Celtics

Celtics Sign Jake Layman, Justin Jackson, Denzel Valentine

September 15, 2022

The Celtics have signed forwards Jake Layman and Justin Jackson, and guard/forward Denzel Valentine, to their training camp roster, as relayed by RealGM.

All of these signings were already made known, but now they are official. All three players presumably were given non-guaranteed training camp deals, also known as Exhibit 10 contracts.

Layman, 28, is 6-foot-8 and spent the last three seasons with the Timberwolves — though that role decreased with each season. He appeared in just 34 games in 2021-22. He spent the first three years of his career with the Trail Blazers, then averaged a career-high 9.1 points in 2019-20 with Minnesota.

Jackson, 27, is 6-7 and appeared in one game with the Celtics last season, and another six with the Suns. He has also spent time with the Kings, Mavericks, Thunder and Bucks.

“Ever since [December], me and my agent have kind of stayed in touch with the Celtics,” Jackson said, via Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe. “Kind of built that relationship. Came out here to join and kind of play a little bit of basketball, so it worked out.”

Jackson performed well for the Celtics in summer league in July, and was almost signed to a standard deal last season. The Celtics opted for Nik Stauskas instead. Stauskas has since been traded to the Pacers as part of the Malcolm Brogdon deal.

Valentine, 28, is 6-4 and was the No. 14 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. He spent the first four seasons of his career with the Bulls, then appeared in 22 games with the Cavaliers, and two more with the Jazz last season. He has also played in the G League.

Valentine was traded by the Cavs to the Knicks in January as part of a three-team deal with the Lakers (that sent Rajon Rondo to Cleveland). He was waived by the Knicks a couple days later, then signed a 10-day deal with the Jazz.

Valentine can’t have his Exhibit 10 contract converted to a two-way deal since he’s been in the NBA for five seasons. So in order to make the Celtics’ final roster, he will need to emerge from training camp with a standard contract.