With 13 players under contract, the Boston Celtics had been eyeing several free agents who would be willing to play on a minimum contract. Glenn Robinson III had been mentioned as a player the Celtics were working out and both TJ Warren and Lamar Stevens have also been in consideration for a roster spot.
On Thursday, Boston decided to add a different name to their roster, as they agreed to a one-year contract with Svi Mykhailiuk, first reported by The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Mykhailiuk, 26, was originally drafted 47th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 after having an All-American career at Kansas. During his rookie year, the Ukrainian wing played for both the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons. He has since spent time with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets.
Just this past season, Mykhailiuk played in a total of 13 games with the Knicks and 19 games with the Hornets, averaging a combined 6.9 points and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 42.4 percent from three-point range. Over his final nine games with Charlotte, he averaged 17.0 points and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 38.2 percent from deep.
No matter where he has been, Mykhailiuk has always been known to be a sharpshooter on the wing, which is why the Celtics showed interest in him over the last week. Boston ranked sixth in the league this past season in three-point shooting, so their new addition should fit right in with how they play offensively. However, it is unlikely that he will hold a major role coming off the bench should he be on their opening night roster.
The Celtics are preparing for the 2023-24 season as title favorites after making the NBA Finals in 2022 and coming up a game short of making the Finals again this past season. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown remain the leaders of the team, as Kristaps Porzingis joins the mix to try and help deliver this franchise their 18th championship.
Boston is scheduled to begin the new season on the road in Madison Square Garden on October 25, as they will face off against Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks.
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