According to Noa Dalzell of CelticsBlog, the Boston Celtics have signed Wendell Moore Jr., rounding out their training camp roster. Moore began his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves but spent last season with the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets.
Still just 24 years old, Moore earned his most significant opportunities at the G League level in his first two seasons. Through his first three years of NBA action, Moore has only appeared in 90 games, playing just 8.1 minutes per contest. Detroit waived him in February, and he wrapped up the season in Charlotte (but only played 16 games with the Hornets).
Now, he’ll try to keep his NBA career alive in Boston.
How could Wendell Moore Jr. help the Celtics?
Despite the Celtics’ revolving roster this summer, Moore will be fighting an uphill battle to crack the Celtics’ roster. His deal is almost certainly an Exhibit 10 (or 9) contract, which would pave the way for him to join the Maine Celtics in the G League next season.
Moore didn’t spend any time in the G League last year, but during the 2023-24 campaign, he appeared in 16 games for the Iowa Wolves, playing 36.4 minutes per contest. He averaged 16.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 35.7% from the field and 30.4% from distance.
The 6-foot-5 wing hasn’t been able to stick at any of his landing spots yet. Despite his solid length and decent pressure on the defensive end, his lack of a consistent three-point shot has significantly held him back.
Even if Moore were to impress the Celtics, there are far too many wings ahead of him in Joe Mazzulla’s potential rotation, especially considering their need to develop young talent.
Baylor Scheierman looks like a real rotation piece heading into next season, and Jordan Walsh should earn additional opportunities, too. Boston also signed Josh Minott this summer.
Rookie Hugo Gonzalez will likely be on the outside looking in of the rotation, but even he may get some spot minutes. And all of that is without factoring in Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, and Chris Boucher, all of whom will probably get heavy minutes at the three and four.
However, Moore should be set up perfectly to slot into Maine’s rotation next season. That is, unless he finds another landing spot somewhere else in the NBA (or overseas).
Still, getting a look at a former first-round pick isn’t a terrible idea for the Celtics.