Celtics cut ties with 6-foot-7 defensive-minded rookie

Getting cut doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end of the road for a player, but it’s unquestionably deflating to come up short before opening night. 

A 6-foot-7, defensive-minded rookie was released by the Boston Celtics days before the organization’s first regular-season outing. 

“The Boston Celtics waived RJ Luis Jr, Aaron Scott, and Hason Ward, as was expected,” Spotrac’s Keith Smith revealed Saturday. “All three are expected to join the Maine Celtics for the G League season. Celtics carry an open standard roster spot into the regular season.”

Although Scott flashed potential as a perimeter shooter at the collegiate level (he shot 40% from three as a sophomore and 37.0% as a junior), his calling card is his defense. 

Scott’s anticipatory skills enable him to remain one step ahead of his opponents and help initiate fast breaks (he averaged at least one steal per game during his last three college seasons). 

After going undrafted in June, Scott signed a Summer League deal with the Celtics, but didn’t make the best initial impression on the franchise. 

The first-year pro only averaged 1.5 points per game on 14.3% field goal shooting and 14.3% field goal shooting while failing to record a steal.

It also didn’t help that Scott didn’t appear in a preseason contest with the Celtics, denying him an opportunity to flip the script swiftly. 

Still, there’s no shame in a player starting his pro career in the NBA’s developmental league.

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