Welcome to Boston/Maine Celtics, RJ Luis, Jr. (Two-Way, Aug. 5, 2025)

[Parliament10]

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[djFan71]

Pre-draft link dump on RJ:

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/a-scouts-eyes-rj-luis-jr-takes-center

https://www.babcockhoops.com/post/2025-nba-draft-rj-luis-jr-scouting-report

https://edemirnba.substack.com/p/rj-luis-scouting-report

[Marvel]

Brad found our 3 and D guy?

[phincsfan]

I bet he outplays Walsh

[darrendaye]

Pre-draft link dump on RJ:

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/a-scouts-eyes-rj-luis-jr-takes-center

https://www.babcockhoops.com/post/2025-nba-draft-rj-luis-jr-scouting-report

https://edemirnba.substack.com/p/rj-luis-scouting-report

It doesn't ease the sting that they could have just signed him a few weeks ago.

[return2glory]

I watched some of RJ's games last year. He had a great season but had a disappointing final game of his college career in the tournament. RJ is a pretty good player with a lot of talent. I hope we keep him and he makes the team.

Watch on YouTube

[Hal14]

I think we might just waive him.

Maybe he was only involved in the deal so that Boston was receiving *something* in this deal, so it wasn't just us giving a player + picks to Utah.

Like, he's on a 2-way but we already have Shulga and Norris on a 2-way. And it was reported on draft night when we selected Amari that he was gonna be on a 2-way as well.

So I'm guessing that either he gets waived in the next few days..or he goes to training camp and competes for that 2-way slot with Norris..one of them gets it, the other gets waived..and possibly gets an affiliate roster spot in Maine after getting waived..

There's a reason Luis went undrafted. He's a wing with shooting concerns. Not an elite defender, not much of a passer. Athleticism is pretty good, as is his driving ability and ability to get out in transition and finish. And he's 22, will be 23 in November so an older prospect too.

I suppose if he really hits, he could be kind of like a Caleb Martin type. So I don't mind taking the swing on him..it's just a 2-way deal so very little risk..just not sure there will be a 2-way available to him, with Amari, Shulga and Norris here..

[31to6]

I think we might just waive him.

Maybe he was only involved in the deal so that Boston was receiving *something* in this deal, so it wasn't just using giving a player + picks to Utah.

Like, he's on a 2-way but we already have Shulga and Norris on a 2-way. And it was reported on draft night when we selected Amari that he was gonna be on a 2-way as well.

So I'm guessing that either he gets waived in the next few days..or he goes to training camp and competes for that 2-way slot with Norris..one of them gets it, the other gets waived..and possibly gets an affiliate roster spot in Maine after getting waived..

I can't claim to know how 2-way deals work in detail, but might as well let RJ come to camp and compete against Shulga, Norris, Gonzalez, Walsh, Minnot, and Scheierman? God that's a LOT of developmental ie crappy wings. Might as well let them go head to head in camp and see who looks worth keeping. (Not suggesting guys with guaranteed contracts like Baylor and Josh M. would be cut, just that they should be in the equation for estimating 'how good is this RJ kid?' in camp)

[Parliament10]

I think we might just waive him.

Maybe he was only involved in the deal so that Boston was receiving *something* in this deal, so it wasn't just using giving a player + picks to Utah.

Like, he's on a 2-way but we already have Shulga and Norris on a 2-way. And it was reported on draft night when we selected Amari that he was gonna be on a 2-way as well.

So I'm guessing that either he gets waived in the next few days..or he goes to training camp and competes for that 2-way slot with Norris..one of them gets it, the other gets waived..and possibly gets an affiliate roster spot in Maine after getting waived..

I can't claim to know how 2-way deals work in detail, but might as well let RJ come to camp and compete against Shulga, Norris, Walsh, Minnot, and Scheierman? God that's a LOT of developmental ie crappy wings. Might as well let them go head to head in camp and see who looks worth keeping. (Not suggesting guys with guaranteed contracts like Baylor and Josh M. would be cut, just that they should be in the equation for estimating 'how good is this RJ kid?' in camp)

Yeah. The Kid can get cut, after today. That may be the route that is taken.

[31to6]

Even if he's the 10th wing on the Celtics depth chart, I appreciate that he is described as strong and scrappy, with good effort on defense.

