Training camp opens in about three weeks, and while the Celtics are finally back at the limit of 15 contracts, they’re still bringing in prospective players to fill out the roster.
Former Jazz forward Juwan Morgan has agreed to a training camp deal with Boston, where he’ll fight for either a roster spot or a two-way contract.
The Celtics are at the maximum of 15 contracts already, but one of those slots is Jabari Parker’s non-guaranteed deal. That means if Morgan really shows out during training camp, the C’s hypothetically have an open roster spot. Boston does have a vacant two-way slot alongside Sam Hauser, which is also a realistic option.
Now the Celtics are at 17 players rostered for training camp, with the maximum being at 20. Morgan should slide in as a potential contributor as a combo forward, where he’ll look to stick with the C’s on defense.
Here are four things to know about the newest Celtic:
Path to Boston
Morgan spent the first two seasons of his career with the Jazz, playing in a combined 50 games, averaging 1.4 points and 1.1 rebounds per game. He shot 51.8% from the field, but it was only on 1.1 field goals attempts a game.
After a four-year career at Indiana, Morgan latched on with Utah, where he initially signed a two-way contract. He spent a significant amount of time with the G-League affiliate Salt Lake City Stars, averaging 14.3 points and 7.7 rebounds in 15 games.
Morgan looked like he was set to earn more playing time as a second-year pro last season, but the Jazz were the best team in the NBA regular season. They were deeper and healthier, which limited Morgan to a reserve role. He played in the Las Vegas Summer League last month, but the Jazz didn’t extend him a qualifying offer, making him a free agent.
Playoff experience
When the Jazz were going through some injury struggles during the 2020 playoffs, they actually turned to a rookie version of Morgan. He hadn’t played much all season, but Utah coach Quin Snyder slid Morgan into the starting lineup during Games 1 and 2 of the first-round series.
That’s where Morgan earned some looks for his play. Even after Mike Conley returned to the starting lineup, Morgan still played in all seven games of that series loss. While he didn’t stick with the Jazz, the playoff experience as a rookie — and not completely folding — was a positive sign for a guy looking to stick in the league.
How can he fit?
Morgan’s fit is somewhat the opposite of Parker. While Parker can be an immediate bench scorer, his defensive abilities are why he’s struggled sticking in the league recently. Morgan will look to make the C’s by playing tough on defense.
He was asked to do a lot with Utah on the defensive end, including playing as a small-ball center when the Jazz needed him to. He’s a bit undersized there with his 6-foot-7 frame, but he’ll look to guard multiple positions when he is on the floor.
Familiar face
Morgan spent four years in Indiana while current Celtic Romeo Langford was a one-and-done prospect for the Hoosiers. But their time did coincide for the 2018-19 season. It took them different paths as Morgan slowly built himself up into an NBA prospect while Langford was a five-star recruit and was a first-round pick.
Familiar faces at a new gig aren’t such a bad deal, though. It was a disappointing season for the Hoosiers when Langford and Morgan teamed up, where they went 19-16 (8-12 in the Big Ten) and missed the NCAA Tournament.
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