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Evaluating Celtics' Options After Waiving Nathan Knight
The Boston Celtics opened up a two-way roster spot on Tuesday by waiving forward Nathan Knight.
The Syracuse, New York native averaged 8.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 22.9 minutes in 12 games with the Maine Celtics this season.
It will be interesting to see if Boston made this decision with a corresponding move in mind. It would make sense if the C's fill their newly created vacancy with another individual who can play the four and the five, like the six-foot-eight forward they just moved on from.
If they go that route, based on who's available from the G League -- not that their options are limited to that talent pool -- Maozinha Pereira, one of the leading rebounders in the NBA's version of Triple-A baseball, merits consideration.
Pereira is pulling down 10.7 rebounds per contest, the third-most among G Leaguers who have played at least ten games. That includes extending nearly three possessions per contest.
He's also swatting almost two shots per tilt. And while he won't stretch the floor, which could stand in the way of him signing with the Celtics, he's averaging 13.8 points per matchup.
A reunion with Justin Jackson is another option the franchise could find intriguing. The former North Carolina Tar Heel, who's inked three deals with Boston, is drilling the second-most threes per game out of the individuals with at least ten appearances in the G League this season.
Now a member of the Texas Legends, Jackson is knocking down 4.0 of his 8.9 three-point attempts (44.8 percent) and generating 20.6 points per contest.
Former Kentucky Wildcat Ashton Hagans, a six-foot-three guard who's dishing out 5.5 assists, is another enticing prospect who could compete with JD Davison.
Perhaps that's not a route the Celtics want to go. But iron sharpens iron, so those two competing to prove they belong with the parent club could benefit all parties.
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