Celtics Cut Rookie Guard Ahead of Training Camp

Michigan Wolverines guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) spilts the defense of UC San Diego Tritons forward Nordin Kapic (24) and guard Hayden Gray (3) during the second period of the first round of the NCAA tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado for . | Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics continue to make adjustments to their roster ahead of the official start of training camp.

A Boston rookie has been waived prior to the start of training camp. But his story with the team isn't over just yet.

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Per Keith Smith of Spotrac, Boston has cut rookie guard Hayden Gray, who had been picked up after going undrafted out of the University of California at San Diego.

As Smith notes, Gray had been inked to an Exhibit 10 deal, and will now link up with Boston's G League affiliate squad, the Maine Celtics, to tip off the 2025-26 season on an affiliate deal.

The Boston Celtics have waived Hayden Gray.

Gray was signed to an Exhibit 10 contract. He's expected to join the Maine Celtics of the G League to start this season.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) September 20, 2025

Gray's expected run with the Maine Celtics could pay off in more ways than one — beyond him just being potentially considered for a future two-way slot or 10-day contract.

Players inked to Exhibit 10 contracts who get cut and link up with those same teams' NBAGL squads become eligible for bonuses worth up to $85,300, if they remain rostered for at least 60 days.

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Gray's departure leaves three more Exhibit 10 signings on Boston's roster heading into camp: swingman Ron Harper Jr., small forward Jalen Bridges, and shooting guard/small forward Kendall Brown.

At present, three rookie draft picks occupy Boston's three two-way openings: shooting guard Max Shulga, wing RJ Luis Jr., and center Amari Williams. But two players on the Celtics' standard 15-man roster, small forward Jordan Walsh and center Neemias Queta, are only on partially guaranteed deals. Thus, there is an opportunity for one of these two-way signings to move up to a standard agreement, and for an Exhibit 10 player to be slotted into a two-way gig.

Sussing Out the Fringes of Boston's Roster

Queta, 26, appears primed to compete for the Celtics' starting center role, along with free agent signings Chris Boucher (who has the athleticism to also earn Boston's starting power forward gig) and Luka Garza. He seems all but certain to have his money guaranteed. Walsh, another homegrown product, may have a chance to earn real rotation minutes during a "gap year" Boston season sans six-time All-Star Jayson Tatum.

In theory, the Celtics could also promote an Exhibit 10 signing to a two-way deal and then from there level him up into a standard agreement, although that trajectory is rare.

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