As the Boston Celtics gear up for training camp later this month, they’ve made a bold and exciting addition to their roster, signaling their intent to leave no stone unturned in their quest to defend their NBA title. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Celtics have signed free agent small forward Jalen Bridges, a 6-foot-7 scoring dynamo who lit up the G League last season and is now poised to compete for a coveted roster spot.
Bridges, a 24-year-old undrafted rookie out of Baylor, is no stranger to proving himself. After kicking off his college career at West Virginia and later earning Third Team All-Big 12 honors with the Bears, he turned heads in the G League last season with the Valley Suns, Phoenix’s affiliate. In 31 games, Bridges showcased his scoring prowess, averaging an impressive 14.3 points per game on .425/.386/.794 shooting splits, while adding 5.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks per night. His ability to contribute on both ends of the floor made him a standout, even if his NBA minutes with the Phoenix Suns were limited—averaging 1.1 points in just 3.8 minutes across eight games.
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This summer, Bridges donned a Celtics jersey in the Las Vegas Summer League, where he continued to flash his potential. Though his minutes were sparse, he averaged 8.0 points on .444/.300/.500 shooting, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 0.5 assists per game. His defensive tenacity and ability to stretch the floor with his shooting caught the attention of Boston’s front office, leading to this intriguing training camp deal.
While the terms of Bridges’ contract remain undisclosed, Scotto reports that it’s likely a training camp agreement, with the versatile wing vying for a two-way contract. The Celtics currently have rookies Amari Williams, Max Shulga, and RJ Luis occupying their three two-way slots, meaning Bridges will need to outshine one of these first-year players—or hope for a roster shakeup—to secure his spot. With 12 players currently signed to Boston’s 15 standard roster spots, and the contracts of center Neemias Queta and wing Jordan Walsh not fully guaranteed until opening night, there’s still room for maneuvering. Could Bridges be the missing piece to complete Boston’s championship puzzle?
Bridges isn’t the only new face in Boston’s training camp. He’ll be joined by fellow camp signees Hayden Gray, a dynamic guard, and Ron Harper Jr., a wing with championship pedigree as the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper Sr. and older brother to San Antonio Spurs rookie Dylan Harper. Together, this trio of hungry newcomers will look to make an impact and earn their place among Boston’s stacked roster.
The Celtics’ decision to bring in Bridges is a low-risk, high-reward gamble that underscores their commitment to depth and versatility. At 6-foot-7, Bridges offers the size, athleticism, and shooting touch to thrive in Boston’s switch-heavy defensive schemes and fast-paced offense. His G League numbers suggest he’s more than capable of contributing at the NBA level, and his Summer League performance showed flashes of a player ready to seize his moment.
As training camp looms, all eyes will be on Bridges to see if he can translate his G League dominance into a meaningful role with the Celtics. Could this undrafted gem become the next breakout star for the defending champions? One thing’s for sure: Boston’s latest move has added an electrifying new layer to an already thrilling roster.