The Boston Celtics are waiving rookie wing RJ Luis Jr. ahead of the new season. This decision comes just a little more than two months after Boston acquired the talented Luis.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto broke the news: “The Boston Celtics are waiving two-way player RJ Luis, league sources told @hoopshype,” Scotto wrote on Wednesday. “Boston acquired Luis from the Utah Jazz in exchange for two second-round picks and Georges Niang. Luis was recently Big East Player of the Year for St. John’s.”
The Boston Celtics are waiving two-way player RJ Luis, league sources told @hoopshype. Boston acquired Luis from the Utah Jazz in exchange for two second-round picks and Georges Niang. Luis was recently Big East Player of the Year for St. John’s.— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) October 15, 2025
After a strong showing at St. John’s under Rick Pitino, Luis declared for the 2025 NBA Draft and chose to stay in it, forgoing any return to college or the transfer portal. Going undrafted, he initially signed a two-way deal with the Utah Jazz in June, a decision that came down to a choice between Utah and Boston, according to reports.
However, the Celtics soon traded for him in August, sending veteran forward Georges Niang and two future second-round picks to the Jazz in exchange, viewing Luis as a developmental piece with upside for their G League affiliate in Maine.
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Luis’s college journey began at the University of Massachusetts, where he spent his freshman year with the Minutemen before transferring to St. John’s. With the Red Storm in 2024-25, he averaged 18.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and two assists per game. His dynamic play helped propel St. John’s to one of their strongest campaigns in recent memory, including a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Luis, at 6-foot-7 with a versatile skill set, could attract interest from other teams seeking young talent. Luis’s next step remains uncertain, but his college success suggests he could rebound quickly in the league or overseas.
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