‘Wasn’t a whole lot’ Boston Celtics F that rival stole in free agency showcased

Ex-Boston Celtics forward Justin Champagnie — who was just signed away by the Miami Heat to a training camp contract — didn’t have much to showcase during the 2022-23 season according to NESN’s Gio Rivera.

“There wasn’t a whole lot Champagnie showcased amid Year 2 of NBA action, albeit limited to just five games and 34 minutes of total playing time,” Rivera wrote. “He averaged 2.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.8 assists while shooting 33.3% shooting from the field.”

As Rivera points out, Champagnie scored two points in a little over a combined 10 minutes and had 15 missed games during the time he was signed by the Celtics.

Justin Champagnie compared to former Boston Celtics forward who became a starter in Miami

The Champagnie signing is one Boston Celtics fans should wince at a bit considering the history of the Heat’s front office stealing away what the Cs toss out on the scrap heap. Let us not forget Max Strus’ ascension to a $64 million man after Miami made him a starter. Celtics Wire’s Justin Quinn made the inevitable comparison.

“(Cutting Champignie) left the Celtics with two open full-time roster spots along with their open third two way roster spot while saving Boston some cash in a season they will edge very close to the new collective bargaining agreement’s dreaded second apron,” Quinn prefaced before saying, “Whether it will be yet another move that comes back to haunt them in the future as the choice to move on from Strus did, however, can only be determined with time.”

With the Heat being the biggest thorn in the side of the Celtics dating back 12 years, Boston losing a free agent to them, even as one is seemingly inconsequential as Champagnie on a training camp deal, is not the kind of transaction you want to see at any point in free agency. It happened, though, and it’s on the Cs to overcome when the time comes.