[redslastlaugh]

Yea, could be the case. I really haven't been that impressed with Norris though so I'd probably rather lose Norris and keep Luis. At least we haven't seen RJ Luis yet and he brings the element of the unknown and the intrigue of having some Evan Turner-y ball skills that Norris doesnt

I think we might just waive him.

Like, he's on a 2-way but we already have Shulga and Norris on a 2-way. And it was reported on draft night when we selected Amari that he was gonna be on a 2-way as well.

So I'm guessing that either he gets waived in the next few days..or he goes to training camp and competes for that 2-way slot with Norris..one of them gets it, the other gets waived..and possibly gets an affiliate roster spot in Maine after getting waived..

[doogie_hauser]

I didn't want any part of Niang so happy to have him and his contract off our books

[Dogen]

RJ Luis Jr. IS walking through that door, Rick.

Watch on YouTube

[Smart2Nesmith43]

I don't think I've ever seen a GM trade for a two way guy before (yes I'm aware the move was more about cutting Niang's salary) so it's nice to know that Stevens can still get creative within the boundaries of this CBA and the cheapskate new ownership.

Can't say I know enough about RJ Luis to have a strong opinion on his game. I wish him luck in Maine.

I'm curious to see how the two way situation will play out. Amari Williams still hasn't signed and all three two ways are now filled. Assuming this was in the works for a few days, it makes it fascinating that they decided to lock Shulga in first despite drafting him lower and knowing the roster crunch was coming.

[cl2117]

I assume he comes in and competes for a two-way?

He's the same caliber prospect as Shugla and Amari Williams, so I wouldn't be surprised if he won a two-way spot if they like what they see and/or the other guys falter.

Versatile wing defender with questionable jump shot. Tale as old as time. I'm happy to kick the tires on this kind of archetype as often as Brad see's fit because while they are a dime a dozen if you can actually hit on the guy who does develop that outside shot then you've hit the jackpot in terms of cheap bench depth. Lou Dort being aprime example for OKC as a defensive guy who went undrafted and turned a corner offensively.

[ThePigeon]

I don't think I've ever seen a GM trade for a two way guy before (yes I'm aware the move was more about cutting Niang's salary) so it's nice to know that Stevens can still get creative within the boundaries of this CBA and the cheapskate new ownership.

Can't say I know enough about RJ Luis to have a strong opinion on his game. I wish him luck in Maine.

I'm curious to see how the two way situation will play out. Amari Williams still hasn't signed and all three two ways are now filled. Assuming this was in the works for a few days, it makes it fascinating that they decided to lock Shulga in first despite drafting him lower and knowing the roster crunch was coming.

This
There is a discussion on the Shulga thread exactly about this

By signing him you limit your options, and promising and signing a 57th pick is a head scratch

[Hal14]

I think we might just waive him.

Maybe he was only involved in the deal so that Boston was receiving *something* in this deal, so it wasn't just using giving a player + picks to Utah.

Like, he's on a 2-way but we already have Shulga and Norris on a 2-way. And it was reported on draft night when we selected Amari that he was gonna be on a 2-way as well.

So I'm guessing that either he gets waived in the next few days..or he goes to training camp and competes for that 2-way slot with Norris..one of them gets it, the other gets waived..and possibly gets an affiliate roster spot in Maine after getting waived..

I can't claim to know how 2-way deals work in detail, but might as well let RJ come to camp and compete against Shulga, Norris, Gonzalez, Walsh, Minnot, and Scheierman? God that's a LOT of developmental ie crappy wings. Might as well let them go head to head in camp and see who looks worth keeping. (Not suggesting guys with guaranteed contracts like Baylor and Josh M. would be cut, just that they should be in the equation for estimating 'how good is this RJ kid?' in camp)

Yeah, why not. The internal competition between all of those developmental wings + the internal competition of having 4 guys compete for 3 2-way spots could fun..dudes would really be going hard in camp and in preseason..

[Hal14]

I don't think I've ever seen a GM trade for a two way guy before (yes I'm aware the move was more about cutting Niang's salary) so it's nice to know that Stevens can still get creative within the boundaries of this CBA and the cheapskate new ownership.

Can't say I know enough about RJ Luis to have a strong opinion on his game. I wish him luck in Maine.

I'm curious to see how the two way situation will play out. Amari Williams still hasn't signed and all three two ways are now filled. Assuming this was in the works for a few days, it makes it fascinating that they decided to lock Shulga in first despite drafting him lower and knowing the roster crunch was coming.

