The Boston Celtics recently signed Dmytro Skapintsev to an Exhibit 10 contract for training camp. The big man spent last season with the Westchester Knicks, the New York Knicks’ G League affiliate. But what was initially reported as a signing has now turned into a G League trade.
In exchange for Skapintsev, the Maine Celtics will be sending two players to Westchester: Brandon Slater and Joe Wieskamp. Slater spent the entirety of last season in Maine, while Wieskamp joined on board mid-way through the year after spending the first half with the Texas Legends, the Dallas Mavericks’ G League affiliate.
Both players played well, but clearly, the Celtics value Skapintsev more.
Maine Celtics trade Brandon Slater and Joe Wisekamp to Westchester Knicks for Ddmytro Skapintsev
Slater appeared in 30 G League games with the Celtics last year, playing 20.5 minutes per contest. He averaged 8.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists while shooting 44.8% from the floor and 37.6% from beyond the three-point line. The 25-year-old forward is 6-foot-7.
The Westchester Knicks agree to trade the Returning Player Rights to Dmytro Skapintsev to the Maine Celtics in exchange for the Returning Player Rights to Brandon Slater and Joe Wieskamp.
— Westchester Knicks (@wcknicks) September 17, 2024
As for Wieskamp, he appeared in 13 games for Maine last year, playing 33.0 minutes per contest. He averaged 16.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 52.9% from the field and 42.4% from behind the arc. The 25-year-old wing is 6-foot-6.
Both players played well in their minutes, and Wieskamp, in particular, showed some serious skill from distance. However, the Celtics needed to make a move to fill a hole at the center position.
This summer, they lost big man Kylor Kelley, who was named to the G League All-Defensive Team last year. He signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers for training camp.
Skapintsev will step into the Celtics organization as a pretty clear replacement option for Kelly at the G League level.
This past year with Westchester, he appeared in 25 games and played 26.6 minutes per contest. 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 7-foot-1, the 26-year-old center is a very skilled playmaker and works well out of the low post. He’s a bit slow, however, so he probably won’t be able to switch much on defense.
That said, Skapintsev is very skilled for a center, and that’s the type of player who could help Maine win games next year.
They made the G League Championship last year but fell short against the Oklahoma City Blue. This year, they’ll be looking to atone for that loss.