Celtics move quickly to sign several Summer League standouts

On the heels of Summer League, the Boston Celtics have reportedly signed Aaron Scott and Hayden Gray. They join Sin City teammate Jalen Bridges in earning invitations to training camp at the Auerbach Center.

Bridges is the lone member of this group with NBA experience. He was with the Phoenix Suns on a two-way deal last season. However, his opportunities were minimal. The six-foot-eight forward appeared in eight games with the parent club. He averaged 1.1 points in 3.8 minutes of playing time.

At Summer League, Bridges blamed himself for the Suns' decision to move on from him after his rookie campaign.

"I don't think I was surprised," said the 24-year-old forward. "I mean, I'm very self-aware. I don't necessarily feel like I gave them reasons to keep me. I feel like I had a good season, but I know what I'm capable of, and I feel like I didn't play up to that. I didn't live up to that. So, I mean, it is what it is. It's a business, and I'm just happy for this opportunity."

The former Baylor and West Virginia star suited up in four games with the Celtics in Sin City. He averaged 8.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals.

When Boston signed him for Summer League, Bridges' deal came with a training camp invitation, according to Jay King of The Athletic. His hard-nosed defense and three-point shooting warrant roster consideration.

Given the expectation that second-round picks Amari Williams and Max Shulga join the franchise on two-way deals, that would likely require unseating Miles Norris, who is already on a two-way pact with the Celtics.

Aaron Scott maximized his Summer League opportunity

The former St. John's standout only played in two games in Las Vegas. However, Boston's victory vs. the Atlanta Hawks in their final contest there captured his ability to make an impact upon entry.

Scott snagged six offensive rebounds in the opening half. Guards, including his former college teammate, Deivon Smith, couldn't keep him from extending possessions. He also demonstrated a knack for tipping the ball to teammates to create second-chance opportunities.

"I think I just hustle and make extra effort plays," said Scott after the win. His head coach in Sin City, Matt Reynolds, told Hardwood Houdini he credits the six-foot-seven wing for bringing the Celtics "a little bit of life when it was a little quiet out there."

David Berov, who hosts the Eye on the Storm Podcast, reported the news of Boston signing Scott to an Exhibit 10 deal. He also added that the organization "loved his game," according to a source he spoke with.

That comes as no surprise after seeing what he did with his minutes at Summer League.

The Texas native possesses the size, length, and motor to capture the attention of NBA teams. The next step is for him to grow into his role at both ends of the floor. That means developing into a more reliable catch-and-shoot threat and becoming even more effective as an on-ball and off-ball defender.

If Scott's playing for Phil Pressey with the Celtics' G League affiliate this season, he could make a significant impact there. One won't rule out him parlaying an impressive training camp and preseason performance into an NBA opportunity elsewhere. However, that chance may first require him to hone his craft in Maine.

Hayden Gray signs with Maine Celtics

That news comes courtesy of Noa Dalzell of Celtics Blog. The former UC San Diego guard led the NCAA in steals last season. He averaged 10.1 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.1 thefts in his final collegiate campaign. He also knocked down 41.8 percent of the threes he hoisted.

Gray is exceptional at tracking the ball on defense. As his conversion rate from behind the arc suggests, he's also a reliable catch-and-shoot threat. Furthermore, his basketball IQ and agility enable him to puncture gaps in the defense and create quality scoring chances for his teammates.

Gray is another player poised to make a significant impact in Maine. Earning an NBA opportunity may seem like a steep climb at the moment, but his skill set and basketball intellect could convince a team to take a chance on him down the road.