This
There is a discussion on the Shulga thread exactly about this

By signing him you limit your options, and promising and signing a 57th pick is a head scratch

We didn't promise him anything. We didn't limit any options. All 2-way contracts are non-guaranteed.

Anyone on a 2-way can get waived at any time, with no penalty to their team. Guys have signed 2-way deals and been waived like 3 days later plenty of times.

However, it's not a head scratch at all to sign the 57th pick to a 2-way. It would be poor asset management to draft a player anywhere in the draft and not sign him to standard contract or a 2-way.

NBA teams pour hours and hours of research, interviews, in person evaluations, watching film, crunching numbers, etc. there's a lot that goes into a drafting a guy and you don't do it unless you see a legit development path and a legit path for that player to possibly contribute down the road for you.

Teams don't draft guys and then not sign them. That's not something that happens, except maybe in very very rare cases. Guys who get drafted either sign a standard contract, a 2-way or get stashed overseas.

[phincsfan]

Yea, could be the case. I really haven't been that impressed with Norris though so I'd probably rather lose Norris and keep Luis. At least we haven't seen RJ Luis yet and he brings the element of the unknown and the intrigue of having some Evan Turner-y ball skills that Norris doesnt

I think we might just waive him.

Like, he's on a 2-way but we already have Shulga and Norris on a 2-way. And it was reported on draft night when we selected Amari that he was gonna be on a 2-way as well.

So I'm guessing that either he gets waived in the next few days..or he goes to training camp and competes for that 2-way slot with Norris..one of them gets it, the other gets waived..and possibly gets an affiliate roster spot in Maine after getting waived..

IMO, the Norris 2way signing (back in March) was to build on the 3 point shooting barrage game plan with that current core. Maybe he could have replaced Sam which would have helped the cap for this season.

Once JT went down, that game plan went out the door. Could Norris still replace Sam? Maybe, but there's more options now.

He's older and has all the big league experience that Luis doesn't, but is Luis more moldable at 22 rather than Norris at 25? They'll both be cheap, but the 2way slots are limited.

Maybe Stevens can snag back a couple of 2nd's for Norris and keep that 2way open.

Norris is bigger than Luis, but is Norris a one trick pony at this point in his career and IMO for a potential rebuild year is that what they need? Maybe Luis turns into something with a few more tools.

[Hal14]

Yea, could be the case. I really haven't been that impressed with Norris though so I'd probably rather lose Norris and keep Luis. At least we haven't seen RJ Luis yet and he brings the element of the unknown and the intrigue of having some Evan Turner-y ball skills that Norris doesnt

I think we might just waive him.

Like, he's on a 2-way but we already have Shulga and Norris on a 2-way. And it was reported on draft night when we selected Amari that he was gonna be on a 2-way as well.

So I'm guessing that either he gets waived in the next few days..or he goes to training camp and competes for that 2-way slot with Norris..one of them gets it, the other gets waived..and possibly gets an affiliate roster spot in Maine after getting waived..

IMO, the Norris 2way signing (back in March) was to build on the 3 point shooting barrage game plan with that current core. Maybe he could have replaced Sam which would have helped the cap for this season.

Once JT went down, that game plan went out the door. Could Norris still replace Sam? Maybe, but there's more options now.

He's older and has all the big league experience that Luis doesn't, but is Luis more moldable at 22 rather than Norris at 25? They'll both be cheap, but the 2way slots are limited.

Maybe Stevens can snag back a couple of 2nd's for Norris and keep that 2way open.

Norris is bigger than Luis, but is Norris a one trick pony at this point in his career and IMO for a potential rebuild year is that what they need? Maybe Luis turns into something with a few more tools.

I just think we signed Norris because we simply liked him (at the time) more than Watson. So we waived Watson and filled that open 2-way slot with Norris.

At the time, both Watson and Norris were about the same age.

But from reports, Watson was not really developing as we had hoped as a rookie..he wasn't putting in the work, wasn't improving his jumper.

And his defense in Maine didn't seem that great either. Reports said the team was no longer seeing him as a guy who could eventually contribute for the big club so they waived him.

And Norris was a guy with size, shooting and decent athleticism. Taller than Watson, better shooter than Watson, more athleticism so worth a look.

Norris looked ok but not great in summer league. He might stick around on his 2-way but it wouldn't shock me if he gets waived so we can go with Shulga/Luis/Amari for the 2-way spots.

Maybe a training camp battle between Luis and Norris for that 2-way spot?