In a ruthless roster move, the Boston Celtics waived two-way forward Miles Norris on Sunday, severing ties with a sharpshooting talent to make room for second-round draft pick Amari Williams. The decision comes on the heels of Boston filling their other two-way slots with Max Shulga and rookie RJ Luis Jr., acquired in last week’s Georges Niang trade. The Celtics, it seems, are betting on Luis’ raw potential over Norris’ proven three-point prowess, a gamble that could reshape their depth chart.
Norris, 25, inked a two-year, two-way deal with Boston in March after the team parted ways with second-round pick Anton Watson. Before landing with the Celtics, Norris had been lighting up the G-League with the Memphis Hustle, draining 38.5% of his 8.6 three-point attempts per game. His hot hand carried over to the Maine Celtics, where he shot an impressive 38.7% from deep on 7.8 attempts, averaging 14.5 points and 6.3 rebounds across eight games. In the G-League playoffs, Norris was nearly unstoppable, torching opponents by hitting 14 of 22 threes. His game, while heavily reliant on long-range shooting, paired elite marksmanship with a 6-7 frame—a coveted combination in today’s NBA. Yet, despite his sharpshooting, Norris couldn’t secure consistent NBA minutes, appearing in just three games for Boston after stints with Atlanta and Memphis.
Enter RJ Luis Jr., a 23-year-old rookie with a high ceiling but an unpolished resume. Signed by the Utah Jazz as an undrafted free agent in July before being traded to Boston, Luis brings a different flavor to the roster. A Miami native, he played his last two college seasons at St. John’s under Rick Pitino, earning Big East Player of the Year honors in 2025. After a freshman year at UMass, where he made the Atlantic 10 All-Freshman team, Luis battled injuries as a sophomore before exploding for 18.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game on 43.9% shooting (33.6% from three) as a junior. His NCAA Tournament performance was a mixed bag: a 22-point, eight-rebound outburst against Omaha, followed by a 3-for-17 clunker in a loss to Arkansas.
At the NBA Combine, Luis’ athleticism turned heads. Measuring 6-6 without shoes, with a 6-10.5 wingspan and a 38-inch max vertical, he showcased the tools to be a defensive menace. His active hands, screen navigation, and knack for steals—averaging over one per game in college—earned praise from The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie. Luis also ranked third among Vecenie’s top-100 prospects for transition scoring, averaging 4.4 points per game in fast-break situations. However, his combine performance wasn’t flawless; he was turnover-prone and overly trigger-happy, and his 31.4% career three-point shooting (70-for-223) lags behind Norris’ G-League efficiency.
The contrast between the two players is stark. Norris, a one-dimensional but elite shooter, struggled defensively, a flaw that likely capped his NBA upside. Luis, meanwhile, offers versatility, athleticism, and defensive promise but needs to refine his shooting and decision-making. In Summer League, Norris went 2-for-9 from the field (2-for-7 from three) in three games for Boston, while Luis sat out with knee soreness, leaving his immediate impact a mystery.
Boston’s decision to prioritize Luis over Norris signals a shift toward youth and potential. With Maine, Luis will have a chance to hone his skills, potentially outpacing the opportunities Norris had this season. The Celtics’ roster now stands at 19 of 21 training camp spots, with one standard contract and one two-way slot—likely earmarked for Amari Williams—still open.
For Norris, the cut marks a harsh end to his Boston tenure. At 25, his NBA dream isn’t over, but the path just got steeper. For Luis, it’s a golden opportunity to prove the Celtics’ gamble was worth it. Will the rookie wild card pay off, or did Boston let a sharpshooting gem slip away? Only time will tell.