Celtics signing Jay Scrubb is simultaneously confusing and perfect

According to Bobby Manning of the Boston Sports Journal, the Boston Celtics are signing free agent guard Jay Scrubb to an Exhibit 10 contract, which is a training camp deal.

Scrubb originally signed a deal with the Celtics last offseason after playing for them in Summer League. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL before the start of the season and was unable to join Boston for the year.

Now, he’ll have a chance to get back in with the organization.

“He'll sign an Exhibit 10 contract with the Celtics once he fully recovers and receives clearance to play, allowing him to compete for a spot with Boston before likely resuming his basketball career in Maine,” Manning wrote.

Jay Scrubb sounds two-way deal with Celtics

As noted by Manning, the likely outcome of the signing is that Scrubb ends up with the Maine Celtics next year competing in the G League and hoping to earn a spot in the NBA with Boston or another team.

What makes the move so confusing is that there is no direct path for Scrubb to make the roster. Unless Boston inked him to a standard contract, which is extremely unlikely, there’s no space for him.

Anton Watson recently signed a two-way with Boston, filling the final of their three spots (JD Davison and Drew Peterson have the other two). There’s no room for him to sign the same two-way he earned last summer.

That said, the move also makes a ton of sense and could be perfect for both Scrubb and the Celtics.

After Scrubb tore his ACL, there were some rumblings that he would stick around the team to complete his rehab, and while this signing doesn’t confirm those suspicions, it at least says that the team kept tabs on him.

At the time Scrubb played for the Celtics in Summer League, he was fighting for his NBA life. And coming off of an ACL injury, getting back on his feet in the league could be very difficult.

This way, the Celtics get to keep Scrubb, a guy they liked enough to give a two-way spot last year, around in the organization, and Scrubb gets a landing spot to restart his career.