Svi Mykhailiuk Boosts Celtics Roster Chances Against Knicks

Svi Mykhailiuk impresses in preseason game, making a case for a roster spot with the Boston Celtics.

The Boston Celtics kicked off their training camp last week with a lot of uncertainty surrounding their roster. With only 10 players holding fully guaranteed contracts, there is fierce competition for rotation spots and even just a place on the team as head coach Brad Stevens aims to build a championship contender following the recent trades for Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis.

One of the late additions to the Celtics' roster this summer was Svi Mykhailiuk, a skilled shooting guard who only has $200,000 of his contract guaranteed. Mykhailiuk had an impressive second half of the season with the Charlotte Hornets last year, which earned him a chance to prove himself with Boston.

In the preseason opener, Mykhailiuk didn't see any playing time, but when the regular starters sat out in the game against the New York Knicks, he and several other players on the bubble had an opportunity to showcase their skills. The 26-year-old made the most of this chance, along with Dalano Banton, as they both had strong performances despite the Celtics' loss.

Standing at 6-foot-7, Mykhailiuk scored 15 points in 25 minutes off the bench, shooting 5-of-9 from the field and 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. He displayed impressive shooting ability and solid playmaking in the half court, which caught the attention of the Celtics during the offseason. While his defense still needs improvement (he committed four fouls in the game), his size and shooting skills make him an appealing option for Boston as they seek perimeter weapons to complement their star players in the second unit.

With three more preseason games remaining, Mykhailiuk has a long road ahead to secure a spot on the roster or even compete for a spot in the rotation. However, there is a potential opening if Sam Hauser continues to struggle with his shooting (he has only made 2-of-15 three-point attempts in the preseason). The Celtics have a couple of energetic power forwards in Oshae Brissett and Lamar Stevens, but neither of them are reliable shooters. The same goes for Dalano Banton. Mykhailiuk could be a valuable asset in terms of maximizing spacing on the wing, especially if injuries occur or Hauser fails to find his rhythm.

While it is possible that the Celtics will stick with their current 15-man roster after the preseason, all players will have to prove themselves as the team considers potential trades and waiver wire options in the coming weeks. Mykhailiuk certainly helped his case with his performance at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.

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