With the start of the 2023-24 season steadily approaching, Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics have taken yet another step closer to having a full training camp roster, as the team has signed veteran Svi Mykhailiuk to a one-year deal.
Word of Mykhailiuk’s deal came courtesy of The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Free agent Svi Mykhailiuk has agreed to a one-year deal with the Boston Celtics, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 31, 2023
Mykhailiuk’s move to Boston comes after what’s been a workout-heavy week and change for the Celtics, and after a 2022-23 season that Mykhailiuk spent with the Knicks and Hornets.
Mar 28, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Hornets guard Svi Mykhailiuk (10) and guard James Bouknight (2) talk during a time out against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Paycom Center. (Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports)
Signed out of training camp by the Knicks last fall, the 6-foot-7 Mykhailiuk made 13 appearances for New York in 2022-23 before the Knicks shipped him to Portland in the Josh Hart trade. The Blazers then immediately rerouted Mykhailiuk to the Hornets in a separate trade.
In Charlotte, Mykhailiuk certainly appeared to show a little something something in what was an obviously limited sample size, with a career-best 10.6 points per game and 44.1 field goal percentage (40.4 percent from three-point range) in 19 games.
Mykhailiuk, who broke into the league in 2018 as a second-round pick of the Lakers, also averaged a career-high 2.7 assists per game during that 19-game run with Charlotte.
Mar 23, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Svi Mykhailiuk (17) during warms ups before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. (Stephen Lew/USA TODAY Sports)
A veteran of 252 games between six different franchises since 2018, Mykhailiuk appears to be your classic off-the-bench wing scorer who can chip in with the occasional three pointer and give you an effort on defense.
Given Mykhailiuk’s notably small wingspan for a guy his size, the scoring would seemingly be his priority in Boston, and could be a need for the Celtics in 2023-24 based on what they couldn’t get from their bench during the 2023 playoffs, namely when the Heat bench would come into the game and provide Miami with a clear lift.
The Celtics could be hoping that they’re buying in on Mykhailiuk’s ‘prime’ as a three-point threat at this level, as he’s coming to Boston on the heels of a career-high percentage mark on that front.
Mar 28, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Svi Mykhailiuk (10) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. (Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports)
The Ukrainian-born wing will of course have to make the team, but there’s definitely some natural comfort in a veteran option over a two-way talent, and Mykhailiuk is certainly that.
His signing does still leave the Celtics with an open roster spot for the 2023-24 season, too, should they follow through and add a player they’ve worked out or invite Blake Griffin to return for another run with the C’s.
Celtics training camp is expected to fire up training camp on Oct. 3, while the Celtics will kick off a five-game preseason slate beginning Oct. 8 and running through Oct. 19.
