Newest Celtic celebrates his career's full-circle journey

As one Massachusetts native departed Boston, another player with local ties joined the Celtics.

Earlier this month, the 18-time NBA champions acquired RJ Luis Jr. from the Utah Jazz. The trade was financially motivated and wiped Georges Niang's $8.2 million salary off the books.

While the move denies Niang, who hails from Methuen, MA, the chance to play for his hometown team, it creates a full-circle moment for Luis. The former UMass Amherst star captured that in a recent Instagram post.

Get to know RJ Luis Jr.

After maineventing at the Mullins Center, the Miami, Florida, native transferred to St. John's. There, he played for a Celtics potential savior turned villain, Rick Pitino.

Luis was the Red Storm's leading scorer last season. He averaged 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds. He was second on the team in the latter category. His production earned him Big East Player of the Year and Second-Team All-American honors.

The six-foot-seven wing boasts a wingspan extending six feet and 10.5 inches. Luis's combination of size, length, and athleticism makes him a disruptive defender.

He swiped 1.4 steals per game at St. John's last season. He averaged over one steal per contest in each of his three collegiate campaigns. At the next level, Luis might prove most impactful at the defensive end of the floor.

Offensively, he's comfortable creating for himself off the dribble, especially from the mid-range. He's also an explosive two-foot jumper, known to finish ferocious dunks when he gets downhill.

His 3/17 struggles vs. the Arkansas Razorbacks in the NCAA Tournament, with Brad Stevens in attendance, reflect a shot that needs refinement. Luis was a career 31.4 percent three-point shooter in college. He made 33.6 percent of the 3.9 shots he launched from behind the arc last season.

Fortunately, he's joining an organization with a strong track record of helping players improve their shot. If such a development takes hold and he becomes a reliable catch-and-shoot threat, it would appreciably raise his ceiling. That maturation could make him a productive two-way option.

Before getting rerouted to Boston, Luis signed with the Jazz on a two-way deal after this year's NBA draft. He is now on that same arrangement with the Celtics.

Much of Luis's development figures to come with their G League affiliate in Maine. He's a player to keep an eye on there. One who could follow in the footsteps of players like Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet, going on to carve out a place for themselves with the parent club.