Ramp to Camp: Which two-way participant will assist Celtics essentially the most?

Ramp to Camp: Which two-way participant will assist Celtics essentially the most? initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Boston

Even on a crew just like the Boston Celtics that’s overflowing with depth, the two-way contract could be a priceless asset.

That pact supplied the runway for Sam Hauser to latch on with Boston as an undrafted rookie in 2021 then develop right into a key rotation presence. Final season, Neemias Queta supplied such regular minutes when Boston’s frontcourt depth was depleted that he received promoted from a two-way spot to the guardian roster earlier than the title run.

For the eleventh installment in our Ramp to Camp sequence, we requested our NBC Sports activities Boston panel to choose the two-way participant most certainly to affect the Celtics in the course of the 2024-25 season.

(Try the first ten installments of Ramp to Camp right here.)

The Celtics’ three two-way gamers coming into camp are 2022 second-round decide JD Davison, 2024 second-round decide Anton Watson, and undrafted Drew Peterson, who latched on with the crew on a two-way deal final December. All three will spend a lot of their time with the Maine Celtics, however who’s most certainly to sneak onto the court docket throughout their visits to Boston?

Davison has proven intriguing flashes in his first two seasons with the Celtics and his velocity is plain, however a loaded guard depth chart on the guardian roster clogs any pathway to constant taking part in time. He’s nonetheless solely 21 however the clock is ticking a bit coming into Yr 3.

Peterson shot 36.9 p.c on 6.1 3-point makes an attempt per sport final season in Maine, and whereas he wants to indicate he could make the identical strides that Hauser did defensively, there’s hope that the 6-foot-9 wing can finally comply with a Hauser-like plan. He’ll flip 25 early within the new season.

However Boston’s potential want for frontcourt depth makes Watson our decide for the most certainly to get thrown into the NBA hearth in the course of the 2024-25 season.

We don’t wish to overreact to Summer season League however Watson confirmed some encouraging versatility in Vegas. He supplies dimension and may defend a number of positions. He shot a strong 35 p.c on 4 3-point makes an attempt per sport at Summer season League and averaged 11.8 factors and 5.2 rebounds over 24.4 minutes per sport.

The Celtics have to put Watson within the movie room with Al Horford and have the veteran massive man load him up with data. Watson will flip 24 earlier than the beginning of the common season, and with 5 years of faculty play at Gonzaga, might be a bit of extra NBA prepared than most draftees.

When wholesome, Boston has a agency high 9. Queta has confirmed he can present strong minutes, too, whereas Xavier Tillman ought to be extra snug after latching on midstream final season. Lonnie Walker IV has confirmed he could be a dependable scorer off the bench on the NBA degree if he latches onto a roster spot.

Jaden Springer, Jordan Walsh, and rookie Baylor Scheierman all will likely be seeking to carve out roles on the guardian roster, too, which may restrict the chance for Boston’s two-way gamers.

Here is who our panel picked for the two-way participant most certainly to make an affect:

John Tomase, Columnist: Drew Peterson

He considers Derrick White an inspiration and is following the Sam Hauser path to Boston, so let’s go together with Peterson, an undrafted 6-9 bomber who lit it up at Maine final 12 months.

Tom Giles, Multi-platform host: JD Davison

I’ve to present the nod to Davison primarily based on expertise. We have seen a lot of gamers make regular enhancements, and if Davison can do the identical, he may discover his approach onto the ground.

Darren Hartwell, Managing Editor: Anton Watson

The 23-year-old is a flexible defender with a giant body (6-foot-8, 225 kilos) and a powerful outdoors shot (41.2 p.c from 3-point vary with Gonzaga final season). That is a priceless ability set for Joe Mazzulla, who may use Watson as a giant in some small-ball lineups.

Nick Goss, Net Producer: Drew Peterson

Peterson has a pair benefits. For starters, he is a fairly good shooter. He hit 36.7 p.c of his 3-pointers with the Maine Celtics final season. Peterson can be 6-foot-9, so he provides the Celtics a bit of extra positional versatility than JD Davison (6-foot-1).

He is an efficient free throw shooter (81.5 p.c) as effectively and completed second on the Maine Celtics in rebounding (7.4 per sport) final season.

Justin Leger, Net Producer: Drew Peterson

To be clear, I do not assume any of them make a lot of an affect. However since we’re speaking finest CHANCE, I am going to go together with Peterson. If Sam Hauser ever goes down, Peterson is perhaps given the chance to fill his footwear as a sharpshooter off the bench. He shot 37 p.c from deep final 12 months with Maine.

Davison is buried on the guard depth chart and Watson wants time to develop in Portland.

Kevin Miller, VP, Content material: Anton Watson

Most probably none of them, however I am going to go together with Watson. I believe he can play an expert sport at a place the place they do not have as a lot depth.