The Boston Celtics have waived rookie RJ Luis Jr., according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Luis joined the Celtics in the Georges Niang trade earlier this summer, as they dumped Niang’s salary in an effort to dip below the second apron. Since Luis was on a two-way contract, they saved virtually all of the money they were paying Niang.
Now, things could get very interesting as the regular season inches closer. Boston has an open two-way spot, as rookies Max Shulga and Amari Williams are taking up the other two. They have a bunch of players on the training camp roster who could fight for the third and final two-way.
The question is, who will land the spot?
Which Celtics player will get two-way contract?
Luis joined the Celtics after three years of college ball. He spent his freshman year at UMASS Amherst before transferring to St. John’s, where he enjoyed two successful seasons.
Unfortunately, the Celtics decided to go their separate ways, making it seem like their decision to trade for him was almost purely financial, as they were looking to dump Niang’s contract.
Now, the rest of the Celtics’ Exhibit 9 and 10 guys could be fighting for the spot that just opened up.
Ron Harper Jr. seems like a frontrunner to land the spot, based on the way the preseason has gone thus far. He’s been the first non-rostered player in the game in most of Boston’s preseason contests, getting onto the floor before even Shulga and Williams.
This is his second go-around in the Celtics’ organization, as he spent some time up in Maine at the beginning of the 2024-25 season before inking a two-way deal with the Detroit Pistons. He’s a solid scorer and lanky defender who’s shown signs of improving his outside shot.
Kendall Brown could also be a candidate to sign a two-way deal. He spent some time with the Indiana Pacers before joining Boston, but spent last year in the G League. His athleticism and cutting could stand out.
Jalen Bridges’ three-point shot could help him push for the two-way spot, and Wendell Moore Jr. has looked solid at times, too.
That said, it seems like Harper Jr. has a noticeable leg up on Brown, Bridges, and Moore, especially since the Celtics clearly liked him enough to bring him back in the ecosystem.
The spot is still anyone’s to win, and the rest of training camp will undoubtedly play a huge part in Boston deciding who to give it to.