Analysis: Celtics reportedly agree to two-way deal with P.J. Dozier

The Celtics may have put the finishing touches on their final roster on Friday after agreeing to a two-way deal with P.J. Dozier according to a report from Sean Deveney of the Sporting News.

Dozier, 21, is a 6-foot-6 guard who played two seasons at South Carolina before declaring for the NBA Draft in 2017. He went undrafted last June but ended up signing a two-way deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 2017-18 season. He ended up playing just two games with the big club during his rookie year, spending the majority of his time in the G-League with the Oklahoma City Blue.

Dozier posted some solid numbers given his youth at that level, averaging 13 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He shot 46 percent from the field, 34 percent from 3-point range and 65 percent from the free-throw line.

Dozier will fill Boston's second two-way contract slot, as he joins Walter Lemon Jr.

BSJ Analysis

Dozier's youth (only 21) gives the Celtics a little bit more untapped potential to work with than usual for a two-way deal.

Dozier is a freak athlete with a 6-foot-11 wingspan and an NBA body. He can guard multiple positions on the wing and can create problems in transition for opponents with his slashing ability.

It's easy to see why he could appeal to the Celtics from a long-term perspective. Danny Ainge loves athleticism and length on the wing and he might be losing some of it next offseason if the likes of Terry Rozier and Marcus Morris are unable to be retained in free agency. Dozier has the potential to develop into an NBA contributor down the line and the C's are going to need cheap end of the bench talent when the payroll soars over the next couple seasons. By getting him into the system now, the C's can do their best to groom him and grow his game, with the hope that he's ready to compete for an NBA roster spot next year, when there is more opportunity at the bottom of the Celtics roster.

So what exactly does Dozier need to take the next step in his career? It starts with his outside shot. He hit just 27 percent of his 3s at South Carolina. That improved nicely during his time in the G-League (34 percent) but it's still a weak point in his game. He can get to the rim but he's not a great finisher either and his free throw shooting is iffy as well. All of this stuff is workable for a 21-year-old, but it's what kept him from getting drafted last year.

For now, the Celtics get a nice athletic piece to groom next season with the Red Claws. While the odds are strongly against him getting any real action in Boston next year (barring a pile of injuries hitting again), the opportunity for him in 2019 and beyond could be there.