The Celtics entered training camp last week with plenty of uncertainty and flexibility at the back end of their roster. With just 10 players holding fully guaranteed contracts, there’s plenty of competition for not just a rotation spot but sticking on the roster entirely as Brad Stevens tries to build a complete contender following the Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis trades.
One of Boston’s late free-agent additions to the roster this summer was Svi Mykhailiuk, a sharpshooting guard who has just $200,000 of his contract guaranteed. The former Lakers draft pick had a standout second half with the Hornets last year before getting a chance to earn a spot with Boston.
After a DNP-CD in the preseason opener, Mykhailiuk and several other bubble candidates got some run with Boston’s regulars sitting out. The 26-year-old made the most of that opportunity along with Dalano Banton (20 points) in the Celtics’ loss to the Knicks.
The 6-foot-7 Mykhailiuk scored 15 points off the bench in 25 minutes, going 5-of-9 from the field and 3-of-7 from 3-point range. He showed some good touch from the perimeter and solid playmaking in the half court, the type of skills that got him on Boston’s radar this offseason. Defense remains a weak spot (four fouls on Monday night) but his size and shooting on the wing should hold appeal for Boston as they look for perimeter weapons around their stars within bench units.
With three preseason games to go, there’s a long road for Mykhailiuk to cement a roster spot or even push for a fringe rotation spot. However, the opening could very well be there if Sam Hauser (2-of-15 from 3-point range this preseason) continues to struggle with his shot. Boston has a pair of energy power forwards (Oshae Brissett, Lamar Stevens) that could be bench contributors but neither of those players are reliable shooters. The same goes for Dalano Banton. Mykhailiuk could be a guy that helps to maximum spacing if injuries arise on the wing and/or Hauser is unable to snap out of his slow start.
The Celtics may well stick with the 15 players on their roster coming out of the preseason but all of them will need to earn a spot as the team weighs emerging trade and waiver wire options in the coming weeks. Mykhailiuk helped himself on that front Monday night at Madison Square Garden.
