Brad Stevens may still have plenty of explaining to do after moving Jaylen Brown, but the Celtics’ front office has at least given fans one thing to point to over the past few days: a couple of rookie flashes that suggest the talent evaluation is still very much intact.
Boston’s draft picks, Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell, have both stood out in Summer League, and their early play has only reinforced the idea that Stevens can identify young talent. That’s been part of the story for a while now, especially with the contributions Boston has gotten from Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, and Hugo Gonzalez over the last three drafts, in that exact order.
Cenac made the loudest first impression in the Celtics’ opening game against Toronto. He brought energy on the glass, protected the rim, and then delivered the moment that turned heads: a game-tying three that helped send Boston on to an overtime win.
He didn’t repeat that exact performance in the next game, but Mitchell picked up the slack against Charlotte. Mitchell looked like a defensive demon and also showed some signs that he could eventually help as a floor-spacer in Boston’s win.
Of course, Summer League comes with a giant Las Vegas-sized grain of salt. Still, the early returns matter, and both players have at least shown why the Celtics used picks on them.
And there may be a path to more meaningful minutes than people expect.
Boston has built a deep roster, but the additions of Paul George and Mitchell Robinson - both valuable and injury-prone - could create opportunities elsewhere. The plan with those two is to keep them fresh for playoff time, which likely means managing their workloads Al Horford-style.
That kind of setup could open the door for other players. The Celtics are crowded on the wing, but if injuries hit, Mitchell could find himself in the mix. Cenac’s road may be a little less crowded, too, since the only bigs clearly ahead of him are Robinson, Neemias Queta, and Luka Garza.
Neither rookie is likely to be asked to carry much right away. Even so, Summer League has offered a useful glimpse of what Boston may have in them down the line.
In Other News...
Celtics Fans Just Got The Dillon Mitchell Sign They Were Hoping For
The Celtics kept rolling in Las Vegas, moving to 2-0 at NBA Summer League with a win over the Hornets, and Dillon Mitchell was at the center of it. Bostons No. 40 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft led the way with 24 points, while also piling up eight rebounds, six steals and two blocks in a performance that gave the team plenty to like on both ends.
Mitchells value for Boston has always been tied to his energy and versatility, but this was a more complete showing than the one he put together in college. He attacked the glass, created turnovers and looked far more comfortable as a scorer, the kind of all-around line that can make a front office take notice even in the middle of summer league. The bigger question now is whether this was a one-night flash or the first real sign that he can carry that growth into the next stage. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Just Made A Franchise Shaking Bet Fans Will Debate
The Celtics have taken a swing that will reshape the roster and the conversation around it, adding Paul George and future draft picks in a move that signals a willingness to chase a different kind of ceiling. According to the teams official release, the deal comes with multiple future selections and conditions attached, the sort of fine print that can matter just as much as the headline in a trade this large.
George arrives with plenty of name value, but also with real questions after two seasons in Philadelphia that were defined by injuries and uneven production. Boston is betting that the version of George it gets now can still tilt a playoff race, while the draft compensation gives the front office some insulation if the fit is not as seamless as the price tag suggests. [Read more 🡒]
Jordan Walsh Knows What Could Keep Him Off The Floor Late
Jordan Walsh spent last season carving out a real place in Bostons rotation, getting into 68 games and showing why the Celtics value his defensive versatility. He also flashed enough on offense to make this summer feel important, because the next step for a young wing on a contender is rarely about effort or activity. It is about becoming someone the coaching staff can trust when the game tightens and possessions get harder to find.
Walsh said during Summer League that his focus is on becoming a better scorer and playmaker, with the goal of giving himself more ways to stay on the floor late. He knows the margin is thin for wings in Boston, especially with the roster shifting around him, and he has pointed to the need to improve his shot, handle and ability to create his own offense in small pockets. The opportunity is there for him to grow into a bigger role, but so is the pressure to prove he can be more than a specialist when the Celtics need a bucket. [Read more 🡒]