Analyst could absolutely see role for non-guaranteed Boston Celtics signee

Notable independent YouTube highlight tape-maker Tomek Kordylewski could “absolutely see” a role for sharpshooting non-guaranteed Boston Celtics signee Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, tweeting as much following a valiant 114-107 preseason loss to the New York Knicks with the entire C’s starting lineup sitting.

“I could absolutely see Svi Mykhailiuk having a role off the bench for the Boston Celtics next season,” Kordylewski wrote in an X post. “Like his athleticism and energy.”

Mykhailiuk shot 5/9 overall and 3/7 from behind the 3-point line in 20 minutes with a +4 BPM; good for second on the team behind projected fan-favorite two-way contract-holder Neemias Queta.

Rise of Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk could be bad news for fellow Boston Celtics sharpshooter Sam Hauser

The rise of Mykhailiuk could spell the beginning of the end for Sam Hauser’s stint with the Boston Celtics. While Hauser was part of the team’s run to the 2022 Finals and played a far bigger role for the 2023 team that fell short in the Eastern Conference Finals, his presence on the roster could lead to complacency considering his lack of progress.

In aggressively re-shaping his roster, President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens has made it clear that anyone but Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and to a degree, Al Horford, can be had at the right price; aka anything that improves Boston’s Banner 18 odds. Hauser hasn’t tangibly moved the needle since the early part of the 2022-23 season and was actively hurting the Cs in their second preseason game at MSG against the Knicks.

Mykhailiuk has to earn his keep in 2023-24, whereas Hauser has another guaranteed season after this one. The odds are high that Mykhailiuk will outperform the Virginia product as he looks to earn his keep.

It was in the back of everyone’s minds heading into the preseason, but now it’s at the forefront: Mykhailiuk is coming for Hauser’s role — and he may get it.