2 major plot twists could shake up Celtics' two-way roster battle

The Boston Celtics have yet to sign this year's second-round pick, Dillon Mitchell. While impressing in Summer League, the former St. John's captain spoke with Hardwood Houdini in an exclusive interview, giving his new fan base a chance to get to know him.

The combination of Mitchell's athleticism and upside, paired with the Celtics' elite player development program, made him Boston's desired target on day 2 of the NBA Draft.

After his strong showing in Sin City, which included demonstrating an already-improved jump shot, he may have played his way out of the battle for a two-way roster spot.

As the Third Apron noted after Dalano Banton got waived, there is enough room under the luxury tax to sign the six-foot-eight wing at a rookie minimum salary to fill their 15th and final roster vacancy.

Mitchell joining the C's on a standard NBA contract is a development to watch for. There could also be another plot twist in the fight for two-way deals with the league's original monarchy.

What does the future hold for Amari Williams?

The former Kentucky standout left a mixed impression from his performance in Las Vegas. That could lead to his exit from Boston's two-way roster battle.

On one hand, he appeared more confident and comfortable out there. It's a maturation that could one day lead to his operating with the necessary level of assertiveness.

Playing with that aggression is the determining factor in whether his future is in the NBA or overseas.

On a positive note, Williams was a calming presence for his teammates, acting as an offensive hub who could create for others with his passing. On a sour note, his defense against the pick-and-roll left a lot to be desired. It just felt like he wasn't processing fast enough to contain the threat of the ball-handler attacking downhill.

It's difficult to neutralize that danger without conceding a lob to the screener who is now rolling to the basket. However, it is a crucial part of a center's job on defense. It's an area where the seven-footer from the UK must improve.

Leaving Las Vegas with only two field goal attempts in the Celtics' Summer League finale against the Orlando Magic was also a disappointing last impression.

Others, including Jordan Walsh, have gone from leaving one wanting to see more from them at this July exhibition to making a career-changing leap. Williams could do the same.

However, he'll enter training camp with a need to prove worthy of his two-way roster spot. Otherwise, he could find himself let go to make room for another.

Two Celtics who put themselves in a position for a two-way deal

John Tonje went to Summer League without the promise of anything more from Boston. He knows he will have to earn another two-way contract with the organization.

Fortunately, he is an extremely confident individual.

In particular, Tonje's play at the offensive end of the floor exudes that confidence. He can be a microwave scorer. The 25-year-old wing is a good shooter with the ability to get to and finish at the rim.

His effort during this stay in the desert also earned rave reviews from Amile Jefferson, his head coach in Sin City.

"The thing you want as a coach is dependability. You want guys that you know what you're going to get from them, and for me, that's exactly what he's been. And then the one thing that I just want to praise him on is how hard he's playing," voiced Jefferson, who has the makings of a future NBA bench boss.

"This dude, you know, we're trying to make people's dreams come true and help them in their journey, and he's one of the guys I'm most proud of, because he wants to make it. And when a guy wants to make it, and when a guy wants to be in the NBA, that's how you look. Like, if somebody wants to know how hard it is to be in the NBA, you go see how good he is. And he's given himself a really good chance. I think he is definitely an NBA player."

Along with his professionalism, Tonje believes he grew the most on defense while at Summer League.

It's the type of development that will help his case to stick around. The former Wisconsin star is certainly good enough to be an NBA player, especially on a two-way deal. Knowing what he can bring to the table as a scorer, this author believes he will remain with the franchise in that capacity.

The other individual whose performance at this July showcase put them in a position to earn a two-way deal with Boston was an undrafted rookie free agent.

Will Milos Uzan get a two-way contract with the Celtics?

This author believes he will. The former Houston Cougar is a reliable ball-handler; the team could trust him to keep the offense organized, and he's a good defender.

It's a message he repeatedly heard from his collegiate head coach, the venerable Kelvin Sampson, who also helped mold Boston's first-round pick Chris Cenac Jr.

"He teaches us defensively, like you can't be on the floor if you can't defend, and I think that translates at the next level as well," shared Uzan after a Summer League win over the Sacramento Kings. "So, I think that's probably one of the main things he's taught me in my past two years over there."

Uzan also demonstrated that he's a reliable three-point shooter. In five appearances in Las Vegas, he converted on 36.8 percent of his 3.8 attempts from behind the arc. That is in line with how he fared in college. In his four years in the NCAA, he knocked down 36.4 percent of his 3.8 tries.

There is a lot to like about the six-foot-four guard, who even rebounds well for his position. It's also a way for the Celtics to add another layer of guard depth. It's another reason that compels this author to project Uzan to fill one of Boston's two-way slots.

An external candidate could join the Celtics on a two-way deal

There are no specific names in mind. However, last year, Ron Harper Jr. returned after a stint with the Detroit Pistons. He went on to earn a two-way pact and is now on a multi-year contract with the C's.

Someone who wasn't with Boston at Summer League, once again arriving and claiming a two-way spot, is a distinct possibility.

Outside of that, Tucker DeVries is as good a bet as any internal candidate. Like with Uzan, he will arrive at training camp at the Auerbach Center on an Exhibit 10 deal.

However, while the six-foot-seven wing brings size and shooting, from this vantage point, it's more likely he's exclusively on Maine's roster, rather than on a two-way arrangement.

Instead, the favorites to fill those three vacancies are Tonje, Williams, and Uzan. There's also the threat of an external candidate unseating -- most likely, Williams or Uzan. Meanwhile, Dillon Mitchell has already displayed enough to suggest the odds of him occupying the Celtics' 15th roster spot may now be higher than him joining Boston on a two-way deal.

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