Boston Celtics: Overperforming 2019 first-round pick unlikely to have deal guaranteed

MassLive’s Brian Robb poured water on Boston Celtics fans who were hoping to see Mfiondu Kabengele’s salary guaranteed before the start of the 2022-23 season — shutting down the idea in his latest Boston Celtics Mailbag on October 7.

Kabengele was out of the lineup during the C’s 112-103 victory over the Hornets Friday night, their second win against Charlotte this preseason. In his absence, Noah Vonleh started and amassed 14 points, 13 rebounds, and two assists during 31 minutes of floor time. His last appearance against the Toronto Raptors on October 5 saw him make a pair of field goal attempts from inside the arc, miss his two 3-point attempts, and dish an assist in 13 minutes without collecting a single rebound. During the 134-93 preseason opening destruction of Charlotte, Kabengele shot 4/4, good for 10 points and three boards.

When a reader asked Robb in his weekly mailbag whether or not the Boston Celtics have a spot for Luka Šamanić on the roster, his answer included some insight on where the team might be on Kabengele.

Here was Robb’s update on the 2019 NBA Draft’s No. 27 pick, one drafted by the Brooklyn Nets before being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for a future first-round pick in the 2020 NBA draft and the draft rights to the 56th pick of the 2019 NBA draft, Jaylen Hands:

"“I think Maine is the best bet for (Luka Šamanić). (JD) Davidson and Kabengele are already locked up on two-way deals and I don’t see Kabengele getting bumped up to a 15-man roster spot just yet.”"

Why the Boston Celtics likely won’t sign Luka Šamanić

Luka Šamanić was the low minutes-getter during the C’s third exhibition matchup against the Hornets in Charlotte on October 7, likely indicating an imminent cut from the pro team before the Croatian big man is offered a deal to play for Alex Barlow and the Maine Celtics in the G-League.

In his Boston Celtics Mailbag, MassLive’s Brian Robb revealed why he believes the team isn’t going to sign Šamanić to the pro roster anytime soon:

"“Samanic has been one of the last guys in the game so I don’t think he has a realistically chance of making the roster at this point after the Blake Griffin signing.”"

Blake Griffin shot poorly in his first appearance for Boston, going just 1/6 overall and 1/4 from beyond the 3-point line. He finished as a +8 with nine rebounds, two assists, and two turnovers in 16 minutes.