Boston Celtics’ next-generation defensive spark Hayden Gray is taking the next step in his professional journey after reportedly signing with the Maine Celtics following an Exhibit 10 deal with Boston. The move, confirmed in recent reports, indicates both the high expectations the organization has for the 6-foot-4 guard and their vision for him as a dynamic, defense-first player during the 2025–26 G League season.
Last week, sources including CelticsBlog and Yahoo Sports confirmed that Gray has officially inked a contract to join the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate, after showcasing his talents during the Summer League in Las Vegas Wikipedia+9CelticsBlog+9Yahoo Sports+9. The structure of the deal is expected to be an Exhibit 10 contract, allowing Boston to retain his rights during training camp and, if he is waived, funnel him into the Maine Celtics roster while earning a bonus—likely up to $85,000—if he remains for 60 days TalkBasket+1Hoops Rumors+1.
Boston’s M.O. in recent years has included targeting players who bring strong defensive prowess and sharp instincts, especially those adept at creating turnovers. Gray fits that mold perfectly. At UC San Diego, Gray led all of Division I in steals, averaging 3.1 steals per game, alongside 11.2 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.1 rebounds over 35 starts CelticsBlog+2TalkBasket+2Hoops Rumors+2. His combination of court vision, anticipation, and active hands earned him distinction as both the Big West Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the 2025 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year TalkBasket+7Wikipedia+7Yahoo Sports+7.
In Las Vegas, Gray further justified Boston’s investment. He appeared in one Summer League contest—a dominating 101-80 win over the Atlanta Hawks—logging 20 minutes with a stat line of seven points, two assists, two steals, and a block Yahoo Sports+2CelticsBlog+2TalkBasket+2. Within 32 seconds of entering the game, Gray snagged a steal, underlining his defensive impact and penchant for creating quick possession turnovers Hardwood Houdini. Celtics coach Matt Reynolds praised his “nose for the ball,” calling him “crafty,” “savvy,” and emphasizing his defensive aggression CelticsBlog.
Beyond raw stats, Gray has spoken himself about the hallmark of his game: a commitment to defense combined with smart playmaking. He credited his ability to read opponents—“reading the ball handler’s eyes, knowing where they want to go with it”—as the driving force behind his elite steal rate Hoops Rumors+2TalkBasket+2CelticsBlog+2. On top of that, he’s studied the likes of Derrick White, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace—underscoring his ambition to model his own game after standout on-ball defenders who also excel in floor management CelticsBlog.
The timing of Gray’s signing coincides with a transitional phase for Maine’s roster. With JD Davison elevated to a two-way deal with Boston fresh off an MVP season in the G League and other players signing elsewhere, Boston is in the process of replenishing Maine’s backcourt with fresh talent Hardwood Houdini. The organization clearly sees Gray as a potential core building block in that ecosystem.
What makes Gray’s path particularly compelling is how well his skils match Boston’s development priorities. The Illinois-based Tritons standout improved to 41.8% from three-point range in his senior season—a promising development for a defense-first guard seeking to contribute offensively TalkBasket+1Hoops Rumors+1. In today’s NBA, two-way guards who can switch defensively, generate turnovers, and also shoot efficiently are in high demand. Gray appears to be ticking all these boxes.
Yet, the journey is far from over. Exhibit 10 deals are structured to give players like Gray opportunities through Summer League and training camp, often with the expectation that they’ll ultimately hone their skills in the G League TalkBasket. For Gray, the challenge lies in leveraging that dual environment—absorbing NBA-level coaching during camp, then translating it into leadership and consistency in Maine. Mentally, he’s embraced the role. Gray has admitted that as an undrafted rookie, he’s “trying to be a sponge and soak everything in”—particularly in Maine under newly announced head coach Phil Pressey CelticsBlog.
