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LAS VEGAS – The Celtics will add volume to their frontcourt on the Summer League roster starting Tuesday’s game against the Denver Nuggets. The team announced Monday night that recent acquisition Bruno Fernando will join the team in Las Vegas for the remainder of the team’s Summer League schedule.
Fernando, 22, was a reserve center with the Hawks for the past two seasons after being selected with the No. 34 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Boston officially landed him, Kris Dunn and a second-round pick in 2023 in a three-team trade with the Kings and Hawks that sent Celtics big man Tristan Thompson to Sacramento.
Fernando’s addition to the Celtics Summer League roster has been delayed until Tristan Thompson passes his physical exam with Sacramento, paving the way for the deal to be formalized on Monday, according to a league source. .
Analysis
The 6-foot-9 Fernando has averaged 3.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in 89 career games. He was largely buried on the Hawks’ depth chart last season amid their off-season spending, which will make the Summer League a significant opportunity to make an impression on his new team.
Fernando is in the final year of a three-year contract, earning $ 1.7 million in guaranteed cash this season, but is also reportedly somewhat buried in Boston’s center depth draw behind Al Horford, Robert Williams and Enes Kanter. . Considering the sustainability issues that Horford and R. Williams have faced in recent seasons, it’s possible Fernando may see opportunities periodically.
For now, he has the chance to play in the middle of the Celtics’ Summer League squad while surrounded by experienced guards and wings. The Celtics played a lot of small balls in their opener Sunday against the Hawks, but Fernando’s inclusion in the roster should allow them to provide better defensive mass down and rebounds.
Fernando doesn’t have much of a shooting range beyond 15 feet, but he’s a solid finisher to the edge for his size and should be able to provide a strong presence on the glass.
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