Undrafted Rookie Continues His Tumultuous Offseason with a New Home
In a surprise move that is already sending ripples through the league, undrafted rookie RJ Luis Jr. has been traded from the Utah Jazz to the Boston Celtics. The deal, which was officially completed on August 6, 2025, saw the Celtics send veteran Georges Niang and two future second-round picks to the Jazz in a salary-shedding move. For Luis Jr., who has yet to play a professional game, the trade marks the next chapter in a dramatic offseason that has been full of highs and lows. After a stellar college career, he went undrafted, signed a two-way contract with the Jazz, and has now been shipped to the defending Eastern Conference champions, giving him an unexpected but intriguing new home.
A Tumultuous Offseason and a New Opportunity in Boston
RJ Luis Jr.’s 2025 has been a story of a player betting on himself. After a dominant junior season at St. John’s, where he was named Big East Player of the Year and a consensus second-team All-American, he opted to stay in the NBA draft despite lucrative transfer portal offers. However, his gamble did not immediately pay off, as he went undrafted. He subsequently signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz, but a nagging left knee injury prevented him from making his professional debut during the NBA Summer League. The injury has raised questions about his availability for training camp, but the trade to Boston now gives him a new opportunity. The Celtics, who have been focused on cost-cutting measures, see Luis Jr. as a low-cost, developmental piece with upside. His two-way contract will likely see him spend most of his time with the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate. However, with the Celtics’ rotation being revamped due to a number of offseason changes, there could be a path for him to earn a role on the main roster if he can stay healthy and impress in training camp.
A Stellar College Career and a Skill Set for the Pros
Despite the challenges of his offseason, RJ Luis Jr.’s collegiate resume speaks for itself. In his junior season with the St. John’s Red Storm, the 6-foot-7 wing averaged 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He is known for his solid finishing around the rim, strong defense, and high motor. While his three-point shooting has been a consistent area of concern for scouts, he has shown an ability to improve, shooting 33.6 percent from beyond the arc in his final college season. He now joins a Celtics team that is looking to rebuild its depth after a number of key roster moves, including the trade of their superstar forward. For Luis Jr., the move to Boston offers a chance to develop his game in a championship-caliber organization and prove that his confidence in his own abilities was justified.
Leave a Reply