Fab Melo's 2013 swap to Memphis for Donte Green capped a brief, uneven Boston tenure that featured a 22nd pick chasing development in the Maine Red Claws and a quirky hotel-head concussion that lingered in Celtics lore. Melo died in 2017 at 26, a stark reminder of how fast a rookie arc can end. The piece also marks birthdays in Celtics history: Ed Stanczak, who joined the Celtics after the Packers folded and logged 19 games in 1950, and Bruno Fernando, born in 1998 in Angola, whose career path swung from Maryland to the Hawks then to Boston, with a later DanTheis-Thompson era trade reshaping roster depth.

The Celtics’ ties run deep—from 2013’s transactional moves to 2021’s Tristan Thompson trade and the presence of others like Daniel Theis and Kris Dunn in linked rosters. The Maine Celtics banner underscores the franchise’s persistent push to cultivate talent through the G League, even as the modern NBA spotlight remains on today’s stars. A small window into how history, birthdays, and rosters interweave with today’s fantasy chatter.

The Boston Celtics have worn a total of 68 different jersey numbers, honoring over 500 players throughout their history. Among these, No. 28 was worn by Bruno Fernando during the 2021-22 season. Drafted 34th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers, the Angolan player started his career with the Atlanta Hawks before joining the Celtics in 2021. In Boston, Fernando played 20 games, averaging 1.0 points per game, before moving to the Houston Rockets.

This retrospective highlights Fernando's brief time with the Celtics, contributing to the rich tapestry of the team's jersey history, where 25 numbers have been officially retired in honor of legendary players.

In the fast-paced world of the NBA, trades can play a crucial role in shaping a team's success as the season progresses. This season, the Golden State Warriors made a strategic move by acquiring Dennis Schröder from the Brooklyn Nets, while the Los Angeles Lakers also identified a key addition in Dorian Finney-Smith from the same team. Their recent contest saw the Lakers triumph over the Warriors 118-108, with Finney-Smith showcasing outstanding performance, highlighted by a team-high plus-minus. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr commended Finney-Smith's contributions, acknowledging his shooting prowess and solidifying the Lakers' identity.

Despite averaging only 6.2 points and 3.1 rebounds over 12 games with the Lakers, Finney-Smith's overall influence extends beyond mere statistics, enhancing both offensive and defensive schemes. The Warriors and Lakers are set to clash again on February 6, promising further excitement in their rivalry.

The Toronto Raptors have signed forward Eugene Omoruyi to a 10-day contract following his stellar season with Raptors 905. This decision comes after the team waived Bruno Fernando earlier in the week, creating a roster vacancy.

Omoruyi, a 6-foot-6, 235-pound player, has been a force in the G League, averaging 19.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game across 14 appearances. His shooting stats are impressive as well, with 57.7% from the field and 35.4% from beyond the arc.

Originally from Benin City, Nigeria, Omoruyi moved to Toronto during childhood. His basketball journey took him through Orangeville Prep before a collegiate career at Rutgers and Oregon, where he led in scoring during his final season. After going undrafted in 2021, he had a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks and spent time with various teams, culminating in 43 games last season with the Washington Wizards.

The Toronto Raptors have officially waived center Bruno Fernando, the franchise announced on Tuesday. Fernando, who averaged 3.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists over 17 games this season, was unable to secure a more prominent role within the team's lineup, logging just 8.6 minutes per game.

During his brief stint with the Raptors, the six-foot-nine, 240-pound center from Angola recorded a personal best of 13 rebounds in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 12, contributing to a 99-85 loss during the NBA Cup group stage. His release paves the way for the Raptors to bring in a player on a standard contract, bringing the team's active roster to 14 players alongside three two-way players.

As the Raptors (8-28) prepare for their next game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, they look to recalibrate their lineup and improve their standing in the league.