The Celtics signed forward Nathan Knight to a two-way deal on Sunday and dismissed two-way guard Jay Scrubb, who tore his ACL at the outset of training camp.
“Had conversations with [president of basketball operations] Brad Stevens and [coach Joe] Mazzulla and they were willing to give me an opportunity to come here, put in work for them, and do what I can to contribute to the organization,” Knight told ESPN. “I’m just happy to be here.”
Knight, 26, signed a two-way contract with the Hawks in 2020 as an undrafted free agent. He signed a two-way contract with the Timberwolves the next year, and he may have piqued the Celtics’ interest for the 2021-22 season. Knight scored a career-high 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Minnesota’s 108-103 win over Boston on December 27, 2021.
Prior to previous season, he signed a standard deal with Minnesota and averaged 3.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 37 games. Knight signed a two-way contract with the Knicks in July. New York released him last week.
“The business can be treacherous, and opportunities are slim, so just being able to take advantage of those when they come and just going out there and doing whatever my organization needs me to do,” Knight went on to say. “If I have to be the cheerleader, I’ll be the best we have.” Simply going out there and doing anything I can to help my team win games.”
Guard JD Davison and big man Neemias Queta have filled the other two-way spots for the Celtics. Wenyen Gabriel, a forward, was released last week. According to a league source, the team will likely start the season with 14 guaranteed players. Queta performed well in preseason, but the Celtics do not intend to convert his two-way contract, according to a source.
Knight’s addition completes the roster for Wednesday night’s season opener against the Knicks in New York.
“The times we played against him, especially in Minnesota, he’s had good games against us because of his energy, his communication, his ability to offensive rebound, and he can make an open shot,” Mazzulla said in a statement. “So, any time you have a guy like that in your organization, it’s good.”
The starting lineup is yet to be determined.
The starting lineup for the Celtics’ first game remains unknown.
Boston has played two preseason games with its complete roster, with Jrue Holiday and Al Horford each appearing once off the bench. However, Mazzulla hinted on Sunday that the starting five will be a revolving cast.
“I guarantee you by like 20 or 30 games you won’t be asking anymore,” Mazzulla went on to say, “because we’ll have so many different ones.”
One of the roster’s assets, according to Mazzulla, is its ability to switch between large and small groups.
“I think the main thing is just all of us have to be open-minded and flexible to be able to take advantage of matchups on both sides of the floor and what gives us the best chance to win,” he told reporters.
Rondo is still on the scene.
Rajon Rondo, a former Celtics point guard, attended his second consecutive practice as a team guest. Following that, he spent some time training with the team’s younger players.
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