5:40pm: Both Gabriel and DJ Steward have been officially waived by the Celtics, per NBA.com’s transactions log.
9:56am: The Celtics are placing big man Wenyen Gabriel on waivers ahead of the regular season, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
A four-year NBA veteran, Gabriel spent last season with the Lakers, appearing in 68 games and averaging 5.5 points and 4.2 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per night.
Gabriel signed with Boston at the start of training camp after the team included Robert Williams in its trade package for Jrue Holiday. Given the hit the Celtics’ frontcourt depth took in that deal, it appeared the 26-year-old had a path to a regular season roster spot.
However, Gabriel only received a non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 contract, which offered no assurances beyond training camp and the preseason, and he was outperformed by two-way player Neemias Queta this month. Boston has also typically kept a 15-man roster spot open into the regular season in recent years, notes Jared Weiss of The Athletic (Twitter link).
In addition to their 10 players with guaranteed salaries, the Celtics have Luke Kornet, Svi Mykhailiuk, Dalano Banton, and Lamar Stevens on partially guaranteed or non-guaranteed deals, with DJ Steward on an Exhibit 10 pact. It seems likely that Steward will be cut when Boston sets its regular season roster, with the other four making the team, though that has yet to be confirmed.
As for Gabriel, it’s unclear where his next stop might be. Since his contract with Boston didn’t include an Exhibit 10 bonus, he’s not an obvious candidate to join the Maine Celtics, the club’s G League affiliate.
The Wizards should pick this guy up. They are light up front and Weynen has it. He just needs court time to become a force.
Wiz have 17 guaranteed contracts tho.
I’m thinking a team w/ only 13 guarantees might be a fit, like Golden State
Warriors should probably get a Center. They already have Saric, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Rudy Gay, and Kuminga as 4s behind Draymond, plus Garuba as a two-way. At the 5, they have Looney, then Saric, Draymond, and Garuba all out of position, and that’s it. At least get one guy for insurance, even if he’s not expected to play a big role.
The Kings could use Gabriel. They need a 4 who can play defense. Or Chicago, who have two-way Adama Sanogo as the only actual PF on the roster. Him or Bazley would be a good fit.
Completely correct
The Warriors cut Gay a couple of days ago.
The Warriors are most probably on the running to get Darius Bazley over Gabriel. They prioritize shooting over anything, and they already have Kevon Looney, which is a better version of Wenyen Gabriel. At least that is my opinion.
Bazley is a much better option than Guber. They need a center
The Warriors prioritize ball handling and defense over shooting. Why do you think they traded Poole.
Gabriel had some nice flashes last year in LA.
Good guy to have on the veteran minimum.
Can rebound, finishes pretty well, putbacks.
Always hustles, good teammate.
Bulls should grab him, Williams is worthless.
A guy who shoots over .400 from deep while playing elite perimeter defense is far from useless. He doesn’t score a lot but with LaVine, DeRozan and Vucevic in place that makes him the 4th or sometimes 5th option.
He has no dog in him, that is the problem. They kept feeding him the ball in the last preseason game and he still didn’t take open shots, sometimes he had an open outside shot and decided to drive instead, and he is not a good finisher. He also makes far too many mental mistakes for a player with 2 full seasons of v experience. I sometimes wonder if he has some kind of mental disorder, seriously, that prevents him from focusing. He has the physical gifts, he just never takes charge.