Dillon Mitchell is officially a Boston Celtic, signing a two-way contract and putting to bed all the wild talk about him heading back to St. John’s for another collegiate season. This wasn’t some quiet signing, folks, not after reports just days ago threw the whole thing into question. For a minute there, it felt like we might lose our No. 40 overall pick before he even truly got started with us.
That St. John’s Drama? So Glad It’s Over!
Seriously, the speculation this week was insane. Mitchell, the 6-foot-8 forward, was reportedly eyeing a fifth season in college thanks to an NCAA appeal process, and with a lucrative NIL deal possibly waiting for him, it made everyone nervous. The fact he remained unsigned fueled that fire, and you just know everyone in the organization was sweating. CLNS’ Bobby Manning even highlighted the high stakes, pointing out that if Mitchell *did* go back to school, retaining his draft rights beyond next year’s draft wasn’t a guarantee. Can you imagine losing a guy like that? Talk about a bullet dodged. Now, Boston can finally move forward, developing this promising talent without all that eligibility drama hanging over their heads.
Summer League Star Stays Home
Why were we all so on edge about Mitchell? Because the dude was a legitimate standout in Las Vegas Summer League, plain and simple. He averaged a solid 13.0 points, 2.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks, flashing exactly the kind of defensive versatility and relentless motor that screamed “future Celtic.” You love to see it. He even knocked down 37.5 percent of his three-point attempts, which, yeah, was on limited volume, but it’s an encouraging sign as he continues to round out his offensive game. Brad Stevens and the front office have always prioritized long, switchable defenders, and Mitchell fits that archetype perfectly. We’ve seen similar young wings like Jordan Walsh and Hugo González show encouraging returns, so the investment in Mitchell is absolutely par for the course. He’s a developmental prospect, no doubt, but one with serious upside.
What’s Next for Dillon and the Roster?
This two-way contract is huge for Mitchell, giving him the perfect opportunity to split time between the big club in Boston and the Maine Celtics, ensuring he gets consistent development. He now joins center Amari Williams as the second player on a two-way deal for us, with one spot still open as we head into training camp. Right now, the Celtics have 14 roster players, plus these two two-way guys, and two training camp invites, bringing the preseason total to 18 players. You know that camp roster is only going to grow in the coming month, but having Mitchell locked in provides some welcome clarity. No more questions about eligibility or draft rights. Just pure development. It’s a good day to be a Celtics fan.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
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