Dillon Mitchell has a shot (eventually)
A look back at the Summer League starts with the long shot without a long shot (for now)
Celtics second round draft pick Dillon Mitchell doubled the number of three pointers he made in college last season in just one Summer League game. In Boston’s second game, the St. John’s product was 2-for-5 from deep. Before that, Mitchell was 1-15 for the Red Storm in 2025-26.
It was six points out of Mitchell’s team high 24 points with eight rebounds (seven offensive), six steals, two steals and two blocks against the Charlotte Hornets. It was the kind of performance that showed his potential.
That performance didn’t lock in Mitchell’s future, though. This article’s title reflects two meanings that will determine Mitchell’s career, if he can dial in his 3-point shot.
Mitchell’s scouting report said he was an athletic defender. In that regards, Mitchell didn’t disappoint. He’s a very live body, so active it’s like he’s almost everywhere on the floor. One moment he’s flying in from the baseline to grab a board. Next second, he blocks a shot from behind as a help defender. Next thing you know, Mitchell picks off a pass and is racing towards the rim for an emphatic bucket.
Also on Mitchell’s resume was a lack of offensive production. He never averaged 10 points per game, though he came just short in 2023-24 (9.6 for Texas) and 2024-25 (9.9 for Cincinnati). Mitchell mostly made his money off of pick-pocketing (defense) and picking up loose change (rebounding). So despite the low totals, Mitchell’s career shooting percentage was .593.
Any player that can generate easy offense is welcomed, but to be a fit on the Celtics, Mitchell has to become a decent 3-point shooter. Being a career .193 won’t be good enough.
Mitchell’s future depends on if he can fill a 3-and-D role. The D is already there. Mitchell showed an excellent IQ, playing like a basketball free safety to jump passing lanes and pick them off, and a feel for making the right play on offense for teammates.
It’s the range that needs to come around. The good news is Mitchell shot .375 percent over three games, but it’s a small sample size. He’s going to get a lot more shots up for the Maine Celtics to develop his jumper. Nothing looks wrong with his stroke, but the coaches will find ways to refine it into a more consistent weapon.
Mitchell is in the right place to do that. Hugo Gonzalez’s shot has made some strides since he entered the league. A better comparison for Mitchell is Jordan Walsh, who shot just .278 for Arkansas, then improved to .384 in his third year with the Celtics.
The difference between the players is Mitchell was drafted as a senior, while Walsh left the Razorbacks after his freshman year. In theory, Walsh has a lot more room for growth than Mitchell. But that doesn’t always hold true.
If things go ideally, Mitchell could replace Walsh, depending on how Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens wants to spend his money. If he views 3-and-D players as replaceable, he could include Walsh in a trade package, despite Walsh’s new extension. Mitchell would make four 3-and-D wings, after Gonzalez, Walsh, and Baylor Scheierman. How many similar role players does Stevens want?
Dillion can make it four, but he has to develop a 3-point shot first.
As for how other Celtics performed during the Summer League:
Chris Cenac Jr.
Over four games, Cenac showed off his vast potential. The athleticism stood out, as he even made rebounds interesting. He averaged 2.8 blocks, hit three pointers (including a game-tying corner three as time expired in the first game), made some midrange buckets, and even showed a couple of dribble drives. Marinating in Maine for a year hopefully helps Cenac to refine his many skills.
Jared DeVries
DeVries had to wait for his opportunity, but he made the most of it. As expected, the 3-point stroke was real, as he nailed buckets from all over international waters. He only made .333 from deep, but Boston knows he shot way better for West Virginia (.473). It’s worth seeing if DeVries can regain that stroke.
It took until Gonzalez’s final game to look like the player the Celtics allegedly refused to include in a trade for Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounpo. He connected on off the dribble threes as he totaled 24 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and a block. Gonzalez needs offensive polish. That didn’t materialize until the win over the Sacramento Kings. Hugo showed promise, but he’s not as close to a finished product as I hoped.
John Tonje
We knew Tonje could get buckets. But he showed some ability to defend. He average 1.2 steals and showed a willingness to get after it on the defensive end. He needed that, as averaging 14.8 points off of sparking shooting percentages (.510/.452) His performance paid off, in a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. Tonje earned that. We should wish him well.
Milos Uzan
Steady hand Uzan went from bench player to starter by making good things happen when he ran the offense. After two games played, his plus/minus was +41! He didn’t shoot great, but he averaged four assists compared to 1.4 turnovers, and was involved with a handful of clutch plays. He earned a longer look in Maine.
Chauncey Wiggins
Wiggins, my favorite UDFA, was buried behind Cenac Jr. and Amari Williams, and got less minutes than the defensive Nick Pringles. He was 50 percent from deep in his limited play, but may have to go elsewhere for his next step in his journey.
Amari Williams
After an impressive 23-point 13-rebound double-double to start the Summer League, Williams failed to hit double digits in points or rebounds for his remaining three games. And for being known for his passing, Williams averaged more turnovers (3.0) than assists (2.3). The 2.3 blocks per game was nice (ninth in SL for players with at least four games played), but more development was expected to be shown.
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