Ramp to Camp: Which two-way player will help the Celtics the most? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Even on a team like the Boston Celtics that is overflowing with depth, the two-way contract can be a valuable asset.
That pact provided the runway for Sam Hauser to stick with Boston as an undrafted rookie in 2021 then develop into a key rotation presence. Last season, Neemias Queta provided such consistent minutes when Boston’s frontcourt depth was depleted that he was promoted from a two-way place to the parent before the title race.
For the 11th installment in ours Ramp to Camp series, we asked our NBC Sports Boston panel to pick the two-way player most likely to make an impact on the Celtics during the 2024-25 season.
(Check the first ten installments of Ramp to Camp here.)
The Celtics’ three two-way players entering camp are 2022 second-round pick JD Davison, 2024 second-round pick Anton Watson, and undrafted Drew Peterson, who signed with the team in a two-way deal last December. All three will spend much of their time with the Maine Celtics, but who is most likely to sneak onto the court during their visits to Boston?
Davison has shown intriguing flashes in his first two seasons with the Celtics and his speed is undeniable, but a loaded guard depth chart on the parent roster clogs any path to consistent playing time. He’s still only 21 years old, but the clock is ticking a bit entering year 3.
Peterson shot 36.9 percent on 6.1 3-point attempts per game last season in Maine, and while he needs to show he can make the same strides Hauser did defensively, there is hope the 6-foot-9 wing can finally follow Hauser-. as a plan. He will turn 25 early in the new season.
But Boston’s potential need for frontcourt depth makes Watson our pick for the most likely to be thrown into the NBA fire during the 2024-25 season.
We don’t want to overreact to Summer League but Watson has shown some promising versatility in Vegas. He provides size and can defend multiple positions. He shot a solid 35 percent on four 3-point attempts per game at Summer League and averaged 11.8 points and 5.2 rebounds in 24.4 minutes per game.
The Celtics need to put Watson in the film room with Al Horford and have the veteran big man load him with knowledge. Watson will turn 24 before the start of the regular season, and with five years of college play at Gonzaga, might be a little more NBA ready than most recruits.
When healthy, Boston has a solid top nine. Queta has proven he can provide solid minutes as well, while Xavier Tillman should be more comfortable after getting hitched midway through last season. Lonnie Walker IV has proven he can be a reliable scorer off the bench at the NBA level if he sticks on a roster.
Jaden Springer, Jordan Walsh, and rookie Baylor Scheierman will all look to carve out roles on the parent roster as well, which could limit the opportunity for Boston’s two-way players.
Here’s who our panel picked for the two-way player most likely to make an impact:
John ThomasColumnt: Drew Peterson
He considers Derrick White an inspiration and is following Sam Hauser’s path to Boston, so let’s go with Peterson, an undrafted 6-9 bomber who lit it up at Maine last year.
Tom GilesMultiplatform host: JD Davison
I have to give the nod to Davison based on experience. We’ve seen some players make steady improvements, and if Davison can do the same, he could find his way onto the floor.
Darren HartwellManaging Editor: Anton Watson
The 23-year-old is a versatile defender with a big frame (6-foot-8, 225 pounds) and a strong outside shot (41.2 percent from 3-point range with Gonzaga last season). That’s a valuable skill for Joe Mazzulla, who could use Watson as a big in some small-ball lineups.
Nick GossOnline Producer: Drew Peterson
Peterson has some advantages. For starters, he’s a pretty good shooter. He hit 36.7 percent of his 3-pointers with the Maine Celtics last season. Peterson is also 6-foot-9, so he gives the Celtics a little more positional versatility than JD Davison (6-foot-1).
He is a good free throw shooter (81.5 percent) as well and finished second on the Maine Celtics in rebounding (7.4 per game) last season.
Justin LegerOnline Producer: Drew Peterson
To be clear, I don’t think any of them have much impact. But since we’re talking best CHANCE, I’ll go with Peterson. If Sam Hauser ever goes down, Peterson might get the chance to fill his shoes as a shooter off the bench. He shot 37 percent from deep last year with Maine.
Davison is buried on the guard depth chart and Watson needs time to develop in Portland.
Kevin Miller, VP, Content: Anton Watson
Most likely none of them, but I’ll go with Watson. I think he can play a pro game at a position where they don’t have as much depth.
