Inside The Celtics

Celtics Re-Sign Sharpshooter on Two-Way Deal

Bobby Krivitsky

Apr 12, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Drew Peterson (13) shoots for three points against the Charlotte Hornets in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Drew Peterson (13) shoots for three points against the Charlotte Hornets in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports / David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
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The Celtics have spent the first week of NBA free agency working to keep as much of their title team intact as possible.

The reigning champions re-signed Luke Kornet when free agency opened at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday. They inked Neemias Queta to a multi-year pact shortly after that, and they re-signed Xavier Tillman Sr. on Tuesday.

On Monday, they completed extensions with Jayson Tatum, who they signed to the most lucrative contract in NBA history, worth an estimated $314 million over five years, and Derrick White, who they extended for four years and $125.9 million.

Boston Celtics teammates Jayson Tatum and Derrick White celebrate a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Boston has 13 of 15 players who occupied standard roster spots with the Celtics last season under contract for the 2024-25 campaign. The two who remain free agents are Svi Mykhailiuk, who may choose to play overseas, a scenario he considered last summer, and Oshae Brissett.

As for the team's two-way roster openings, the defending NBA champions announced on Wednesday that they filled one of those three vacancies by bringing back Drew Peterson.

The organization tendered a qualifying offer to him last week. The six-foot-nine sharpshooter made three appearances with Boston in his rookie campaign last season, averaging 3.7 points and making three of the five shots he hoisted from beyond the arc.

Peterson generated 16.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game for the Maine Celtics last year, helping the franchise reach the G League championship.

While first-round pick Baylor Scheierman will occupy a standard roster spot with the parent club, second-round selection Anton Watson will likely join the team on a two-way deal. Boston's third two-way opening may go to JD Davison.

After the draft concluded, the Celtics' president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, expressed, "JD will be a free agent, but we very much (would) like to try to figure out a way to get him back in (some) capacity."

Further Reading

Celtics Roster, Salary Cap Breakdown After Whirlwind Start to Free Agency

Celtics, Jayson Tatum Agree to Most Lucrative Deal in NBA History

Celtics' Ownership Group Announces Plan to Sell the Franchise

Derrick White, Essential to Celtics' Dynasty Hopes, Signs 4-Year Extension

Celtics Work Quickly to Re-Sign Luke Kornet

Brad Stevens Shares His Outlook on Celtics' Draft Picks

Baylor Scheierman Shares Celtics' Feedback Before Drafting Him

Al Horford, Raising Cane's, and a Region that Loves Him

On Derrick White and the Fuel for Unprecedented Journey to NBA's Best Role Player

Jayson Tatum, an NBA Champion Entering Peak of His Powers

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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