Boston Celtics sign Ukranian shooting guard to one-year deal
By Noa Dalzell
The Boston Celtics have signed Ukranian sharpshooter Svi Mykhauliuk to a one-year contract. Most known for his three-point shooting, it’s unlikely Svi will get significant minutes in the Celtics rotation, but does he serve as a solid end-of-bench piece that should fit well into the Mazulla Ball Celtics offense.
Free agent Svi Mykhailiuk has agreed to a one-year deal with the Boston Celtics, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 31, 2023
Svi Mykhailiuk grew up in Ukraine and played four years at the University of Kansas before being drafted by the Lakers in 2018 with the 47th pick. Since then, the 6’7 wing has become a bit of an NBA journeyman, enjoying brief stints with Detroit, Oklahoma City, Toronto, New York, and Charlotte.
Last year, he was traded to the Hornet midseason as part of the four-team trade that brought Josh Hart to the Knicks. He averaged 10.6 points per game in 22.5 minutes in Charlotte across 19 games.
Svi’s most significant previous stint was with Detroit, where he played in 95 games from 2019-2021, including 33 starts. He was also a member of the Ukrainian National Team that played in the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Reports had previously indicated a Greek club was interested in signing Mykhailiuk.
In his career, Svi has shot 40.4% from the field and 36% from three-point range, averaging 6.6 points per game in 16.7 minutes of action. He joins a Celtics bench unit that includes Malcolm Brogdon, Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard, Jordan Walsh, Oshae Brissett, and Dalano Banton. Cracking that rotation could prove challenging, particularly because he plays a similar role as Hauser.
Svi Mykhauliuk was on the Boston Celtics’ free-agent radar
Over the past few weeks, reports surfaced that the Boston Celtics were working out several wing players, including Lamar Stevens, TJ Warren, Glen Robinson III, and Louis King. It’s likely Svi edged out these players for this roster spot due to his knockdown shooting abilities.
Svi Mykhailiuk scored 26-points on five made 3’s and had five assists vs the Raptors last season. #Celtics pic.twitter.com/NRFRcbpzlN
— The Celtics Files (@CelticsFiles) August 31, 2023
In his last five games last season, Svi scored 16, 25, 17, 26, and 16 points, respectively. The Celtics will certainly hope that the offensive production will carry into this season.