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Former Pitt guard Brad Wanamaker agreed to sign with the Boston Celtics on Monday, according to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe. However, the length of the deal has yet to be determined, as Wanamaker is reportedly angling for a one-year deal, while the Celtics would prefer to lock down the former EuroLeague luminary for a period of two years.
The Celtics and Euroleague star Brad Wanamaker are close to finalizing a contract, as @wojespn said. According to a source, Boston is seeking a two-year deal and Wanamaker, a former Pitt star, is leaning toward one year. Either way, it’ll likely be done soon, possibly tomorrow.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) June 25, 2018
Since concluding his collegiate career with the Panthers in 2011, Wanamaker has steadily risen up the ranks overseas, working his way up from a rookie on Teramo Basket, a Serie A squad of little consequence, to a key contributor on Fenerbahce, one of the powerhouses of Europe.
During his time in the EuroLeague, Wanamaker averaged 13.4 points, 4.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. That culminated with an appearance in the EuroLeague title game in May, where Fenerbahce fell to Real Madrid. However, the Pitt product was vital to the team’s domestic title win and was named the Turkish Basketball Super League MVP two weeks ago.
In signing with the Celtics, Wanamaker would join a backcourt already occupied by the likes of Kyrie Irving, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier. Smart is currently a restricted free agent but is expected to be re-signed this offseason. However, Himmelsbach noted Wanamaker could slot in for third-stringer Shane Larkin, an unrestricted free agent uncertain to return.
Provided the deal goes through as planned, Wanamaker would be reunited with former teammate Daniel Theis, who he played alongside during his stint with Germany’s Brose Bamberg.
The move would also make him one of just three former Pitt players in the NBA as of 2018, as Steven Adams of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Jamel Artis of the Orlando Magic are currently the university’s only other representatives in the league.