The Boston Celtics’ remaining free agency plans are encouraging to say the least — with MassLive’s Souichi Terada believing that the front office will
continue to hunt for “intriguing names” for their two-way contract slot.
“Expect the Celtics to sign at least a few more intriguing names in the coming weeks ahead of camp considering they have an open two-way slot,”
Terada wrote.
With the NBA’s salary cap exploding this summer with a new CBA kicking into effect, the top earners — like Jaylen Brown and, in due time, Jayson
Tatum — are left making exorbitant salaries while many veterans that used to be eligible for a portion of the MLE will now be forced to accept
veteran’s minimum deals and, perhaps, even two-way contracts. Boston trading for and extending Kristaps Porzingis was the definition of a win-now
move, so the time for Brad Stevens and Co. to hunt for ring-chasing vets is now. Take that chance on a formerly top-tier star who has hit hard times
with injuries, Brad.
DJ Steward is now part of the Boston Celtics’ race for the final two-way spot
Given that the Cs already signed a former Los Angeles Clipper and their 2022 second-rounder to the first pair of two-contract spots, recent signee DJ
Steward, a former Duke guard and five-star recruit, could compete for the last spot. As Terada writes, Steward “should be part of the race.”
“The Celtics have already signed Jay Scrubb and JD Davison to two-way slots,” Terada prefaced before saying, “But new NBA rules allow up to three
two-way signees, meaning the Celtics have some options come training camp. Steward should be part of that race, though it remains to be seen who
else the C’s bring into camp.”
A major veteran name or a proven commodity in the G-League would be appreciated for one of those spots, but Steward has the pedigree of a player
who could tap into his potential and prove to be good enough for Joe Mazzulla’s rotation.
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3 Boston Celtics players who deserve a better rating in NBA 2K24
In the midst of fans waiting for the regular season schedule release, 2K released its ratings for its newest NBA game which will officially be available
for purchase on September 8, 2024. In honor of the Los Angeles Lakers legend, 2K will have Kobe Bryant on two editions of the game including a
“Black Mamba Edition.” This only means it is time to overreact to the ratings on a video game throughout the Boston Celtics roster. Though it is all
meaningless, it is always intriguing to discuss it. Some are fair while others could use some improvements based on how each individual performed
last season during the Celts’ Eastern Conference Finals run.
Joe Mazzulla’s team is tied with the Phoenix Suns for the highest-rated team in the game at an 84, ahead of four teams with an 83 overall team
rating. Jayson Tatum is the sixth highest-rated front-court player in the game with a solid rating of 95. That is a two-point jump from where he was
according to the game last season. His partner in crime, Jaylen Brown saw the same amount of increase from his rating at the beginning of the 2K23
game, beginning 2K24 with a 89.
Most of the roster’s ratings are understandable, but what about the ones up for debate? Here are three Celts that are much better than what NBA 2K
has displayed.
3 Boston Celtics players who were robbed with their 2K ratings this year
1. Derrick White
NBA 2K24 rating: 80
The new C’s starting point guard, Derrick White was one of just 10 players during the 2022-2023 season that contributed in every game. Based on
what he was given by 2K, his reliability was not taken into consideration.
Whenever Mazzulla put the Colorado product on the floor, he knew what he was getting. An aggressive offensive threat with high-level discipline
without the ball. Only Al Horford and Robert Williams III amassed more contested shots per game than White. His versatility on the defensive end
earned him his first All-Defensive team shout. Even with career-highs in points, rebounds, steals, assists, and blocks per game, White only received
an 80, one point higher from where he started 2K23.
The most glaring statistic of all was his three-point percentage which jumped from under 31% in green to 38% in his first full season in the Eastern
Conference. The former San Antonio Spur, Cole Anthony, Malik Monk, and Mike Conley all have the same 2K24 rating heading into the season. His
contributions on the defensive side of things alone should bring him up to an 81. If you count an improved three-point shot, White deserves at the
bare minimum an 82.
2. Payton Pritchard
NBA 2K24 rating: 73
As of right now, the former Oregon point guard, Payton Pritchard will still be donning the green and white when it comes October. No. 11 took a dip
in almost every statistical category possible last season due to Boston’s depth at guard which led to a lack of playing time.
Heading into this past campaign, Pritchard sat at 77, a pretty reasonable average for what he has shown at the professional level so far. It is
understandable why the game chose to bring him down to a 73 given his role, but his talent level is far from that number. Who knows how a group of
people at 2K decide this single number? If it is based on the quality of the player, the Oregon native has been disrespected.
The fact that Dalano Banton begins the game at a 75 is incomprehensible. The former Raptor has not proven himself in the slightest to be able to be a
consistent role player in the association. Pritchard has. On almost every team around the league except for the top championship contenders, Fast PP
would have a role off the bench.
3. Al Horford
NBA 2K 24 rating: 80
According to the game, Al Horford is on the same level as Mason Plumlee. No disrespect to the Los Angeles Clippers big man, but that does not seem
accurate. Last time I checked, there are numerous basketball fundamentals that No. 42 is far superior at than the Clippers’ seven-footer.
The former Florida Gator is heading into his 17th professional campaign and shot over 44% from the great beyond last season. That was the highest
mark of his career since he began taking three-point shots consistently. Last year, he started at an 82, the same rating as Marcus Smart. He still
averaged a block per game in addition to dishing out three assists on average in his 63 total contests in Green last season.
Out of all of Mazzulla’s men, this is probably the last guy to play a video game on a regular basis or care about something like this. Despite that, the
37-year-old should be given much more credit for what he did for a contending team at his age.
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