NBA Notebook: Celtics rookie Jordan Walsh used to finding his role on talented teams

LAS VEGAS -- Jordan Walsh didn't shoot intimidated as he spotted up for three consecutive 3-point makes in the first quarter of his first professional game. Brad Stevens described the rookie's shooting spike as the first sign of improvement since his uneven lone season at Arkansas, and in an enticing debut, he buried four three-pointers, flashed an aggressive defensive posture and a style built to fit alongside Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. 

"He wanted to win a state championship, he did it. He wanted to be an all-state player, he did it. He wanted to be an All-American player, he did it. He wanted to go to a high-major university, he did it. He wanted to go to the NBA, he did it. He wanted to be a one-and-done, he literally said, 'I wanna be a one-and-done. My goal isn't to play college basketball, my goal is to go to the NBA," Walsh's high school coach Brandon Thomas told Boston Sports Journal. "His confidence is through the roof. He's an extremely confident guy, not just basketball player, but guy. That's what it takes." 

Walsh received mostly positive feedback in his NBA combine journey and decided to take a leap that landed him with the Celtics, who signed him to a four-year, $7.60-million deal using the new second-round exception in the CBA. He joined excited to show areas of his offensive game that didn't flash in college, a product of changing his role to help Arkansas win while Anthony Black and Nick Smith Jr., two fellow freshman draft selections who shared the floor with him. Lineup shuffling saw him come off the bench for the team's March Madness run, reflecting Walsh's low-key and amicable demeanor. 

That changes when he takes the floor, where he immediately stands out due to both to his physique, carrying some of the longest arms that fly in every direction to disrupt offensive plays, and his bald head, which the condition Alopecia forced onto him during his teenage years. Former NBA forward Charlie Villanueva, who also lost his hair to Alopecia and began spreading awareness about it, and Walsh eventually connected to give the latter confidence to both play through and inspire others dealing with it. Walsh said Villanueva gave him an outlet to get opinions and perspectives from him.

Around that time, when Walsh attended Faith Family Academy in Dallas, he began to form the other part of his still-developing identity. He realized that he may not always get the ball, but can impact each possession with the energy he brings to the defensive side of the ball. Thomas, another mentor Walsh went to for advice through every step of his basketball journey, told the high school freshman that bluntly. 

'Coach, why won't they didn't they give me the ball?' Walsh remembered asking Thomas. 

'Nobody knows who you are, Jordan,' Thomas told him. 'So if you want the ball, go play defense. Go get a rebound and push it yourself.'

"I had to gain respect that way," Walsh told BSJ. "Once he told me that, that kind of shaped my game." 

Walsh heard a different message when he arrived at Auerbach Center and passed up an open 3-point shot with a side-step move in the corner when he received a pass. Everyone in the gym yelled at him, asking what he was doing. You have to shoot it, the coaching staff told him. On Saturday, he launched six 3s, three times the number of attempts he averaged per game with the Razorbacks last season. 

Anthony Ruta and Arkansas' other coaches recruited Walsh into his senior season, during which Walsh played at Link Academy for current Kansas State assistant Rodney Perry. They watched Synergy clips from afar and knew Walsh would fit into their system and become a great player. Walsh attended, excited to receive mentorship from former NBA coach Keith Smart and Razorbacks head coach Eric Musselman, who told Walsh that he'd only attend the school for one year before turning pro. 

"From day one, from a defensive standpoint, just being able to guard multiple positions, being able to switch pick-and-rolls, switch different actions with his athleticism," Ruta said. "He's got an innate ability to read plays a step or two before stuff happens, being able to jump out into a passing lane and create a steal, being able to get deflections, whether that's on-ball with a steal, off-ball with a block."

"Just being able to pick up advanced defensive concepts really quickly. He's someone from day one, for us, was an elite defender," Ruta said. "He's ahead of the curve ... from a scouting report, (he) did a really good job of picking up themes game-to-game ... personnel stuff we would address as a coaching staff ... being able to do a really good job of keying in on a top offensive player on the opposing team and being able to shut them down ... point guard, four man or a wing ... we could slide him around." 

Walsh chased down a missed Arkansas free throw and tipped it out to Ricky Council IV that gave the Razorbacks two extra free throws in the final minute of an upset win over Kansas. The offensive side challenged him at Arkansas, where he showed flashes of reading defenses and making the right plays in practice, something Celtics head coach Tony Dobbins also sees Walsh doing confidently. Hornets rookie Smith Jr. told BSJ at Summer League he loved running the fast break alongside Walsh, where he could find his teammate for lobs, three-pointers and other energy-driving offensive plays. 

Oshae Brissett spoke for the first time as a Celtic in Las Vegas on Saturday predicting he'll make a similar impact on the Celtics, knowing his role and staying within it, then playing as hard as possible when asked to come off the bench. Brissett and Walsh faced long odds to play often next season before Boston traded Grant Williams last week, opening up minutes at the four position when the Celtics go small or rest Al Horford. 

The Celtics used to play three long wings along the perimeter when Gordon Hayward played next to Brown and Tatum, a look the team struggled generating since. If both players make enough of an impression entering the season, they could earn larger roles than expected. Boston gave Walsh a similar contract a first-rounder would receive, and he made an early attempt at endearing himself to Tatum by staring at him after making a three on Saturday. Tatum didn't look back yet. 

"I wanted to play a role that I would if I was playing with a guy like Jayson Tatum," Walsh said. "Being ready to hit those open shots and make easy plays ... I looked over (at him) like, 'yeah. yeah.' It's respect though. I love watching him play." 

Here's what else happened around the NBA this week... 

Atlanta: Extended Dejounte Murray on a four-year, $120-million deal ahead of his free agency next summer. The contract keeps Trae Young and Murray together as Atlanta's backcourt through at least 2026 after the Hawks acquired Murray for 3 first-round picks and an additional swap, a risky trade given the team's restrictions on extending him. They ultimately agreed on a deal that should age well as the cap increases, though the fit between the team's guards remains far from certain and Atlanta selected a pair of point guards in Kobi Bufkin and Seth Lundy in this year's draft. 

Boston: Traded Grant Williams to the Mavericks for two second-round picks in a deal that landed Williams a four-year, $53 million contract, the same figure Boston reportedly offered him in the fall, except this one fully guaranteed. As Jaylen Brown remains unsigned, reportedly working toward a long-term deal with the Celtics in Las Vegas this weekend, Jayson Tatum and the Celtics seemed to check in Damian Lillard, whose camp continues to strongly indicate they would not like to play for Boston or any other team except the Heat. The Boston Globe reported the Celtics will not get in the mix for a Lillard trade. Large Raptors point guard Dalano Banton signed a two-year deal and will play in this weekend's Summer League alongside J.D. Davison, Jordan Walsh, Justin Champagnie and several Maine players from last season. Watch for former two-way Heat guard Mychal Mulder.

Brooklyn: Not much noise on the Nets emerging as suitors to land Damian Lillard. They could facilitate a deal to Miami in a larger trade likely required to funnel enough assets in Portland's direction. Brooklyn owns years of future Suns picks it could supply in exchange for Tyler Herro while getting off Ben Simmons' two-year contract, which would land in Miami or a fourth team. Does Brooklyn want to aid the Heat's acquisition of a star? They're not in position to worry about that if it helps the Nets long-term, though it's hard to imagine how supplying assets to move off the Simmons contract does so unless he's that big of a distraction entering next year. Let him play out one more year, then he'll be movable on a one-year deal next July.

Charlotte: Not worried about a supposed rough start for No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller in the California summer league -- shooting 7-for-15 from the field and 4-for-9 from three. Miller turned the ball over 10 times in two games and fouled 15 times, setting off alarms ahead of his Friday face-off with Victor Wembanyama. In recent history, Evan Mobley and Trae Young also struggle in their first summer leagues. Why? Offensively, rookies often land in situations that won't reflect their eventual role. Miller won't often create offense for the Hornets in year one. Shot-making will drive his impact, and while Scoot Henderson may prove a wiser choice long-term, it's never worth drawing from the first two impressions of a player in July. 

Cleveland: Emoni Bates will be one of the top players to watch during this week's summer league. Not only could he create some intrigue by rekindling his form as a top prospect in this class, the Cavaliers need a wing to emerge as evidenced by the Georges Niang and Max Strus additions. Bates becoming a regular contributor in year one would help this roster immensely. That'll require playing complementary basketball next to Cleveland's guards though, and while Las Vegas will present an opportunity for him to light it up in the scoring department, the Cavs will just need him to hit shots.

“(Basketball) just wasn’t fun for me for a minute,” Bates said at his Cavs introduction. “But I found my joy back for sure. Especially this summer, just with my pre-draft, having the people around me and doing therapy. Just took steps for me to get where I’m at for sure." 

Dallas: Added Grant Williams to the front court as a shot-making defender who'll likely share the floor for ample minutes with Luka Dončić, sending two second-round picks to Boston to complete the sign-and-trade for four years, $53 million. Williams brings a vocal presence, 37.9% career three-point shooting and 61 games of career playoff experience. The crafty cap maneuvering also allowed them to offer a three-year, $33 million offer sheet to restricted free agent Matisse Thybulle with the mid-level exception, which Portland decided to match. The Mavericks can still use the MLE elsewhere if they decide to, already hard-capped by signing Seth Curry with the bi-annual exception. Impressive work for a team without cap space, though at a hefty cost -- Dallas also traded Reggie Bullock and an unprotected 2030 first-round pick swap to the Spurs in the Williams deal. 

Detroit: The Pistons' loaded summer roster features recent draft picks Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson Marcus Sasser and Isaiah Livers, along with James Wiseman returning to Las Vegas for a second time. Wiseman showed flashes with the Warriors before a lack of playing time cost him development again before his trade to the Pistons unlocked some of his potential. Ivey and Duren shined as a pick-and-roll combo in year one, while Thompson will get to play off the former in a role similar to the one he'll play with Detroit. Ivey looked back at his first season with The Athletic. 

"This past season was hard," he said. "I’d never been through a season where you lose so many games and play so many games...it’s really embarrassing to win just 17 games. But we have a very talented team...I reflect a lot about things I’ve done over the course of my rookie year, and it helps me prepare for what’s next. The ups and downs individually, all of the losses, I think that’ll all help me for Year 2 … I’m really excited to get started with Monty (Williams) here, to learn from him and all the coaches, which I have been. I’ve been training, really, in Detroit all summer." 

Golden State: The talk of development for the future continues around the Warriors after the team traded Jordan Poole and James Wiseman, moving on from once cornerstone players in their future plans. Steph Curry, Draymond Green and likely Klay Thompson will remain long-term, so how does Golden State prepare for what's next after them? Jonathan Kuminga remains a player who can bridge the now and later, Moses Moody still shows flashes of becoming an effective rotation player while Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis arrived at the wing and big man positions from the draft. Last year showed the difficulties involved in trying to win and develop the youth simultaneously. 

“From the outside looking in, people view player development and they want immediate results,” Steve Kerr said. “But to expect immediate results with this team doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. When you draft 19-year-olds and you say, ‘Hey, this is going to take some time.’ It’s easy to say, but then reality hits and everybody’s saying, ‘Well, why aren’t you developing those guys?’ Well, I would argue that we are developing. We just happen to have a championship team that has a lot of vets playing in front of these guys. So a lot of the development is just happening behind the scenes." 

Houston: Ime Udoka reportedly shut down the Rockets' long-rumored plan to sign James Harden that ended last week when Houston maxed Fred VanVleet and Harden returned to Philadelphia on his player option, demanding a trade. Steve Bulpett spoke to an NBA source who said Udoka expressed Harden would not work in Houston, ending the team's planned pursuit of him. Harden likely would've landed with the Rockets, considering their potential $200-million offer could've exceeded what anyone else would've offered, even Philadelphia, and if the 76ers came through with their four-year max, state tax implications would've slashed the difference. The source considered VanVleet a better move for the Rockets anyway. 

Unfortunately for the Rockets, last year didn't reflect that as Houston's two signings in VanVleet and Dillon Brooks shot as inefficiently as anyone. 

Indiana: Bruce Brown called Tyrese Haliburton influential in his decision to join the Pacers on a two-year deal after drawing interest from the Knicks and other teams, along with the option to return to the defending champion Nuggets. Indiana paid him well, though maintains an out after the first year of the deal, an unusual contract for a player who drew interest and had options elsewhere. Maybe other teams pursued similar contract structure, but if they offered more security, Brown felt good about his ability to thrive next to Haliburton and quickly return to free agency to make more money elsewhere. It's worth noting the Pacers will only earn Early Bird Rights over the length of the deal. Also, Caitlin Cooper expressed interest in Indiana's shooting after the Brown signing and the Obi Toppin trade. 

Clippers: Officially brought back Russell Westbrook, Mason Plumlee and traded for KJ Martin of the Rockets for a pair of second-round picks. Lawrence Frank praised Westbrook's 2023 efforts with the team, LA signing him to a two-year, $7.9 million deal. The James Harden noise quieted for now, though reports point toward LA being his landing spot if Philadelphia moves him. Zach Lowe noted a hesitancy by the Clippers to include Norman Powell and Terence Mann in any Harden deal, though The Athletic reported Powell's name came up in Malcolm Brogdon talks with the Celtics. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George remain without extensions after Frank said in the spring he looked forward to having those conversations. 

Memphis: Introduced Marcus Smart on Friday in Las Vegas, who GM Zach Kleiman called a Grizzlies priority even before Boston and Memphis pivoted toward the three-team deal with the Wizards to bring Kristaps Porziņģis to the Celtics before his player option deadline. Kleiman said the Celtics knew of the Grizzlies' strong interest in Smart as a versatile defender with ample playoff experience. Smart expressed optimism for the fresh start in Memphis, which might've happened even if the Porziņģis deal didn't come to fruition. Kleiman vaguely alluded to Tyus Jones entering talks.

"Early on, this is like the pie in the sky, if there happens to be a way that Boston would engage on (Smart)," Kleiman said. "Obviously there was a transaction that didn't happen earlier in the day before the trade was agreed to with Boston ... we had expressed a very high level of interest and Boston knew that Marcus was someone that we have felt passionate about."

Miami: Remain atop Damian Lillard's wish list as multiple reports indicate he will not play for any team except the Heat. Miami probably needs to bring in a third or even fourth team to compensate the Trail Blazers, who Adrian Wojnarowski indicated will stand firm and not accept marginal offers for Lillard, who's signed through at least 2026. The Heat's assets remain the same individually, Tyler Herro, large salaries like Duncan Robinson's and Kyle Lowry's expiring deal, along with an array of future first-round picks limited by Miami owing its lottery-protected pick to the Thunder in 2025 with a kickback to 2026 if it doesn't convey. That also limits the Heat's ability to trade picks in 2024 and 2027 without amending the pick protections with Oklahoma. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic and other Miami prospects participating in Summer League could round out a competitive package for now.

Milwaukee: Giannis Antetokounmpo underwent left knee surgery that'll likely sideline him through Greece's FIBA World Cup run this summer, giving the star needed rest and recovery after several long seasons and overseas competitions. The Bucks expect Antetokounmpo back from the cleanup, which stemmed from discomfort felt after the team's loss to the Heat in the first round. Milwaukee enters a critical 2024 season that'll begin with Antetokounmpo's extension eligibility. Bringing back Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez on long-term deals signaled the team's intent to spend and win with Giannis' contract running out, and adding Malik Beasley and Robin Lopez could both prove worthy flier moves to pad the team's depth. Regardless, Giannis and Joel Embiid will become the next two superstars to watch over the next few years after disappointing playoff exits. 

New York: Traded Obi Toppin and reportedly working on an Immanuel Quickley extension that could pay him $20 million annually. The Knicks had reportedly shopped Quickley early last year before his emergence as the sixth man of the year runner-up, while the Toppin trade showed difficult decisions that await for New York, balancing youth development, winning now and remaining in play for star trades. Reports connecting them to James Harden don't feel strong, but Quickley soon becoming a high-cost veteran rather than an ascending cheap young player will force the Knicks to choose a path sooner rather than later. Will they wait, play the long game as Quickley, Quintin Grimes and others develop, or will another all-star land here?

