Celtics finalize training camp roster with 20 players ahead of season

BOSTON — The Celtics officially have 20 rostered players for training camp, and they’ll look to trim their roster to 15 by the Oct. 18 season opener against the 76ers. Boston’s core is the same with the starters from last season and its bench pieces, but the competition for the last few roster spots will be worth keeping an eye on.

The Celtics have their rotation already set and rostered: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Robert Williams III, Al Horford, Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White, Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard. Both Luke Kornet and Sam Hauser could also be in line for more playing time because of injuries. The C’s opened training camp Tuesday with their first practice at the Auerbach Center.

Danilo Gallinari is also rostered, though he’s likely out for the season because of a torn ACL. The Celtics also have JD Davison and Mfiondu Kabengele, who are both on two-way contracts.

So, that means 12 of the 15 spots are filled with players who are expected to make the roster. Six players will be fighting for those three potential spots, though the Celtics can leave the 15th roster spot vacant come opening night.

Those six players fighting for a spot are: Justin Jackson, Jake Layman, Luka Samanic, Brodric Thomas, Denzel Valentine and Noah Vonleh. Jackson played in one game for the Celtics last season on a 10-day contract, and the North Carolina product impressed during Summer League. Thomas was on a two-way contract with the C’s last season and he’s looking to make the team.

The recent additions are Layman and Samanic. Layman has played in six seasons in the NBA, bouncing between Portland and Minnesota. The Norwood native is listed at 6-foot-8 and could give the Celtics some size. Samanic at 6-foot-10 spent last season in the G-League, where he averaged 27.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. He was also a former first-round pick.

Vonleh is another big-man option at 6-foot-10 as the Celtics look for more depth at big man following Rob Williams’ surgery. He’s also another former first-round pick as he looks to stick in the league. Valentine rounds out the six-man group as another former first-rounder. The Michigan State product has appeared in 256 games and is looking to add another chapter to his NBA career.