Pressey, whose promotion to the Maine Celtics helm was announced in early July, brings an invaluable player-development mindset to his new role Wikipedia. With a decade of professional experience across the NBA and Europe and previous ties to Boston’s player development structure, Pressey is well-equipped to nurture a defensively inclined guard like Gray. Their relationship stems from Las Vegas, where Pressey served as a lead assistant during Summer League CelticsBlog.
While Gray’s path echoes others before him, such as Kadeem Allen—another Boston two-way guard whose defense and G League stomping grounds translated into NBA opportunities Wikipedia—Jason and Gray face their own unique opportunities. If Gray can blend his steal-generating instincts with consistent three-point shooting and floor generalship, he may follow in the footsteps of successful G-League-to-NBA conversions.
The key question is how Gray’s game transitions when opponents game-plan specifically to avoid him. Summer League games often don’t see the adjustments characteristic of G League or NBA opposition. In Maine, Gray will have to demonstrate defensive intensity against targeted mismatches and prove shooting consistency over a full season. If he can, an Exhibit 10 bonus and exposure could lead to further invites to NBA training camps—or even an eventual two-way or standard contract.
Already, early reports praise Gray’s motor, his knack for stay-in-front defense, and his ability to take charges and create second-chance opportunities through hustle. In an article detailing his Las Vegas impact, one observer wrote that “his knack for tracking the ball is otherworldly,” and that Celtics fans now “understand Gray’s game and why the Celtics signed him” Hardwood Houdini. That kind of raw praise speaks to his natural instincts.
Still, the G League is a grind. Players often cite the intense travel, physical wear, and weeks of back-to-back contests as challenging. Gray, at 22, will need to mature physically while managing his body through the season. Boston’s support structure, however, is robust: through Maine, he’ll still have access to Boston’s strength and conditioning staff, nutritionists, and development coaches. That synergy helps relieve much of the pressure placed on developing players in isolation.
What might a successful 2025–26 season look like for Gray? If he holds steady at around 3 turnovers forced per game and shoots at least 35–38% from three, he’d make himself impossible to ignore. Combine that with defensive metrics—such as defensive rating, steal percentage, and opponent field goal percentage when guarding—and even modern analytics-driven front offices would take note.
And of course, fans of the Boston Celtics have every reason to watch. Gray’s signing could be the start of a long-term investment—one that rewards a low-profile Undrafted guy out of UC San Diego who made his reputation by stealing the ball and disrupting offense. Just as Boston has done with players like Tremont Waters or Tremont Waters, they look for those gems that domestic analytics identify but national recognition might not.
In a broader context, Gray’s signing exemplifies Boston’s balanced strategy: blending star acquisition with development lanes, ensuring cap flexibility, and relying on their G League pipeline. Their recent drafting and staff hirings also suggest an organization renewing focus on late-round upside—an approach that built franchises like San Antonio and Miami over time. Gray is that kind of player: low-risk, high-effort, and stylistically aligned with Boston’s long-term philosophy.
As Boston prepares for both the new NBA season and Maine’s upcoming G League campaign, Hayden Gray stands out as one of its most intriguing developmental bets. Signed for his standout instincts in the steals column, his sharpshooting potential, and fierce competitiveness, Gray has every element necessary—but now the onus is on execution.
2025–26 will be pivotal. If Gray can thrive in Maine, maintain the aggressive defense that defined his college career, and convert open looks from deep, he may soon find himself in Boston’s rotation—perhaps first in practice, summer sets, and eventually as an injury fill-in scored on the NBA calendar. And who knows: a stellar G League season could even spark midseason interest from other NBA teams looking to shore up perimeter defense with ball hawks.
This signing is more than a footnote—it’s Boston’s continued faith in defensive craft, G League development, and the worth of unheralded talent. Hayden Gray’s journey begins now, and while Exhibit 10 deals can evaporate fast, Gray’s instincts, work ethic, and emerging shooting prowess just might be enough to make him the next Celtics success story out of Maine.
That’s the story of his signing—a guard who tracked, intercepted, and scored his way to an Exhibit 10 deal—and now, the stage is set at Maine for his breakout.
