According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Boston Celtics have signed center Dmytro Skapintsev to an Exhibit 10 contract.
Skapintsev made two brief appearances for the New York Knicks last season, playing a total of just two minutes without scoring, missing his only field goal attempt. However, he contributed more significantly to the Knicks’ G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks.
Boston Celtics and Dmytro Skapintsev have agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal, league sources told @hoopshype. The 7-foot-1 center from Ukraine was called up by the New York Knicks last season. He’s two-way eligible and enters training camp looking to compete for a spot with the Celtics pic.twitter.com/yEyyGvcgWb
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 17, 2024
In 25 games with Westchester, Skapintsev averaged 12.1 points, 8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game. He shot 53.7% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc.
Boston Celtics Sign 7’1″ Big Man to Training Camp Deal
Where Dmytro Skapintsev Ranks On Boston’s Roster
There is a slim chance that Skapintsev will see game time for the Celtics next season, even with their limited depth after Kristaps Porzingis’ injury. As Scotto noted in his tweet, Skapintsev is eligible for a two-way contract, though the Celtics have already filled those spots with JD Davison, Drew Peterson, and rookie Anton Watson. Still, if Skapintsev impresses in training camp, a two-way deal could become a possibility.
For now, it seems he will primarily play in the G League. Despite his valuable 7’1″ size, at 26 years old, significant improvement on the court appears unlikely.
The Boston Celtics’ Outlook After Signing Dmytro Skapintsev
The Celtics enter the new season as the defending NBA champions and still appear to be the team to beat. They made minimal roster changes over the summer, drafting Baylor Scheierman, who has the potential to make an immediate impact. They also signed veteran Lonnie Walker IV to a training camp deal, though his role with the team remains uncertain.
On the downside, the Celtics lost sharpshooter Svi Mykhailiuk to the Utah Jazz, and Oshae Brissett, who opted out of his player option at the start of free agency, is still unsigned. While a reunion is possible, it seems unlikely this late in the offseason.
Additionally, the Celtics will begin the season without Kristaps Porzingis, who suffered a rare injury during the NBA Finals. Despite his absence, the team remains stacked, led by Finals MVP Jaylen Brown and star Jayson Tatum. With Derrick White extending his contract this summer and Jrue Holiday alongside him, they arguably form the league’s best defensive backcourt.
All eyes are on the Celtics as they prepare to defend their title, a challenge they seem more than ready to take on.
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