Although Vitor Faverani disputes reports that he drove drunk in Spain this summer, he still might have driven himself off the Boston Celtics’ roster.
The Celtics are considering waiving the second-year center, Sportando reported Monday, citing unnamed sources. Releasing the big man would drop the Celtics to the maximum 15 players under guaranteed contracts for the coming season.
Faverani has had a rather eventful offseason, In addition to the drunken driving reports, which he claims were fabricated, Faverani has experienced swelling in his surgically repaired left knee, and returned to Spain to get a second opinion last week, according to head coach Brad Stevens. If Faverani requires another surgery, his place on the team could be placed in further jeopardy.
He has yet to suit up for the Celtics this preseason.
UPDATE (11:45 a.m.): Stevens told reporters that Faverani did indeed undergo another surgery on his left knee Monday in Spain. He’s expected to miss the next six to eight weeks.
Faverani enjoyed a few strong moments with the Celtics last season, particularly early on, but was mostly a non-factor over the final four months of the season. He averaged 4.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in 37 games with the Celtics.
Faverani is owed $2.1 million for the coming season, but the Celtics have space under the luxury tax line to eat his contract if necessary. Or they could trade him for a non-guaranteed deal, similar to what they did with Fab Melo last year.
Photo via Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY Sports Images
