Celtics Reportedly Waive Journeyman Center Following Preseason Finale

The Boston Celtics made their first roster finalization decision less than 24 hours after wrapping up the preseason against the Toronto Raptors.

Boston parted ways with 7-foot-1 center Dmytro Skapintsev, per Spotrac’s Keith Smith, after a not-so-impressive showing with the Celtics. Skapintsev logged 28.2 minutes through three appearances in the preseason and received an extended minutes boost during the team’s 50-point blowout win over the Philadelphia 76ers — shooting 2-of-2 from the field with five points, one rebound and one block in nine minutes.

The Celtics took a no-risk shot at Skapintsev landing the 26-year-old in a trade with the Westchester Knicks, the G League affiliate of the New York Knicks. Boston immediately extended an Exhibit 10 contract offer to Skapintsev, giving the Ukraine native a chance to compete for a roster spot before the organization transitioned into the regular season. Granted, playing behind big men Neemias Queta, Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman — all working steps ahead of Skapintsev — didn’t offer much room to impress Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla as Skapintsev joined Boston as an inherent long-shot choice.

Kristaps Porzingis, the starting center, won’t be ready by Opening Night as he’s still recovering from offseason surgery to repair an ankle injury. Queta, Kornet and Tillman have already shown flashes of what Mazzulla could receive by deploying the trio in the first few Porzingis-less months, plus 38-year-old Al Horford — though a limited geezer now — also outranks Skapintsev on the depth chart.

Skapintsev made two scrap appearances with the Knicks last season and spent most of 2023-24 playing in the G League for a second straight year. There, Skapintsev averaged 12.1 points on 53.5% shooting from the field with eight rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 blocks across 25 games played. Yet, despite the secondary big man clog in Boston, Skapintsev could remain a member of the organization by playing for the Maine Celtics alongside a handful of teammates from the preseason.

Boston has until 5 p.m. ET Monday to finalize its roster for Opening Night.