NBA: Celtics Sign Forward, Center Remains Favorite To Land Deal

The Boston Celtics are continuing to make additions to their roster ahead of training camp with Yante Maten being the latest signing on an Exhibit 10 contract, according to Adam Himmelsbach. The 23-year-old power forward went undrafted in 2018 and spent last season in Miami.

Maten played 13 minutes in two games for Miami Heat while spending most of the 2018-19 season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He averaged 23.5 points and 9.6 rebounds for the Skyforce in G League last year while hitting 32.7 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. The power forward continued with the Heat through summer league play in Las Vegas and Sacramento and in seven games across both leagues, he averaged 13.6 points and 7.9 rebounds.

The former Heat power forward will be able to earn some money while on the Exhibit 10 contract and if he does not make the 15-man final roster, he can sign for Boston’s exclusive G League outfit Maine Red Claws for $50,000 if they waive him before the start of the regular season.

The Celtics currently have 14 guaranteed contracts and have one spot remaining for the final squad for the NBA regular season. Maten will have to compete for that one spot with three other prospects – Tacko Fall, Javone Green and Kaiser Gates. The franchise also has two other players Max Strus and Tremont Waters on two-way contracts going into training camp next month.

Fall is considered to be the favorite for either a two-way deal or a guaranteed deal once training camp concludes. The big center became an instant sensation after his impressive showing during the summer league. The Senegal-born 7’6” center impressed general manager Danny Ainge and the coaching staff with his skills and is keen to make the final roster.

However, the competition for places is genuine, but his skills along with his marketability make him a strong contender to take a guaranteed spot on the roster. Fall’s agent, however, remains unconcerned as he is certain his client will find a home in another franchise if Celtics do let him go prior to the start of the 2019-20 campaign.