With Nathan Knight being waived, the Boston Celtics now have an open two-way spot. JD Davison and Neemias Queta fill up two, but the Celtics could look to add a third guy in order to maximize their developmental system, which has churned out some solid prospects over the past few years.
The G League season is fully underway, and it’s full of unsigned players who are undoubtedly eager to get their chance to make it in the NBA.
Here are a few names to keep an eye on as the Celtics search for a new two-way guy, as all of these players have been performing well in the G League thus far:
***All stats are as of Tuesday, December 12
Scottie Pippen Jr.
23 y/o | G | 6-foot-1 | South Bay Lakers
Stats: 21.5 PTS, 4.7 REB, 5.8 AST, 2.1 STL, 0.9 BLK, 50.6% FG, 38.6% 3PT
The guard has made strides this season, as his efficiency is up across the board from his first season in the G League. A quality defensive point guard, Pippen Jr. could provide some healthy competition for JD Davison on the Maine Celtics, as well as a nice change of pace on the defensive end.
David Duke Jr.
24 y/o| G | 6-foot-4 | Delaware Blue Coats
Stats: 21.5 PTS, 5.5 REB, 3.7 AST, 0.9 STL, 0.4 BLK, 42.6% FG, 38.8% 3PT
Duke has been a solid contributor within the Brooklyn Nets’ system for the past two years but, like Pippen Jr., was not picked up on a two-way deal with them this year. He’s been solid in the G League and could be another quality all-around offensive option for the Celtics to develop. He’s also somewhat of a local, hailing from Providence, Rhode Island, and attending Providence College.
Justin Champagnie
22 y/o | F | 6-foot-8 | Sioux Fall Skyforce
Stats: 21.8 PTS, 9.8 REB, 2.4 AST, 2.3 STL, 1.3 BLK, 48.6% FG, 19.0% 3PT
After spending the latter portion of last season, as well as Summer League, with the Celtics, Champagnie was picked up by the Miami Heat to play for their G League squad. He’s a great rebounder for his position, and he drives the ball well, but his three-point shooting continues to be subpar.
Ethan Thompson
24 y/o | G | 6-foot-5 | Mexico City Capitanes
Stats: 20.1 PTS, 5.1 REB, 3.5 AST, 1.3 STL, 0.6 BLK, 45.5% FG, 39.4% 3PT
Another guard with solid size, Thompson spent two years with the Windy City Bulls before joining the Mexico City Capitanes this year. His shooting has steadily improved in each of the three seasons he’s spent in the G League.
Hunter Maldonado
24 y/o| G | 6-foot-6 | Oklahoma City Blue
Stats: 15.9 PTS, 4.6 REB, 5.1 AST, 0.9 STL, 51.5% FG, 45.5% 3PT
Maldanado, primarily a two-guard, spent six years in college with Wyoming before joining the Oklahoma City Thunder’s G League team this year. He wasn’t a consistent three-point shooter in college, but he’s shown improvement this year. At his size, Maldanado prefers to work inside the arc.
Jahmi’us Ramsey
22 y/o | G | 6-foot-3 | Oklahoma City Blue
Stats: 17.4 PTS, 7.0 REB, 3.1 AST, 0.8 STL, 0.4 BLK, 48.5% FG, 39.5% 3PT
Ramsey spent a couple of seasons with the Sacramento Kings to start his career but now plays for the Blue in the G League. He’s an athletic guard who gets up on the boards. Coming into the league, Ramsey was heralded for his isolation scorer, and his three-point efficiency has taken a massive leap this year.
Maozinha Pereira
23 y/o | F | 6-foot-8 | Mexico City Capitanes
Stats: 13.8 PTS, 10.9 REB, 1.5 AST, 1.3 STL, 1.9 BLK, 66.7% FG
A non-shooter, Pereira makes his impact in and around the paint for the Mexico City Capitanes. He utilizes impressive athleticism to thrive off cuts, dunks, and drives. In addition, his defensive instincts are solid, as he’s able to consistently make an impact at the rim and cut off passing lanes. That said, he’s a bit undersized for the center position, and he can’t shoot, so the Celtics would have to find unique ways to use him, even if it were just in a developmental role.
Jordan Schakel
25 y/o | G | 6-foot-6 | Maine Celtics
Stats: 13.5 PTS, 5.1 REB, 1.4 AST, 0.7 STL, 44.9% FG, 42.9% 3PT
Schakel joined the Maine Celtics this summer. The 25-year-old is a pure sharpshooter who has consistently been one of the best high-volume shooters in the G League. There are some questions defensively, but if the Celtics are looking to develop another three-point specialist, a la Sam Hauser, Schakel could be an obvious, in-house option.
DJ Steward
22/yo | G | 6-foot-2 | Maine Celtics
Stats: 19.2 PTS, 6.1 REB, 6.1 AST, 0.9 STL, 47.5% FG, 33.8% 3PT
Steward seemed to be in line for a two-way spot with the Celtics before Knight became available. He made it far with the team in training camp, so familiarity could play a factor. He’s not the best on defense due to his size, and he needs to improve on his decision-making a bit, but he’s got a pretty fluid game at the guard position.l
Miye Oni
26 y/o | G | 6-foot-5 | Osceola Magic
Stats: 13.8 PTS, 6.2 REB, 4.2 AST, 1.0 STl, 0.4 BLK, 42.5% FG, 45.2% 3PT
Having spent three years with the Utah Jazz, Miye Oni fits the bill of a relatively experienced player the Celtics could look to give a second chance. He also spent thee years at Yale, so he’s been playing at a high level for years. He’s got good size for a guard and could be an intriguing blend of untapped potential and experience.
Aleem Ford
25 y/o | F | 6-foot-8 | Cleveland Charge
Stats: 10.7 PTS, 6.9 REB, 1.4 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.8 BLK, 43.8% FG, 39.3% 3PT
Though he wasn’t an elite three-point shooter in college at Wisconsin, Ford has shot it well from distance this year on 6.8 attempts per game. It’s his third year in the G League, as he spent his first two years with the South Bay Lakers. His athletic ability has shone through at all levels, and if his three-point shooting fully comes around, he could be an intriguing 3-and-D developmental piece.
Mouhamadou Gueye
25 y/o | 6-foot-9 | Raptors 905
Stats: 15.6 PTS, 8.3 REB, 1.6 AST, 3.0 BLK, 60.0% FG, 25.0% 3PT
Though he’s a bit undersized, Gueye’s athleticism helps him around the rim, as he’s currently tied for third in the G League in blocks per game. His three-point shot is lagging behind a bit, but he’s still taking 1.8 per game. If the Celtics are looking to replace Knight with another big man, Gueye’s game could fit the bill.
