LAS VEGAS — Hayden Gray, who made his Boston Celtics Summer League debut (at least, his debut in real minutes) on Sunday night, got a steal just 32 seconds after he checked into the game against the Atlanta Hawks. Gray led the nation in steals last season while playing for UC San Diego, and it didn’t take him long at all to live up to his reputation.
A few minutes after his first steal, with roughly 1:30 to play, Gray grabbed his second steal of the game (and the first quarter). His knack for tracking the ball is otherworldly, and though most Boston fans likely weren’t tuned in to UC San Diego games last season, those who watched Summer League now understand Gray’s game and why the Celtics signed him to their Vegas roster.
He’s a very unique defensive talent.
Can Hayden Gray actually help the Celtics?
This is where things get sticky. The Celtics don’t have any two-way spots available (at least in theory). Miles Norris is still occupying one of those slots, and second-round rookies Amari Williams and Max Shulga are the top candidates to fill the other two slots. Mike Zarren said as much earlier in July.
That said, the Celtics will have to fill out Maine’s roster heading into next season, as most of the guys who were on the team last year won’t be back.
Just to name a few, James Banks III and DJ Rodman were on the Charlotte Hornets’ Summer League team, and Hason Ward played for the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas. That’s a fairly good indicator as to where their heads are at.
On top of that, and more significantly, both JD Davison and Drew Peterson will be gone next season. Barring the unexpected, Davison’s graduation from a two-way contract to a standard deal likely means he’s done with Maine. Meanwhile, Peterson recently signed a two-way contract with the Hornets.
That could leave an opening for Gray to step in and play w role in Maine, should he decide to stick around with the Celtics in the G League.
In his final season at UC San Diego, the 22-year-old averaged 11.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 3.1 steals while shooting 47.9% from the floor and 41.8% from beyond the three-point arc.
Gray’s three-point shot saw a massive improvement in his final season with the Tritons, and if he wants to contribute in Maine, that will be key.
He has a lot more work to do if he wants to earn that opportunity, though.