Oklahoma City: Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 overall pick who missed his entire rookie season injured, returned to the floor for the Thunder in their first summer league leg and posted 25 points on 9-for-22 shooting across two games. He missed all five threes he tried, but drew 10 free throw attempts and grabbed 20 rebounds while blocking seven shots in an array of twitchy defensive plays. Reintegrating Holmgren could prove a longer version of the learning curve he already faced entering the NBA. He's reportedly up 13 pounds over last summer, according to the team's roster which lists him at 208 pounds. That'll make a difference and time will resolve some of the offensive rust on display in Utah last week. This team might be up next. 

Philadelphia: Brian Windhorst expressed some hope the Sixers and James Harden could reconcile after he opted-in to the final year of his contract and requested a trade. K.C. Johnson reported Philadelphia and Chicago briefly discussed a Zach LaVine trade, though it never moved past a preliminary stage. The Bulls' asking price appears too high to generate legitimate interest, even if their appetite for moving him increased after a swift play-in tournament exit. The 76ers brought Montrezl Harrell back on a one-year deal after he opted out of his player option and added Mo Bamba, potentially in anticipation of losing Paul Reed, who signed an offer sheet with the Jazz on Saturday. Woj later reasserted Harden could end up staying.

Phoenix: Likely to land Bol Bol after the Magic waived the big man to create some roster flexibility. The Suns also pulled off a trade with the Grizzlies to add three second-round picks after Phoenix previously emptied its entire supply of draft picks through 2030 to land Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant.

Portland: Loved Scoot Henderson's Summer League debut, which far exceeded what Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller achieved in their first appearances. Henderson shot and made difficult pull-ups early in the game against the Rockets on Friday before finishing with his explosive driving ability in the lane. He shot 5-for-13 with 15 points, six assists and five rebounds before exiting the game with a shoulder injury that could end his Vegas stint early. He'll miss Sunday's showdown with Wembanyama's Spurs. 

“He has so much fire,” Chauncey Billups said. “He never hangs his head, even when things go bad. And he has an ability to bring guys with him, if that makes sense. At a young age, that’s not easy. And I’ll be honest with you: the fact he played in the G League for the last two years? At 17, he has led men already. He’s been doing this for a while and most people don’t put enough credit on that.”

San Antonio: The Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas filled to near capacity around 6 p.m. to watch Victor Wembanyama's NBA Summer League debut. He blocked five shots and the crowd gasped every time he neared the basketball, but his night finished as a monumental letdown, scoring five points in the first half before finishing with nine on 2-for-13 shooting. Hornets wing Kai Jones dunked on him, and his touches flowed between awkward post-ups, floating catches on the perimeter and in traffic in the lane where he struggled to hold onto the ball. It's hardly panic time and the fanfare, long French season he finished that initially put his summer league appearance in doubt, along with a weird run-in with singer Britney Spears added to the weight of a historic moment that would've been difficult to live up to no matter what. 

The Spurs also extended Gregg Popovich for five years and over $80 million on Saturday. 

Toronto: Fred VanVleet spoke for the first time as a member of the Rockets after departing the Raptors this offseason and called a return to his former team a bad fit as Toronto took a turn toward its youth, building around Scottie Barnes last year in what became an uneven season. The chemistry, on-court fit and eventually the coach Nick Nurse didn't come together in ways that may continue to disband this championship team from four years ago. 

"There was a mix of guys that had been there, new guys trying to prove themselves, and it didn't work out," he said. "It wasn't a great fit, for whatever reason the chemistry didn't click, and that's probably the most I can say about that."

Utah: Signed Paul Reed to a three-year, $23 million offer sheet the 76ers have until Sunday night to match, with non-guaranteed incentives for the second two years triggered by conference finals appearances. That construction makes the deal look more like a way to challenge the Sixers from afar as their ability to build around Joel Embiid becomes more narrow and James Harden's future hangs in the balance.