Celtics Sign Big Man In Wake Of Williams Injury

While the organization and fans wait for the official shoe to drop on an Ime Udoka suspension (or possible resignation, as was rumored earlier today), the Boston Celtics still have other problems to deal with. Like how to fill the large shoes of center Robert Williams for the first few weeks of the season. 

Williams is undergoing knee surgery, to further clean up the problem he had in last season's playoffs. He'll be out for several weeks, his exact return not known. 

In the wake of that news, the Celtics have signed a big man to try to hold down the fort in Williams' absence. 

The Celtics have signed Luka Šamanić to a training camp deal, per @RealBobManning.

He’s a 22 year-old, 6-10 Croatian forward, and was the Spurs 2019 #19 overall pick. pic.twitter.com/XHHw1eBvFZ

— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) September 21, 2022

Luka Šamanić has signed a non-guaranteed training camp deal. The 22-year-old, 6-10 Croatian forward spent last season in the G League, playing for the Westchester Knicks. And he was dominant in his 7 games. He averaged 27.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting an impressive 41.5% on threes.

He was on a two-way deal with the New York Knicks, but never made an appearance with them, and ended up having his season cut short by plantar fasciitis.

He last played in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs in the 2020-21 season. He was their first-round pick (No. 19 overall) in 2019.

The Celtics are hoping Šamanić can win a roster spot and help backfill a few minutes at center while Williams recovers from surgery. The Celts freed-up a spot on the camp roster a couple of days earlier by waiving a former NBA first-round pick bust.

Photos: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports, Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports