The Boston Celtics reportedly won’t have competition for sharpshooting wing Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk from the Los Angeles Lakers — with Lake Show Life’s Jason Reed claiming that it’s “safe to say” that the Lakers aren’t calling the Ukrainian ex-second-round draft pick this offseason in pursuit of a reunion.
“Reuniting with former Laker Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk would be a solid move by the (Lakers) but instead, Mykhailiuk is reportedly choosing between the rivaled Boston Celtics and playing in Greece,” Reed prefaced before saying, “If Myhailiuk is choosing between the Celtics and playing in Greece then it is probably safe to say that the Lakers are not calling his agent looking to sign him. And while he might not fit the center need, Mykhailiuk would still bring value to Los Angeles.”
Mykhailiuk was a rotation piece on the original LeBron James-led Lakers but was traded midway through his rookie season along with a second-round pick by Los Angeles to the Detroit Pistons for Reggie Bullock. During the 2022-23 season, Mykhailiuk split his time between the New York Knicks for 13 games and the Charlotte Hornets for 19 games; shooting 42% from beyond the arc in over three shots per game.
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk choosing between Boston Celtics and Panathinaikos
Per a tweet from the Euroleague Basketbolu account, Mykhailiuk is choosing between the Boston Celtics and Panathinaikos of Super League Greece.
Svi Mykhailiuk, Boston Celtics'ten teklif aldı. Mykhailiuk yakında kararını verecek eğer avrupa'ya dönmeyi seçerse Panathinaikos'la sözleşme imzalayacak. (@SDNAGr) pic.twitter.com/qi060q86jJ
— Euroleague Basketbolu (@EBasketbolu) August 2, 2023
“Svi Mykhailiuk received an offer from the Boston Celtics,” read an aggregated tweet from the Euroleague Basketbolu account. “Mykhailiuk will make up his mind soon if he chooses to return to Europe he will sign with Panathinaikos.”
Mykhailiuk would most likely be offered a veteran’s minimum deal, though the Cs do have the taxpayer’s mid-level exception to offer any free agent ahead of the 2023-24 season. It should be noted that Mykhailiuk has never made more than $2 million in any given season. Boston has two open roster spots as of this writing.