After starting the season with an 8-2 record, Maine Celtics forward Luka Samanic has been named G League Player of the Month.
Luka averaged 21.7 points and 11.4 rebounds in the month, and leads the G-League with 9 double-doubles in 10 games.
When TL comes back, I hope the C’s release Vonleh and sign Samanic to a rest of season deal that’s not guaranteed next summer (like what Hauser got last year). They can leave him in Maine if they want since we wouldn’t need his minutes — I’d just like him under contract before he signs elsewhere.
Better off putting Davison on the Hauser plan and potentially making Samanic the new two-way player. My guess is they're weighing that against keeping the two non-guaranteed players along with the two medium trade exceptions for potentially acquiring a veteran or two once trade season kicks off.
It honestly doesn't matter much between the two, although it gives them a little more flexibility if they make Samanic the guy. If Davison is promoted, neither he nor Samanic could be traded at the deadline. If Samanic is promoted, Davison can still be traded. Also, presumably the Celtics like Davison more than Samanic long-term. Accordingly, if they need a roster spot at the deadline and have to release a guy, they'd rather release Samanic than Davison, so you'd want Luka on the 15-man and Davison still on the 2-way.
I look at it this way -- if Samanic is about to sign somewhere, it's better for the Celtics to sign Samanic and cut Vonleh, because if they ultimately need the roster spot for a trade they would have just cut Vonleh anyway and not signed Samanic, so there'd be no difference. And if they don't need the roster spot at the deadline, then they haven't lost Samanic to another team. The Celtics probably have a couple more weeks to decide if they want to keep Luka, but I don't think he's sticking in Maine all year -- someone is going to sign him by the end of January.
