Breaking down the Celtics' official 21-man training-camp roster

Training camp is just days away. Media Day is Monday, September 28, and that's when the Boston Celtics' season officially kicks off. Well, at least the way-too-early portion.

Boston has 14 players on standard deals, the NBA minimum. The maximum is 15, but the Celtics seem unlikely to fill their final roster spot, so they can maintain some financial and roster-building flexibility heading into the season.

They also have two two-way players currently under contract: Amari Williams and rookie Dillon Mitchell. The Celtics will likely hold a training-camp competition to decide who will earn the final of their three two-way spots.

That's where the last five players come into play. With those 16 players already in place, Boston had room to bring in five guys on Exhibit 10 deals, and that's exactly what they did. But first, let's quickly break down the rest of the roster, sorted by salary:

1. Jayson Tatum

Obviously. In March, Jayson Tatum returned from his Achilles injury. He finished up the regular season and appeared in six of the Celtics' seven first-round playoff games, missing Game 7 due to left knee stiffness.

This year will be a massive test for Tatum. With Jaylen Brown gone, it's his show. He's the unquestioned leader now. The Celtics go how Tatum goes.

A career year from Tatum could help lift the Celtics to a top seed and a deep playoff run. Anything less could result in yet another disappointing year for the guys in green.

2. Paul George

Perhaps the most talked-about man in Boston this summer. Paul George was the return in the Brown trade. Along with a first-round pick, a first-round pick swap, and two second-rounders, George came to Boston from the Philadelphia 76ers in early July.

George addressed it at his first Celtics press conference. He said he understands why the city is upset. He knows that losing a guy like Brown will inevitably draw criticism.

But George can still play. Injury issues will define his season, but if he stays on the court, his 3-point shooting and defensive pressure will fit nicely in the Celtics' lineup.

3. Derrick White

This will be a telling season for Derrick White. Since joining the Celtics, White has been one of the NBA's best role players. An elite defender and a reliable offensive threat. Last year, the latter took a hit.

White was still an elite defender, finishing with a place on the All-Defensive First Team, but his offense fell off a cliff. Though his ball-handling remained solid, his efficiency wasn't nearly as good as in past years.

A leap back to standard would be huge for White and, in turn, for the Celtics next year. Playing next to Tatum more consistently should help. He and White have good on-court chemistry.

4. Mitchell Robinson

The signing of the summer. Boston's splash in free agency. The Celtics inked Mitchell Robinson to a three-year, $47.4 million contract this summer, stealing him away from the NBA Champion New York Knicks.

Robinson will step into a potential battle for the starting spot with Neemias Queta, though it may make more sense to start him. By starting Robinson, the Celtics can avoid teams trying to hack him in the bonus and send him to the free-throw line (where he does not thrive).

For a team that values possessions as much as the Joe Mazzulla Celtics, Robinson is a perfect fit. He's one of the greatest offensive rebounders in NBA history, and Boston loved to crash the glass last year.

5. Sam Hauser

Though some would rather see Mazzulla roll with the young wing rotation more often, Sam Hauser has been one of the Celtics' most dependable players for the last four years.

Last year was the first time Hauser failed to crack the 40% mark from beyond the 3-point arc since before high school, and he still clocked in at 39.3%. His 3-point spacing is essential to Boston's offense, especially with Tatum back and leading the charge.

Over the course of the last three years, only three players have shot at least 39% on at least 350 3-point attempts: Stephen Curry, Isaiah Joe, and Hauser. He's been at the peak of NBA 3-point efficiency.

6. Payton Pritchard

Few players may have a better opportunity than Payton Pritchard this season. Brown is gone, and Pritchard has a chance to step up into the role of the Celtics' secondary offensive creator. And he seems fully capable of taking that opportunity by the reins.

Pritchard was one of the best paint scorers in the league last year, and for a team that could struggle to get downhill, he may be the key to unlocking that part of the offense.

He has a chance to take a leap as a playmaker, too. It feels like Pritchard could take yet another step after improving his scoring last year alongside Brown.

7. Ron Harper Jr.

It's weird to see Ron Harper Jr. as the seventh-highest-paid Celtic. But since Queta and Jordan Walsh's contract extensions don't kick in until next season, he lands here after signing his new contract.

Harper enjoyed plenty of success last season when given the chance to play late in the season. He doesn't really have any holes in his game. Now, it will just be about earning more opportunities.

