Celtics’ Nik Stauskas was ‘ready to give in,’ then he found new NBA life with Boston

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Nik Stauskas warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
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BOSTON — Nik Stauskas was ready to call it quits just days ago. This season was a make-or-break campaign, Stauskas said, as he contemplated walking away from the game he loved.

After all, his professional career has been a grind over the past few seasons. He hadn’t stuck on an NBA roster since 2018-19, when he played for the Blazers and Cavaliers.

Since then, he bounced around overseas and in the G-League, waiting for his next chance. Stauskas signed a 10-day contract with the Heat earlier this season, but he only appeared in two games and wasn’t sure when he would next play on an NBA court.

“Having a wife and having a kid on the way, I was just like, ‘Man, it’s not about just me anymore,’” Stauskas said after the Celtics’ practice Tuesday. “There’s stresses outside of basketball put on my family. That kind of forced me to get to that point where I was like, damn, I don’t know if I want to keep doing this.”

Stauskas, 28, finally found a new home with the Celtics, signing a two-year contract last week. It was a lifeline just when Stauskas felt he didn’t have much left in his career. It helped that Stauskas exploded for 100 points over two games with the G-League’s Grand Rapids Gold, forcing teams to look his way. Stauskas now jumps from uncertainty to playing for one of the hottest teams in the league.

There could be an opportunity awaiting Stauskas with the Celtics. They’re thin at the wing spot with Aaron Nesmith nursing an ankle sprain. Boston coach Ime Udoka has often played an eight-man rotation, but Stauskas could fill in during a pinch. Of course, Stauskas adds shooting, which is a huge variable for the Celtics.

The lone connection Stauskas has with any Celtic is Al Horford. Stauskas played with Al’s brother, Jon, when they starred for Michigan. Matt Ryan, the Celtics’ new two-way player, also played with Stauskas on the Gold, though he’s up in the G-League.

“I’m just trying to make the most of it here, trying to learn this system, trying to become friends with all these guys and the coaching staff,” Stauskas said. “And, so far, I’ve only been here for a couple of days, but have nothing but good experiences so far.”

Stauskas said he comes into his second shot in the league as a new player. He was originally drafted No. 8 overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Kings, where they hoped Stauskas could develop into a sharpshooter. But the NBA is unforgiving, and Stauskas found himself just trying to find steady rotation minutes a few years into his career.

As Stauskas bounced around the league — from the Sixers to Nets to Blazers and so on — he said it was difficult keeping perspective. When he didn’t get minutes in his first five years in the league, Stauskas said his energy was noticeably down. That won’t be the case with his new NBA life.

“I just have a different appreciation now for being in this, having this opportunity,” Stauskas said. “Trying to make the most of it. If I’m not going to play, I’m going to be the first guy waving the towel, pumping everyone else up. For me, that’s growth because that’s something that I wasn’t willing to do just a couple years ago in my first stint in the league.”

Stauskas has some stability going forward, at least through the end of this season. While it’s a two-year contract, next season will be non-guaranteed as he looks to continue his pro career. But Stauskas said he’s relishing every moment in Boston.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity and over the last couple of years, it’s just been important to me to stay true to who I am,” Stauskas said. “And at the end of the day, it’s been my love for the game that’s kept me going, even through the highs and the lows, through injuries and the doubts. Not knowing what the next day brings.”

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