A week following their historic 18th NBA championship win, the Boston Celtics made strategic moves in the NBA Draft, using the 30th pick to secure Baylor Scheierman and the 54th pick for Anton Watson. These acquisitions set the stage for their participation in the upcoming Summer League, where they will debut for the Celtics in their quest to defend their title, commencing with a matchup against the Miami Heat on July 13.
While the Celtics’ full Summer League roster has yet to be finalized, reports from Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe indicate that Jaden Springer, Jordan Walsh, Drew Peterson, and undrafted free agent Tristan Enaruna will join Scheierman and Watson in Las Vegas. Leading the team during Summer League will be D.J. MacLeay, taking over coaching responsibilities from Tony Dobbins.
The Celtics recently re-signed Drew Peterson to a two-way contract, mirroring his arrangement from the previous season. Meanwhile, JD Davison, currently an unrestricted free agent for the 2023-24 campaign, is expected to join the Summer Celtics despite his free agent status, as per Himmelsbach. Boston’s president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, expressed a desire to retain Davison, stating, “JD will be a free agent, but we very much (would) like to try to figure out a way to get him back in (some) capacity.”
JD Davison’s impressive performance, including being named to the All-NBA G League Third Team and helping lead the Maine Celtics to the Finals, underscores his potential value to Boston. His upcoming Summer League performance could further solidify his position within the franchise that drafted him 53rd overall in 2022, while also potentially opening doors for opportunities beyond the Celtics.
In summary, the Celtics are gearing up for the Summer League with a mix of drafted rookies, returning players, and potential free agent signings, aiming to strengthen their roster ahead of the upcoming NBA season.