He shoots the 3-ball fairly well (but could stand to improve), is a solid ball-handler, can defend at a high level, and crashes the glass hard. When he's on the floor, he's going to make an impact.

8. Chris Cenac Jr.

Ah, rookie money. Even a late first-round pick will make more than some of the Celtics' minimum-contract players. Chris Cenac Jr. has potential, but he probably won't play too much this season.

Cenac flashed his talent during Summer League, crashing the boards, blocking shots, and even showing offensive versatility. But a year in Maine could do him good.

With Robinson and Queta eating up a bulk of the Celtics' center minutes, and Luka Garza right behind them, Cenac probably won't have much room to get on the court. That said, some double-big minutes with him at four could be a fun experiment.

9. Hugo Gonzalez

Yet another guy who could be in store for a breakout campaign. Hugo Gonzalez enjoyed an impressive rookie season, and the advanced numbers love him. When Gonzalez is on the court, the Celtics are better off.

Gonzalez could crack the starting lineup, especially if Mazzulla decides to bring Pritchard off the bench. It would help balance out the offense throughout games and add a point-of-attack specialist to the first five.

The 20-year-old Spaniard still has lots of room to grow. He needs to be more consistent from deep range, avoid overaggressive mistakes, and keep improving as a ball-handler. But the raw potential and defensive instincts are there.

10. Luka Garza

Boston signing Robinson will undoubtedly cut into Garza's minutes this season. But he should still earn plenty of playing time throughout the year.

With Robinson's injury history, the Celtics will almost certainly be careful with his minutes. That will open the door for Garza. And even when both Robinson and Queta are active, Garza could still get some looks.

He's the Celtics' only floor-spacing option at the five, unless Mazzulla trusts Cenac this early in his career. Add in his elite offensive rebounding, and there will definitely be nights when Garza is a top center option for Boston.

11. Baylor Scheierman

Gonzalez may end up winning the starting job, but Baylor Scheierman's name will be in the ring for it, too. He's turned himself into a very reliable 3-and-D wing option.

Of the Celtics' young wing group, Scheierman's offense is the most polished. He's not quite the defender that Gonzalez or Walsh is, but he holds up very well on that end. And his 3-point shot is much more consistent.

Scheierman can put the ball on the floor, too. He's flashed enough playmaking potential for the Celtics to hope that he can be a secondary creator on the floor for them at times.

12. Neemias Queta

Even if he ends up coming off the bench for Robinson, Queta is the most important center on the Celtics' roster. They just handed him a shiny new contract, and now he'll need to live up to it.

The Knicks handled Robinson's minutes very carefully last season, and the Celtics will probably do the same. That means Queta will inevitably get the bulk of the big-man minutes.

Queta struggled in the playoffs. Foul trouble caught up to him, and he couldn't stay on the floor when Boston needed him. Outside of working more pick-and-roll opportunities into his game (especially with Tatum), that should be his primary focus next year.

13. Mike Conley

This summer, the Celtics signed Mike Conley to a one-year, veteran's minimum contract. The question is, will he actually be a part of the Celtics' every-night rotation?

To be honest, it seems more likely that the Celtics will rely on Pritchard, White, and Tatum to handle the bulk of the ball-handling, with guys like George, Scheierman, Harper, and even Gonzalez chipping in at times.

That said, Conley still has stuff left in the tank. And if guys miss time or some of the young guys struggle in that spot, Mazzulla won't hesitate to throw Conley into the game.

14. Jordan Walsh

Yet another young wing the Celtics will need to find minutes for. Walsh signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Celtics this summer, but it doesn't kick in until the 2027-28 campaign.

Walsh established himself as a rotation player for the Celtics last season, largely thanks to his impressive defense. Outside of maybe Gonzalez, Walsh has the most defensive potential of Boston's young wings.

However, if he wants to maintain his spot as an every-night guy, his offense still needs some work. If he can stay consistent on that end, he'll be a staple.

15. Amari Williams

Now, we're into the two-way contract. After finishing last season on a standard deal with the Celtics, Amari Williams re-upped on a two-way contract this summer.

Williams earned some spot minutes during his rookie campaign but spent most of the season in Maine. And at Summer League this year, he didn't look amazing.

