Forward Drew Peterson, a member of the 2024 NBA champion Boston Celtics, has left the team during free agency. Peterson, who was a restricted free agent this offseason, has signed a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets.
Peterson spent the last two seasons on a two-way deal with the Celtics, playing only three games in the 2023-24 season while spending most of his time between the main Celtics roster and the G-League. The previous season saw him get more playing time, with 25 appearances for Boston, averaging 2.2 points over 7.4 minutes per game.
At 25 years old, Peterson is notably a strong three-point shooter, making 42.1% of his attempts from beyond the arc in 28 NBA games. He will reunite with Charles Lee, a former Celtics assistant who is now the head coach of the Hornets.
While Peterson showed promise with Boston, his exit was likely influenced by the team’s recent signings, including two-way deals with big man Amari Williams and guard Max Shulga, both second-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. Forward Miles Norris also holds a two-way contract with the Celtics, leaving no two-way roster spots available.
Alongside Peterson, other players such as Julu Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Cornett are departing Boston this offseason. Veteran Al Horford is also expected to leave in free agency, and if that happens, forward Tory Craig would remain the Celtics’ last unsigned free agent.
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Fan Take: Drew Peterson’s move to Charlotte highlights how competitive roster spots are on championship teams, making it tougher for young talents to find consistent minutes. For basketball fans, this shift not only signals changes in team dynamics but also underscores how critical strategic moves are for building and maintaining contender teams in the NBA.
