Boston Celtics: 3 likely players to be cut after preseason

With the Boston Celtics seeing their preseason come to a close after taking on the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 14, they have some decisions to make before the regular season starts. The roster currently stands at 18 players, not including guard JD Davison and center Mfiondu Kabengele, who are on two-way contracts.

As some players played well to the point where they will be on the roster for the Celtics’ season-opener against the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 18, some of them will not make the cut.

We at the Houdini feel these are three players who will likely be waived from the roster after the preseason.

Player No. 1 the Boston Celtics will likely cut: Justin Jackson

The most difficult cut for the Boston Celtics will most likely be forward Justin Jackson. After struggling in the first two games of the preseason, Jackson went off for a 16-point performance on 6-14 shooting from the field including four three-pointers against the Charlotte Hornets.

Jackson has been a journeyman, playing for six teams across five seasons since he entered the league in 2017. He currently has career averages of 6.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists on 42.6 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from beyond the arc. Should the Celtics cut him, Jackson will definitely be sought after as a wing option off the bench who can defend players with his length and make shots from the perimeter.

Player No. 2 the Boston Celtics will likely cut: Brodric Thomas

Making cuts at the end of the rotation become simpler after Justin Jackson, as guard Brodric Thomas comes next on the list.

So far this preseason, Thomas put up four points, eight rebounds, and four assists in 33 minutes of action.

In two seasons, Thomas averaged 3.3 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 44 games with the Houston Rockets, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Celtics.

To have a spot on an NBA roster, Thomas needs to have better shot selection. He is shooting 37.3 percent from the field and 26.5 percent from three so far in his career, so refining his jumper should be his main priority to have himself be more involved in the offense.

Player No. 3 the Boston Celtics will likely cut: Luka Samanic

*As of this writing Luka Samanic has been waived by the team

Unfortunately for the Boston Celtics, not every player named Luka is going to be a diamond in the rough.

NBA reporter Jared Weiss recently announced the Celtics decided to waive Luka Samanic, who was on a training camp deal. In the meantime, he will play for the Maine Celtics, Boston’s team in the G League.

Samanic was unable to make an impression off the bench after two cameos, only getting two points and five rebounds in the nine minutes he played.

Despite this, the 22-year old center still has plenty of time to continue developing as a player. While serving a bench role with the San Antonio Spurs from 2019 to 2021, he averaged 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in 36 appearances.

He should continue to improve his shot from the perimeter. A career 29.4 percent shooter from deep, he has a chance to be a big man who can help stretch the floor with him knocking down the occasional three-pointer.