Justin Champagnie, who played just two games with the Boston Celtics in 2022-23, is crossing enemy lines next season.
Champagnie agreed to a contract with the Eastern Conference rival Miami Heat on Friday, per team announcement, along with five other additions
finalized. The 22-year-old was initially set to earn $50,000 in guaranteed money if he remained on Boston’s roster just before the Celtics released
Champagnie less than two weeks ago.
Miami reportedly landed Champagnie on an Exhibit 10 contract, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. That means the Heat are on the
hook for a veteran’s minimum salary through one season with the flexibility to shift it to a two-way deal before Opening Night in October — rumored
to (ironically) be against the Celtics in Boston.
There wasn’t a whole lot Champagnie showcased amid Year 2 of NBA action, albeit limited to just five games and 34 minutes of total playing time. He
averaged 2.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.8 assists while shooting 33.3% shooting from the field.
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Along for the ride through Boston’s playoff run, Champagnie scored two points in a little over a combined 10 minutes, registering 15 DNPs.
Champagnie went undrafted in 2021, but got his first break after the Raptors signed him to a two-way contract before waiving him in December.
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Boston Celtics’ schedule leak gives them a golden opportunity
It’s schedule leak season in the NBA, as we are less than one week away from the official schedule release. Although the Boston Celtics will not be
playing on opening night, they will have an exciting matchup in the first week of the season.
There have been reports that the Celtics will host the Miami Heat in an Eastern Conference Finals rematch on October 27, the first Friday of the
regular season.
The news is awesome because it gives the Boston Celtics a golden opportunity to send a message in the first week of the season.
Getting revenge on the Heat for what happened in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals would be amazing for the Cs. After Jayson Tatum injured
his ankle in the opening minutes of Game 7, the Celtics fell apart and were embarrassed in a 103-84 loss on their home floor. Hosting the Heat in the
first week of the season will give the Celtics a chance to conquer their demons from that heartbreaking loss.
There are also rumors that the game could be the opener for the Celtics. What better way to start the season than for the Celtics to get some sweet
revenge on the Heat? The Celtics have an opportunity to send a message to the Heat that this season will be different.
Also, the Celtics will be able to see how new addition Kristaps Porzingis looks against the Heat. There are people out there who believe that one of the
reasons the Cs acquired Kristaps Porzingis was to combat the zone that the Heat employed. The Celtics will be able to get an early look at how
important their new addition will be to beat the Heat zone that has given them nightmares over the years.
Ultimately, it will be interesting to see how the matchup goes for the Celtics and whether or not they send a message.
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