This will be a prove-it year for Williams, both in Maine and when he earns minutes in Boston. He needs to show that he has the processing speed to play at the NBA level.

16. Dillon Mitchell

Boston drafted Dillon Mitchell with the No. 40 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. There was a small period of time when it looked like he could go back to college, but he eventually inked a two-way deal with the Celtics.

Alongside Gonzalez, Mitchell was the star of the show at Summer League in Las Vegas. He was a monster on defense, a great rebounder, and even showed some potential as a 3-point threat.

Mitchell probably won't play much in Boston this year, but his defense could earn him some opportunities. Before even playing an NBA minute, Mitchell already looks like one of Boston's most intriguing defensive options.

Those guys will be in Boston. The two-ways could eventually get cut or moved around, but for the most part, those are the staples of the roster.

Then, there are the training-camp guys. The five players who, in theory, will be battling it out for the Celtics' final two-way spot during training camp.

1. Milos Uzan

After wrapping up his collegiate career at Houston, Milos Uzan went undrafted this year. The Celtics scooped up the 6-foot-3 guard after the draft, and he played Summer League with Boston.

In his final collegiate season with the Cougars (37 games), the 23-year-old averaged 11.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while shooting 38.0% from the field and 34.3% from deep on 5.7 3-point attempts a night.

Uzan played very well during Summer League. He was a steadying force for Boston's offense and did a great job of keeping them organized.

2. Tucker DeVries

Like Uzan, Tucker DeVries spent Summer League with the Celtics. The 6-foot-7 forward played his final season of college ball at Indiana last year.

In 32 appearances with the Hoosiers, the 23-year-old averaged 13.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.1 assists while shooting 39.7% from the field and 33.3% from distance on 7.7 3-point attempts per game.

DeVries is a solid 3-point shooter, despite his down year last season. He played well during Summer League, but his 3-point shooting was inconsistent, and his defense left something to be desired.

3. Devin Carter

Since getting drafted 13th overall in 2023, Devin Carter, a 6-foot-2 guard, has spent his NBA career with the Sacramento Kings. However, they traded him to the Atlanta Hawks this summer, and he was subsequently waived.

Last year in Sacramento, Carter appeared in 38 games, playing 18.4 minutes per contest. He averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, shooting 41.4% from the field and 26.3% from deep on 3.0 3-point attempts.

The Celtics have had success picking up the Kings' scraps before, as that's what they did when Sacramento waived Queta. However, Carter was also waived by the Hawks. So, he'll have to prove himself in camp.

4. Hayden Gray

Last year, Hayden Gray began the season with the Maine Celtics. He spent most of the year there, but at the tail end of the season, he inked a multi-year deal with the Utah Jazz. However, they let him walk this summer.

In his 48 appearances in Maine last year, Gray averaged 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 2.1 steals while shooting 41.6% from the floor and 33.3% from deep on 3.9 3-point attempts. Gray's 78 regular-season steals set the single-season Maine franchise record.

Gray led the NCAA in steals during his final collegiate campaign in 2024-25. The 23-year-old, 6-foot-4 guard is certainly an intriguing talent.

5. Gabe McGlothan

The Celtics' final addition to their 21-man roster, Gabe McGlothan spent last year with the Noblesville Boom, the Indiana Pacers' G League affiliate. The 6-foot-6 forward is 27 years old and went undrafted in 2024.

In his 37 appearances for the Boom, McGlothan averaged 15.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 52.5% from the field and 39.0% from deep on 4.3 3-point attempts a night.

McGlothan's stats last year took a big leap from his first season in the G League. They are definitely intriguing enough for Boston to want to take a closer look.

As those five players battle it out for a two-way spot, it's important to remember that all are signed to Exhibit 10 deals. That should help the Celtics fill out Maine's roster.

Any player who signs an Exhibit 10 will receive a bonus if they end up playing with that team's G League affiliate after getting waived. That's why the Celtics signed Hank Morgan and Caleb Grill to Exhibit 10s and waived them shortly after. They were being funneled to Maine.

Of the five options, Uzan and Gray stand out to me most. Uzan played well enough at Summer League to warrant a closer look, and his steady hand could be very useful in Boston's backcourt rotation down the line.

As for Gray, he seems like a hustle guy who Mazzulla would like. He's a plug-and-play guard who works hard on defense and has just enough offensive potential to make things work.