The Boston Celtics have waived four players, finalizing their roster just before the 2026-27 NBA season tips off. Tucker DeVries, Hayden Gray, Gabe McGlothan, and Milos Uzan were all released on Monday. This roster trim follows the team's final preseason outing, a 121-113 loss to the Detroit Pistons on October 20. The Celtics now carry 14 standard contracts and three two-way deals into their opener.
The players waived were all on Exhibit 10 contracts, which are short-term deals for training camp evaluation. Milos Uzan and Hayden Gray showed flashes during the preseason. Uzan averaged 8.0 points in 14.1 minutes per game, while Gray contributed 6.5 points and 4.0 assists across 15.7 minutes. Despite their production, none of the four secured a permanent NBA roster spot. All are expected to join the Maine Celtics in the G League, where they can earn a $91,000 bonus if they spend at least 60 days with the affiliate.
Devin Carter, the remaining camp invitee, had his deal converted to a two-way contract. That move completes the Celtics' opening night roster. The team has long planned to carry only 14 standard contracts to avoid crossing the luxury tax threshold. So these cuts were anticipated as part of the final roster math.
Social media reaction was swift, with fans focusing on the waived players' potential. One user, @migwobben, expressed concern about leaving Uzan unprotected for other teams' two-way offers. Another, @tamarackhack207, suggested Hayden Gray "would go crazy in Europe." The moves also sparked questions about future signings, with @NOSTRAYZ asking if the Celtics could now pursue recently waived veteran Bruce Brown.
Some fans celebrated the waived players' brief time with the championship organization. @CoffeeKyng noted, "They embarrassed LeBron and Embiid so these dudes are stamped for life," referencing preseason performances. Others, like @jakeissenberg, simply lamented, "NOT UZAN." The consensus pointed toward strong G League prospects, with @CelticsDale predicting the "Maine Celtics will be a wagon."
The Celtics enter the 2026-27 season looking to rebound from recent playoff disappointments. After winning the 2024 NBA Championship, they fell to the New York Knicks in the 2025 second round. Their most recent playoff exit was a tough seven-game, first-round loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2026. The roster has undergone significant changes this offseason, making these final cuts part of a larger transformation.
Their immediate focus shifts to the regular season. The Celtics open their campaign on the road against the Detroit Pistons, the same team they just lost to in preseason. Following that, a marquee early test arrives quickly. They host the New York Knicks at home on October 23, a matchup loaded with playoff history.
With the roster now set, head coach Joe Mazzulla can finalize his rotation. The team's recent form shows an 0-1 record after that preseason defeat. But the real evaluation begins now, as the Celtics aim to return to the top of the NBA landscape.
