The Celtics went 3-2 in Las Vegas, but the games were less about wins and losses and more about player development.
The Boston Celtics wrapped up the Las Vegas Summer League season with a loss to the Orlando Magic on Saturday afternoon, fishing their time in Sin City at 3-2 overall.
While the game results are fun, they pale in comparison to player development, which is really the main focus of Summer League.
It's important to get new players acclimated to team culture and team systems, while also getting a first look at rookies or undrafted free agents.
On that note, here's the two main things for the Celtics coming out of Summer League.
Rookies show flashes
The Celtics drafted center Chris Cenac Jr. out of Houston in the first round of the NBA Draft and forward Dillon Mitchell of St. John's in the second round.
Both players are long and athletic and should help the Celtics in various ways - provided they get chances at the NBA level as opposed to the G-League.
Cenac had multiple double-doubles in Summer League, showing the ability to finish at the rim and a tenacity on the glass, while Mitchell's best game included 24 points and eight rebounds. Furthermore, he was extra aggressive on the offensive glass, something the Celtics figure to be strong at after the addition of Mitchell Robinson in free agency.
Neither player is a three-point specialist, though Cenac does the ability to step out and hit the three, even sinking a game-tying shot to send the first game of the session to overtime.
Hugo Gonzalez uneven, but primed for bigger role
After playing 74 games in the NBA season, the second-year player came to Las Vegas as the C's on-court leader. He struggled in his first two games before posting 24 points in a game against the Sacramento Kings.
He shows playmaking ability and the ability to score in a multitude of ways, and the Celtics will certainly expect more from him this season, especially after trading Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Gonzalez played in only three of five games, which isn't a big deal considering he had just played for Spain in the FIBA qualifiers as well.
Up next
The Celtics will now be off until training camp, which is in September. We won't see them on the floor for any games until October when the preseason and regular season begin.
Boston is coming off a 56-26 regular season that saw them finishing in second place in the East.
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