Boston Celtics waive two-way big man after just 12 games in Portland
On Tuesday evening, Brad Stevens opened up another two-way spot for the Boston Celtics. 26-year-old big man Nathan Knight was cut by the Celtics less than two months after putting pen to paper on a two-way deal. Knight, who notoriously gave Boston "the work" in his first career NBA start will be eligible to sign with any other team after clearing waivers.
Originally, Jay Scrubb was set to compete up in Maine, but after he tore his ACL, that left another open spot. J.D. Davison and Neemias Queta, the other two-way players have stood out much more than the New York native so far this campaign.
This was the second time already this season that the ex-Timberwolves player was waived by an NBA franchise. For Blaine Mueller up in Maine, Knight averaged 8.9 points per game to go along with 8.3 rebounds and a block. The former William & Mary player secured more than six offensive rebounds twice this past week for the C's of the North. In five G-League contests, the 6-foot-8 big grabbed double-digit rebounds, including a 15-rebound outing in just 20 minutes on December 7.
#Celtics two-way center/forward Nathan Knight has 46 rebounds over his last four games for the Maine Celtics:
— The Celtics Files (@CelticsFiles) December 10, 2023
12/1: 5 REB vs Raptors 905
12/3: 13 REB vs Capital City Go-Go
12/6: 13 REB vs Delaware Blue Coats
12/7: 15 REB vs Delaware Blue Coatspic.twitter.com/l8nacqWYBr
In the latest game in Maine, Knight received just 14 minutes of playing time, tied for his season-low. That may have been a little foreshadowing to what was to come a few days later. The former CAA Player of the Year has been a part of 108 NBA contests since going undrafted in 2020. 75 of those were in Minnesota where he posted 3.7 points per game in the north central United States.
Nathan Knight's rollercoaster 2023 continues as he seeks an opportunity away from Boston
Considering how fast Knight went without a team last time around, it is a possibility that another franchise snatches him up just as quick. Wherever he does end up, if it is the NBA, that team is getting a true hustle player that knows how to create second chance opportunities in his sleep.
Currently, the the Phoenix Suns have an open two-way spot per the G-League, a potential chance for Knight to link up with ex-Celtics Summer Leaguer Udoka Azubuike.