The Celtics didn’t go through such a lengthy test in training camp this season, choosing instead to target established contributors who are confident in their roles. That led to a less-than-exciting fourth quarter, with little variation in rotation minutes among bench players who don’t have a large postseason role on a top-heavy roster. All eyes will be on Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday on Wednesday’s opening night, and the added contribution of rookies is a bonus.
However, contract guarantees, overtime and roster checks at the bottom of the depth chart will all come up this week before the Celtics face the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Nothing seemed more likely than Derrick White’s extension schedule later in the evening at 11:59 EST, after which Boston and White could not agree on a long-term deal until next summer, when the league year ends.
White will sign the first two-year deal with the Celtics for the most likely incentive of $18.4 million, then $19.6 million next year before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2025. It seems that the deal will not happen unless it is the latter. . -minute offering from a day when Cole Anthony, Onyeka Okongwu and Giannis Antetokounmpo added rookies and veteran extensions.
The lack of urgency two years in free agency has always made White’s extension a moot point, despite his comfort, importance and focus while staying with the team long-term. He spoke at training last week, preparing fans without an extension, assuring them it was not a reflection of his desire to stay with the team.
“I like it here. It was great as a Celtic,” White said. “That’s never going to change whether I sign before the season or not. If that happens, great. If not, I’m still excited about the season.”
Boston would risk going from a four-year deal to a two-year health deal if they made a deal now, while White could benefit from waiting for free agency or Boston’s maximum offer of four years and about $123 million. of approximately $27.4 million in 2025-26.
The limit applies next summer. White will turn 31 in 2025. With Jrue Holiday becoming eligible in April, Boston and Holiday are poised to negotiate a significant contract, as he already makes close to $40 million per year.
Elsewhere, non-guaranteed players Dalano Banton, Luke Kornet, Svi Mykhailiuk and Lamar Stevens appear to be protected after remaining on the roster after most of the league was down to 15 starters this weekend.
The Knicks surprised the Celtics by waiving F/C Nathan Knight, who joined Boston in a two-way deal that forced the team to waive Jay Scrubb, who tore his ACL earlier this month. Scrubb, seen at the facility this week, plans to rehabilitate around the team and should maintain two-way eligibility for the 2024-25 season. Knight spent the last two practices with assistant Jermaine Buckner as he slowly acclimated to his new team. He scored four points in eight preseason minutes in New York.
Knight, a 26-year-old 6-8 man, shined against the Celtics with the Timberwolves in Minnesota’s 2021-22 win over Boston.
After being let go by New York, he vaguely remembered the game. He said he’ll do whatever the Celtics ask to stay, which mostly means playing the big man position in Maine, but his flexibility to play the four like Al Horford with the team’s bench bigs could earn him a call. in crisis It’s also a sign of the team’s changing outlook on fellow tight end Neemias Queta, who excelled in the preseason and now plans to spend more time in Boston than Maine.
“It’s a great feeling,” Queta told CLNS Media on Friday. “But that means it’s only the beginning of the work. I’m very happy to be here and I’m very happy that it’s going well, but it’s a really, really, really long season and we just have to hold on. we’ll know , what we’re up against… keep building on those early season wins.
If Queta extends his individual preseason performance of 9.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game on 86.7 percent shooting, the Celtics will eventually have to consider moving his two-way contract to a regular contract to secure both his playoff and long-term spot in Boston. .
There’s also no rush, as the Celtics aren’t risking a concussion or injury if they play him in the allowed 50 games players can play with their NBA teams. Keeping him two-way also preserves the roster flexibility created by waiving Wenyen Gabriel last week, as the Celtics hope to enter the season with 14 players and an open regular spot, as they often do. Knight, Queta, and J.D. Davison is currently filled with three two-way slots.
Queta will also have to continue to struggle with building favorite Kornet, who struggled in the pre-season to adapt to a new defensive look and a new crop of second-unit players he has focused on building. Kornet enters the season earning $1.1 million of his $2.4 million (guaranteed on Jan. 10). Banton ($1 million of $2 million) and Mykhailiuk ($1.2 million of $2.4 million) will receive similar guarantees on Wednesday, while Stevens’ presence this week indicates he was on the roster after signing a training camp contract last month. Stevens will make just over $2 million on a one-year, minimum deal.
The league’s roster cuts haven’t turned out to be as attractive as they could have been, especially for a team like the Thunder with a loaded back end. Oklahoma City resolved their impasse by trading Victor Oladipo and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl for Kevin Porter Jr.’s contract, which they terminated and moved Jack White to 15 players.
Robinson-Earl was cut by Houston as a possible fit for Boston due to frontcourt depth issues, but other cuts like Taj Gibson, Keon Johnson and Rudy Gay likely won’t make the Celtics jump into their last spot just yet. Boston will not be able to sign buyers later in the season as the second apron team.
