This yr, the NBA elevated the variety of two-way contracts from two to 3 and with the latest signing of Neemias Queta, the Boston Celtics have formally used all three of their two-way offers for the upcoming season. Final yr JD Davison and Mfiondu Kabengele have been Boston’s two-way gamers splitting time with the Celtics and the Maine Celtics.
The Celtics have Davison, Queta, and Jay Scrubb locked beneath two-way offers for the 2023-24 season. It’s unlikely that any of the three will get vital minutes with Boston until there may be an harm to supply a pathway to the group. Whether or not it’s rubbish minutes or a fast spurt off the bench to supply power, I made a decision to try every two-way participant and see what they’ll supply this crew if referred to as upon.
JD Davison
Our 2022 second-round draft choose signed his second two-way deal firstly of the summer season. Davison impressed in Maine averaging 12.5 factors and eight.7 assists. The priority with Davison has been turning the ball over. Sadly, this previous Summer time League, Davison shot 26.7% from deep whereas registering 22 turnovers and 31 assists. He averaged 2.9 turnovers throughout 26 video games in Maine.
Davison’s finest recreation for Boston got here within the closing common season recreation towards the Atlanta Hawks. Davison recorded 8 factors, 3 assists, and three rebounds in 35 minutes.
What Davison does present is pace. Davison has a fast first step that permits him to get by his defender and into the paint.
When Davison will get into the paint, he tends to depend on his floater to get his shot over the taller defender.
Davison is an explosive athlete and when he’s out within the open courtroom there are just a few that may cease him.
It is going to be a shock if Davison will get vital minutes in Boston this yr, however one other season in Maine to enhance on his ball safety and decision-making can solely be a optimistic for the 20-year-old.
Jay Scrubb
Jay Scrubb is the second participant the Celtics signed to a two-way deal. The taking pictures guard was drafted by the Brooklyn Nets within the second spherical in 2020 however subsequently traded to the Clippers.
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Now coming into his fourth yr within the league, Scrubb impressed throughout his Summer time League stint, exhibiting his potential to attain. From a main ball handler to slashing to the basket, you couldn’t take your eyes off of Scrubb throughout in Vegas.
Standing at 6’5, Scrubb has good physique management whereas attacking the rim.
Even when attacking the opposing crew’s huge man, Scrubb’s athleticism permits him to hold within the air and regulate his shot accordingly.
Off-the-ball motion and operating off of screens are one in all Scrubb’s strengths. Whether or not it’s a fast pull-up jumper or one dribble straight into his shot, the guard is all the time on the lookout for his shot when house opens.
Utilizing Maine to proceed to develop his defensive aspect of the sport will likely be helpful. It’s going to come to nobody’s shock if Scrubb is the main scorer in Maine this yr. Wherever Scrubb has gone, he’s not solely had the ball in his fingers however is a participant his teammates look to to make performs. Whether or not it’s rubbish minutes within the NBA or being the very best participant whereas at junior faculty, Scrubb is aware of rating the ball.
Neemias Queta
Queta is the third and closing two-way participant to be signed by Boston. Out of the three gamers splitting their time between Maine and Boston, Queta has the very best probability of enjoying probably the most minutes for Boston.
Not solely do the Celtics have a small variety of huge males on their roster (Horford, Williams, Porzingis, and Kornet) however half of the bigs have struggled with accidents of their respective careers.
Each Rob Williams and Kristaps Porzingis have missed plenty of time over the previous few seasons for varied causes. Al Horford doesn’t play back-to-back video games anymore so there may be room for Queta to see the ground all through the season.
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It got here as a shock to Kings followers that Queta was minimize by the Kings (to make room for JaVale McGee) after a formidable season with their G-League crew, the Stockton Kings.
Queta was the G League MVP runner-up final season, averaging 16.8 factors and eight.8 rebounds whereas taking pictures 68% from the ground.
Queta brings measurement to Boston’s frontcourt standing at 7 ft tall and weighing round 250 kilos. On offense, Queta will continually be requested to supply screens, however Queta confirmed stable offensive consciousness to house the ground for ball handlers to assault the rim with out Queta interfering.
The next clip will look acquainted to Celtics followers because it’s an identical play Boston requires Rob Williams.
Queta will primarily roam the paint on the lookout for cleanups and offensive rebounds. He doesn’t have a jumpshot which limits him, however he’s a keen passer as Queta averaged 2.5 assists for the Stockton Kings final season.
On protection, Queta will contest every thing on the rim. The Portuguese man completed the G League fourth in blocks per recreation.
Queta gained’t discover himself on the parquet instantly, but when the frontcourt can’t keep wholesome, Queta could also be one of many choices Joe Mazzulla will look to for transient stints all through video games.
Even when neither of those gamers performs an enormous function in Boston, they are going to be enjoyable to observe in Maine. Between the pace and directness of Davison, the scoring potential of Scrubb, and the presence and dominance within the paint of Queta, the Maine Celtics have a trio of gamers that may make them one of many higher groups within the G-League this yr.
