The Celtics have added free agent forward Jalen Bridges to their Summer League squad and plan to bring him to training camp to compete for a roster spot, sources inform Jay King of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Bridges, who was on a two-way contract with the Suns during his 2024/25 rookie season, will likely end up signing an Exhibit 10 contract with Boston. Exhibit 10 deals can be converted into two-way contracts, which would be a pathway to making the roster.
On an Exhibit 10 deal, Bridges would also be eligible to earn a bonus worth up to $85K if Boston cuts him before the start of the season, provided he sticks with the club’s G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, for at least 60 days.
A 6’8″ forward out of Baylor, Bridges appeared in just eight games and logged 30 total minutes at the NBA level for the Suns last season. However, across 31 regular season contests for Phoenix’s NBAGL squad, the Valley Suns, the 24-year-old put up solid averages of 14.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game, with a shooting line of .425/.386/.794.
Phoenix didn’t give Bridges a two-way qualifying offer this past weekend, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Great! Another young guy! This upcoming season, without our superstar Jayson Tatum, let’s view this as an opportunity for the Celts to uncover a few gems.
As for Playoff Al, if he has to leave the Celts, like Luke did, because some other team will offer him 5 or 10 times what the Celtics can pay him, no hard feelings.
Lovely, another Jalen in the league. Every team needs as many switchable wings as possible, and every team needs at least one Jalen on the roster!
So Celts are getting 2 young guys from Minnesota and now youngster Jalen Bridges from Phoenix. Ha! Teams wanting and needing to win this upcoming season are just jettisoning their youngsters for vets. Ok, an opportunity! Trust in Stevens.
He’s from my hometown