Boston Celtics Assistant General Manager Austin Ainge told Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe several players that will play on the Celtics’ Summer League team in 2022.
Boston had no first round selection in 2021 and doesn’t pick until No. 53 in the 2022 NBA Draft, which takes place Thursday night. The Celtics don’t quite have a must-watch up-and-comer this summer, unless you count a certain first-round pick who may or may not play.
Here’s what we know about the players that are on the team:
Aaron Nesmith?
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 10: Aaron Nesmith #26 of the Boston Celtics guards Bol Bol #10 of the Denver Nuggets during the 2021 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Celtics defeated the Nuggets 107-82. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Celtics haven’t officially determined whether the 22-year-old wing will participate in Summer League yet, per Himmelsbach. Nesmith was the 14th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, but hasn’t had much opportunity to get on the floor in the NBA as of yet.
Nesmith led last year’s Celtics Summer League team in both points (17.4) and rebounds (6.2) per game.
Sam Hauser
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 15: Paul Millsap #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots against Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center on February 15, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The undrafted rookie didn’t play much for the Celtics this year. The 6-foot-7 wing had 10 points, five rebounds and a block in 21 minutes of an overtime loss to the Toronto Raptors in March. He’ll likely serve as one of, if not the primary scorer for Boston this summer.
Juhann Begarin
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 10: Juhann Begarin #29 of the Boston Celtics passes against Eugene German #8 of the Denver Nuggets during the 2021 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Celtics defeated the Nuggets 107-82. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Begarin is the most recent Celtics draftee, selected with the 45th pick of the 2021 draft. The 6-5 shooting guard from France averaged 24 minutes in five games last summer. In those five games he scored 6.3 points with 3.4 rebounds and three assists.
Yam Madar
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 10: Yam Madar #28 of the Boston Celtics saves the ball from going backcourt during a game against of the Denver Nuggets during the 2021 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Madar was the Celtics 2020 second round pick, but has spent the past two seasons overseas. The 6-foot-3 point guard appeared in three games during the 2021 Summer League. In that span he averaged 4.7 points and 15 minutes of game action.
Juwan Morgan
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 19: Juwan Morgan #13 of the Maine Celtics dunks against the Motor City Cruise during the NBA G League Winter Showcase at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on December 19, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
Morgan also has three years in the league with just as many teams. The 6-foot-7 wing averaged 12 points, five rebounds and three assists with the Celtics G-League team this season.
Brodric Thomas
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 15: Charlie Brown Jr. #16 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots against Brodric Thomas #97 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center on February 15, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Thomas averaged 14 points in the G-League this season, but like many people on this list didn’t play much for the Celtics. The Truman State native also averaged 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks this season in Maine.
Matt Ryan
CANTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 25: A detail of the General Electric logo on the jersey of the Boston Celtics’ during Celtics Media Day at High Output Studios on September 25, 2017 in Canton, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Not to be mistaken for the now Colts quarterback, Ryan saw no time in the NBA this season. Yet another 6-foot-7 wing for the Celtics Summer League team, he averaged 20 points on 44 percent shooting from three in the G-League this year.
Boston begins Summer League on Saturday, July 9 against the Miami Heat. They will also face the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies.
PHOTOS: Warriors defeat Celtics in Game 6 at TD Garden
NBA: Finals-Golden State Warriors at Boston Celtics
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NBA: Finals-Golden State Warriors at Boston Celtics
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2022 NBA Finals – Game Six
ShareBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics argues a foul call with referee David Guthrie #16 during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
2022 NBA Finals – Game Six
ShareBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Owner Wyc Grousbeck of the Boston Celtics and owner Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots look on courtside during the first quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
2022 NBA Finals – Game Six
ShareBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
NBA: Finals-Golden State Warriors at Boston Celtics
ShareJun 16, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after a three-point basket against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter of game six in the 2022 NBA Finals at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
2022 NBA Finals – Game Six
ShareBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
2022 NBA Finals – Game Six
ShareBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles up the court against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
2022 NBA Finals – Game Six
ShareBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics talks with head coach Ime Udoka against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
2022 NBA Finals – Game Six
ShareBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a layup against Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
2022 NBA Finals – Game Six
ShareBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors shoots a three pointer against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
2022 NBA Finals – Game Six
ShareBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Stephen Curry #30 and Otto Porter Jr. #32 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
2022 NBA Finals – Game Six
ShareBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates a three pointer against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
2022 NBA Finals – Game Six
ShareBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: A general view in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
2022 NBA Finals – Game Six
ShareBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
2022 NBA Finals – Game Six
ShareBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts on the bench against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
2022 NBA Finals – Game Six
ShareBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts on the bench against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
2022 NBA Finals – Game Six
ShareBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics walks off the floor after losing to the Golden State Warriors 103-90 in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
What Bradley Beal's reported decision means for the Celtics
The NBA free agent pool just got a little bit deeper. According to Michael Scotto of USA Today, star Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal will decline the $36.4 million player option in his contract for the 2022-2023 season. With that move, Beal is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
UPDATE: This report seemed to be news to Beal himself, who tweeted “Wait huh? Lol” shortly after the original story was posted.
Beal is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent, but that’s not a guarantee. The 28-year-old can still sign a new deal with the Wizards. By opting out and doing a new deal, Beal can add an additional $6.3 million of salary next season.
This move comes amid rumors Beal may look to leave Washington, where he’s played since being drafted third overall in 2012. However, Bleacher Report’s Bryan Toporek indicated on Twitter that Beal could sign his new deal with the Wizards, “and then ask out later if needed.”
If it does come to that, the Celtics have been rumored to be one of the favorites to land the three-time All-Star. A report from Jason Dumas of Bleacher Report last year indicated the Celtics would be Beal’s “preferred destination” so he could play with fellow St. Louis native Jayson Tatum. Both Beal and Tatum have spoken about their relationship in the past, with Beal giving an emotional answer on the subject just a few weeks ago.
There’s reason to believe that interest would be mutual as well. On Tuesday, Brad Stevens outlined what he believes to be the Celtics’ biggest needs this offseason including another consisted scorer and playmaker. Beal is a fit for both of those roles, and at an elite level. Over the course of his career, he’s averaged 22.1 points and 4.2 assists in 34.8 minutes per game. He set a career-high in assists last year, averaging 6.6 in 36 minutes per game.
So what does this latest move mean for the Celtics’ potential pursuit of Beal? Without major roster manipulation, the Celtics would not have been able to sign Beal outright as a free agent. If he does re-up with Washington, it opens the door for a sign-and-trade while still allowing him to maximize his contract value. If such a deal does happen, the Celtics still need to match salaries but do have the pieces in place to do so including Al Horford and his $27 million dollar deal.
The next big step is to see if and when Beal signs his new deal with the Wizards. NBA league-wide Free Agency begins June 30.