The Boston Celtics made two intriguing signings yesterday. According to Hoophype’s Michael Scotto, the Celtics signed Kendall Brown and Jalen Bridges to Exhibit 10 contracts. Still, the pair of young veterans is expected to compete for a spot on the roster.
Celtics Ink Two Intriguing Youngsters With NBA Experience To Compete With 3 Others For Roster Spots
Both Brown and Bridges played for the Celtics’ Vegas Summer League squad.
Kendall Brown
Brown was selected with the No. 48 draft pick in 2022 by the Minnesota Timberwolves. But Brown never played for the Timberwolves as he was shipped to Indiana along with a 2026 pick swap the following day for cash. He spent two seasons with the Pacers on two-way deals. However, the 22-year-old spent last season with the Long Island Nets.
Brown, who has 21 games of NBA experience, is a highly athletic and versatile forward. Brown is at his best when slashing to the basket. He has demonstrated the ability to be an efficient scorer in the G League. Additionally, he can guard four positions and has expanded his shooting range. He does have show the ability to handle the ball and some ability to be a playmaker.
Brown scored in double-figures in three of the Celtics’ summer league contests and averaged 8.6 points in 15.5 minutes over five appearances. The 6-7 guard also grabbed 1.7 rebounds and doled out 1.0 assist a game while posting shooting splits of 69.2/75.0/80.0. He made at least 50% of his shots in all five appearances.
Jalen Bridges
Bridges went undrafted in 2024 out of Baylor. Bridges signed a two-way contract with Phoenix and spent most of the season with the Suns’ G-League affiliate, Valley Suns. While Bridges demonstrated some ability to shoot the 3-point ball in the G League and college, he struggled in his limited action with the Phoenix Suns. He only saw 30 minutes of action in eight appearances for the Suns.
Known as a “3-and-D” in college, Bridges averaged 8.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in four summer league games for the Celtics. The 24-year-old canned 1.5 threes a game with splits of 40.0/30.0/50.0 over 15.5 minutes a game. He played well in both summer games, seeing substantial minutes, and tallied 16 points against New York and Atlanta. He made 12 of 22 shots in those two contests, including 6 of 16 from deep.
Last Word
Boston is expected to carry 14 players on standard contracts to open the season. The Celtics currently have 14 players on standard contracts, although only 12 players have fully guaranteed contracts. More significantly, the Celtics’ goal this offseason has been to reduce their tax bill. They are still $12 million over the luxury tax.
Neemias Queta and Jordan Walsh are the players whose salary aren’t fully guaranteed. Half of Queta’s $2.37 million contract is currently guaranteed and he is expected to compete for the Celtics starting center job. So, he is guaranteed to make the squad.
Walsh has just a $200,000 guarantee, though that number increases to half of his $2.2 million salary if he is not waived before opening night. He has 61 games of NBA experience.
While the 6-7 forward has struggled offensively, he is known more for his defense. He scored 20 points in his lone G-League appearance this past season and reached double-figures in four of his five 2025 summer league appearances. Overall, he compiled 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1,0 steals with shooting splits of 46.3/38.9/65.2.
Given Walsh’s improvement and defensive abilities, he is also likely to make the team. However, it is conceivable that the Celtics will be able to unload Anfernee Simons before the season.
Scotto did mention that Bridges and Brown are going to compete for a two-way spot. The thing is, the Celtics already have three players signed to minor league deals: Max Shulga, Amari Williams, and RJ Luis Jr. This means they will be competing with those three players.
Boston also signed Ron Harper Jr. and Hayden Gray to Exhibit 10 deals. Harper Jr., who has 11 games of NBA experience, will also likely be part of the competition for the Celtics’ two-way spots.
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