In a whirlwind 48 hours that left NBA insiders scratching their heads, the Boston Celtics made a head-spinning roster move with former two-way rookie swingman RJ Luis Jr. Just days after waiving the 6-foot-6 St. John’s product, the Celtics have re-signed him to an Exhibit 10 training camp deal, according to Noa Dalzell of CLNS. But the plot thickens: Boston plans to cut Luis again soon, paving the way for him to join their G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, and remain in their developmental system.
Luis, who went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, initially caught on with the Utah Jazz via a two-way contract. The Celtics acquired him in a trade that sent stretch four Georges Niang, a pair of second-round picks, and cash considerations to Utah in exchange for Luis and a trade exception. The move was seen as a low-risk gamble on a raw but athletic wing with upside. However, Luis struggled to make an impression during Boston’s preseason, averaging just 2.0 points on 75 percent shooting and 0.7 rebounds across three healthy games. Apparently, neither the Celtics nor Luis were thrilled with his early showing.
By re-signing him to an Exhibit 10 deal only to cut him again, Boston is strategically positioning Luis to join the Maine Celtics in the G League. If he stays with the affiliate for at least 60 days, Luis could earn a bonus of up to $85,300—a small but meaningful incentive for the young swingman to continue honing his craft within Boston’s system.
This bizarre maneuver with Luis is just one piece of a broader offseason overhaul orchestrated by Celtics president and general manager Brad Stevens. Boston has been aggressively trimming costs, making a series of moves that have reshaped the roster in surprising ways. Earlier this summer, the Celtics traded away oft-injured 3-and-D starting center Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks in a blockbuster three-team deal involving the Brooklyn Nets. In return, Boston reacquired Niang and a second-round pick—a deal that raised eyebrows given Porzingis’ role in their 2024 championship run.
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Stevens didn’t stop there. He also parted ways with six-time All-Defensive Team guard Jrue Holiday, a fan favorite and defensive anchor. Additionally, backup centers Al Horford and Luke Kornet were allowed to walk in free agency, signing with the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs, respectively, after receiving more lucrative offers than Boston was willing to match.
The Celtics’ roster moves come at a challenging time. All-NBA superstar Jayson Tatum is expected to miss most or all of the 2025-26 season as he recovers from a devastating Achilles tendon tear. Without Tatum, Boston is banking on young talent to step up. However, it appears RJ Luis Jr. won’t be among those getting immediate rotation minutes. Instead, players like Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, and Jordan Walsh are poised to compete for significant roles as the Celtics navigate a transitional season.
For RJ Luis Jr., the G League offers a chance to refine his game and prove he belongs in the NBA. His athleticism and size give him the tools to develop into a versatile wing, but he’ll need to show more consistency to climb Boston’s depth chart. Meanwhile, the Celtics’ front office continues to play chess, not checkers, balancing immediate financial flexibility with long-term development. The trade exception acquired in the Luis deal could still prove valuable as Stevens looks to retool the roster around core pieces like Jaylen Brown.
Boston’s flurry of moves has sparked debate across the league. Are the Celtics making savvy financial decisions, or are they dismantling a championship-caliber core too quickly? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the RJ Luis Jr. saga is a microcosm of a wild offseason in Beantown, where no move is too surprising—and every cut comes with a callback.