The Boston Celtics extended Jaylen Brown to a supermax contract about two weeks ago and haven’t done anything major since. The team is likely done making big splashes this offseason, but that doesn’t mean they are entirely done changing things up. This is a roundup of some of the biggest potential reports and rumors of the week for the Celtics.
Celtics Report Roundup: Team May Bring Back Former #1 Pick
Celtics Reportedly Open to Bringing Back Blake Griffin
According to CLNS’s Bobby Manning, the “door remains open” for the Celtics to re-sign Blake Griffin this offseason. Griffin signed for the veteran’s minimum last September. The 2009 1st-overall pick played in just 41 games for Boston and started 16. Griffin averaged 4.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 1.5 APG. These are all career lows for the big man.
It is evident he’s not the same All-NBA talent he was a decade ago. Even so, the 34-year-old still offers depth and shooting in the frontcourt. Re-signing Griffin would a very low-risk, high-reward move for the team. This is especially true if they can bring him back on another minimum contract.
Svi Mykhailiuk Receives Contract Offer from Celtics
Even though the Celtics are apparently keeping tabs on Griffin, the team has reportedly extended a contract offer to Svi Mykhailiuk. Mykhailiuk was drafted in the second round of the 2018 draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. Last season, Mykhailiuk played in 32 total games with 8 starts with the New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets. In these games, the 26-year-old averaged 6.9 PPG and 1.7 APG on 44.5 FG% and 42.4 3pt%.
As a career 36% three-point shooter, Mykhailiuk has proven that he can be a solid offensive player on the perimeter. The Celtics are likely still looking for one last player to fit into their rotation, and Mykhailiuk would be an intriguing option. There is competition for Mykhailiuk, however, as Jordan Walsh, Sam Hauser, and Oshae Brissett all have something to offer as well.
It is currently being reported that Mykhailiuk’s contract likely wouldn’t be guaranteed.
Whether Mykhailiuk makes his way to Boston or not remains to be seen. Mykhailiuk is still young and has a promising offensive game. Signing him for depth, especially for a cheap contract, could be a good idea for Boston. With that final rotation spot still up for grabs, it’s never a bad thing to have more options and keep it competitive for the other wings on the roster.
Two Celtics Players Ruled Out of FIBA World Cup
New Celtics addition Brissett reportedly will not play for Team Canada in the FIBA World Cup due to a knee injury. Also, Celtics big man Al Horford will reportedly not play for the Dominican Republic.
Brissett signed a two-year contract with the Celtics on the first day of free agency and will look to be a part of the team’s rotation. The 25-year-old last played for the Indiana Pacers before making his way to Boston.
As for Horford, it is likely that he’s just sitting out to rest in preparation for the 2023-24 NBA season. This season is the final one on Horford’s contract. It remains to be seen if Horford suits up for the Celtics after this year.
Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics’ big splash of the offseason, is the only player rostered who is expected to play in the FIBA World Cup for Latvia.
