The Boston Celtics have signed free agent Svi Mykhailiuk to a one-year minimum deal. As of now, the Celtics currently have one open roster spot remaining. This comes roughly a week after the Celtics brought four wing players for a workout.
Free agent Svi Mykhailiuk has agreed to a one-year deal with the Boston Celtics, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 31, 2023
The Boston Celtics Sign Svi Mykhailiuk
Mykhailiuk has been on the Celtics’ radar for a bit now, as the team offered him a contract earlier in August. There were questions about whether Mykhailiuk was planning on playing in Europe next season or if he was interested in spending another year in the NBA.
Svi Mykhailiuk’s Career
The Los Angeles Lakers drafted Mykhailiuk with the 47th pick in the 2018 draft. He had a limited role with the team and only appeared in 39 games.
Los Angeles traded Mykhailiuk to the Detroit Pistons in February 2019 for Reggie Bullock. The Ukranian forward/guard saw a little more success in Motor City, averaging 8 PPG on 39.6 FG% and 37.8 3PT% over 95 games (including 32 starts).
In March 2021, the Pistons traded Mykhailiuk to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Hamidou Diallo. During his time with the Thunder, Mykhailiuk averaged 10.3 PPG and 3 RPG on 43.8 FG% and 33.6 3PT%. Mykhailiuk also played a still career-high 23 MPG while in OKC.
The Kansas alum would depart shortly after in the following free agency to join the Toronto Raptors.
Mykhailiuk’s time in Toronto was also uneventful, but he did get his first glimpse of the postseason. Still, the Raptors were eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round, and Mykhailiuk only played about five minutes over three games.
In August 2022, almost a year after he signed with the team, the Raptors waived Mykhailiuk.
Mykhailiuk signed with the New York Knicks and only played in 13 games before getting traded to the Charlotte Hornets in February 2023 as a part of a four-team trade.
Luckily for Mykhailiuk, this trade to Charlotte gave him the best year of his career thus far. In 19 games (including eight starts), Mykhailiuk averaged 10.6 PPG, 2.4 RPG, and 2.7 APG over 22.5 MPG. This includes a 26-point performance in his revenge game against the Raptors.
Mykhailiuk also shot 44.1% from the field and 40.4% from behind the line.
How Does Svi Mykhailiuk Fit in Boston?
It’s been no secret that the Celtics have been looking to fill a Grant Williams-sized void at the wing position after the forward departed to the Dallas Mavericks this offseason.
Over the last few months, the Celtics have drafted Jordan Walsh and signed Oshae Brissett and Dalano Banton. The Celtics also signed Jay Scrubb to a two-way contract and still have Sam Hauser rostered.
Mykhailiuk offers the most NBA experience of all the options above and has proven he can be a good perimeter shooter off the bench.
At the very least, Mykhailiuk offers an extra body at the end of the Celtics’ bench. Conversely, Mykhailiuk could become a legitimate scoring option for when the Celtics need to rest Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Mykhailiuk is coming off a hot stint with the Hornets, which bodes well for him.
The Last Word on Mykhailiuk and the Celtics
Realistically, Mykhailiuk won’t be a game-changer for the Celtics. Still, this move offers no risk and all the potential for the Celtics. It should be interesting to see who ultimately wins the main backup wing spot. With his perimeter scoring potential, Mykhailiuk makes an interesting case to be the guy to do it.
