’d see significant minutes, he’s the kind of participant the Celtics may benefit from in the event that they wanted a spark on the defensive facet of the ball.
Subsequent up is Balcerowski. The 7’2”, 22-year previous heart is certainly one of many extra thrilling Summer season League prospects. Coming from Spain’s Liga Endesa, Balcerowski averaged 9.2 factors, 3.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists per sport. Just like Valerio-Bodon, Balcerowski’s stats don’t inform the entire story of what he affords. The massive man is able to being a strong screener, together with having the ability to learn the rim for put-back and rebound alternatives. Balcerowski would give Boston some insurance coverage to their heart depth with damage considerations with Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Robert Williams III.
For somebody who has been across the NBA and the G-League, Mulder can be a terrific possibility for a two-way contract. Final season, Mulder averaged 16.4 factors, 3.6 rebounds, and a pair of.6 assists per sport for the Sioux Falls Skyforce. At 29 years previous, Mulder would have the ability to present the Celtics with a veteran presence and a few much-needed end-of-bench depth for reasonable with the brand new CBA looming.
Jay Scrubb is one other man that will discover himself with a two-way contract. The 22-year previous taking pictures guard has additionally made his rounds within the NBA and the G-League, enjoying for each the Los Angeles Clippers and the Orlando Magic, together with their G-League associates. Just like what Mulder might present, Scrubb may give that very same stage of end-of-bench depth on the low, whereas additionally being considerably youthful. Scrubb has proven flashes of potential and remains to be younger sufficient for him to nonetheless faucet into it.
Kamar Baldwin needs to be one other candidate in robust rivalry for a two-way contract. Baldwin performed the 22-23 season within the G-League for the Maine Celtics the place he averaged 13.1 factors, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per sport. His scouting report out of school raved about his means to stress the ball, whereas having nice consciousness and instincts. Baldwin is also an environment friendly shooter; he averaged 46.1% from the sphere, whereas notching 36.9% from 3. The 25-year-old would offer the Celtics with some first rate guard depth along with his means to affect the sport on each ends of the ground.
On the finish of the day, any participant on the Celtics’ Summer season League roster has a chance to earn a two-way deal. It’ll be about who steps up, who doesn’t, and what areas of enchancment the Celtics important roster must give attention to. The 2023 Summer season League season for the Celtics is ready to tip off on July eighth at 3 pm EST towards the Miami Warmth.