Celtics signing Dmytro Skapintsev replaces different big man than you think

On Tuesday, the Boston Celtics signed big man Dmytro Skapintsev to an Exhibit 10 contract, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. This could keep him on the roster for training camp and the preseason, should the Celtics choose to go that route. The 26-year-old is 7-foot-1 and has spent the last two seasons with the Westchester Knicks, the New York Knicks’ G League affiliate.

Though he appeared in two games with the big league club last year, Skapintsev spent most of his season in Westchester. He played 26.6 minutes per contest across 25 appearances. In those games, Skapintsev averaged 12.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.6 blocks while shooting 53.7% from the field and 30.0% from behind the three-point line.

At first glance, this move could look like the Celtics are looking to bring in more depth behind the injured Kristaps Porzingis and aging Al Horford. In reality, they could be trying to replace a different big man entirely.

Dmytro Skapintsev could replace Kylor Kelley on the Maine Celtics

Obviously, Porzingis and Horford are likely not going to play in every regular season game. But that’s what Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, and Neemias Queta are for. Skapintsev isn’t going to go from a training camp big to a rotation player overnight.

Instead, the Celtics are probably hoping to partially replace G League center Kylor Kelley with this move. Boston recently signed and waived Jordan Schakel, but since he was technically signed to an Exhibit 10 with the Celtics, he'll get a bonus for joining Maine. That is what they could do with Skapintsev.

Kelley spent last year with the Maine Celtics, appearing in 29 games and playing 22.0 minutes per contest. He averaged 8.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.9 blocks per game. The 27-year-old was named to the G League All-Defensive Team for his efforts, but this summer, he signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Skapintsev may not be the same level of defensive talent that Kelley morphed into up in Maine, but he’s another body they can throw out there at the center spot.

He’s an adept passer for the big man spot and has shown flashes of potential from beyond the three-point arc. Skapintsev is also very crafty in the low post.

In the G League world, players come and go at a moment’s notice. In the case of Kelley, he found what he likely perceives to be a better opportunity to make it in the NBA with the Lakers. And that’s a fair assumption, considering how much talent the Celtics have on their roster.

Because of that, the Celtics will have to bring in more center help for Maine, and Skapintsev might be their first swing at that need.