The Celtics training camp roster appears to be set, but perhaps they could make a last-minute pivot to take an upside swing on the recently waived Rob Dillingham. That would require Boston to rescind a training camp invite that they’ve already handed out, but the NBA is a harsh business, and if Brad Stevens and his front office see an opportunity, they should take it.
And an opportunity is exactly what Dillingham could represent. He was the eighth overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft after one season at Kentucky, but failed to crack the Timberwolves' rotation. After a disappointing season and a half, he was traded to the Bulls as part of a package for Ayo Dosunmu.
He got more of a chance with the tanking Bulls and put up 9.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in 30 appearances in Chicago. But still, even a rebuilding Bulls team didn’t see a future with Dillingham, and they traded him to the Hornets for Buddy Hield. On Monday, Charlotte chose to waive Dillingham, making him an unrestricted free agent.
It’s telling and concerning that three teams (including two young, rebuilding squads in Chicago and Charlotte) have already given up on the recent lottery pick, with the Hornets incurring a $6.9 million cap hit, rather than keeping him on the roster.
Celtics may never have easier chance to add young lottery talent
On the surface, it makes very little sense for a team in win-now mode like the Celtics to look into the young cast-off, but that could be part of his appeal. His value has bottomed out to the point that he could actually be available for a two-way contract or a minimum.
His brief career has been disappointing, but he’s still just 21 years old. He had enough talent to warrant a top-10 draft pick just two years ago, and the Celtics have a proven track record of developing young players, a need for point guard help, and no immediate path to acquiring this level of young talent.
So, it may seem like a long shot, but considering the Celtics are already looking into point guards like Devin Carter and Milos Uzan for a two-way spot, why not take a look at Dillingham, who has much more pedigree? Maybe it amounts to nothing, but that’s the case with most two-way contracts anyway.
Opportunities to get a 21-year old lottery pick in the door on a two-way are few and far between, and the upside is massive for a move that comes with essentially zero risk. If anyone can save him and salvage some value, it’s the Celtics, so I have to imagine that Brad and his team are looking into this move and seeing if it’s worth pursuing.
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