Report: Complication emerges that will likely kill 10-day contract deal between the Celtics and Sean Kilpatrick

Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald reported Saturday that the Boston Celtics are expected to sign Sean Kilpatrick to a 10-day contract using their hardship exception.

Keith Smith reported Friday that after announcing Kyrie Irving’s plans to have a “minimally invasive” knee procedure to alleviate soreness he has been experiencing over the past few weeks, the Celtics were going to petition for a hardship exception. The exception allows a team with four or more injured players out for at least three games in a row an open roster spot to bring on a player temporarily until someone returns.

If Irving returns to the active roster, the Celtics will need to either let Kilpatrick’s 10-day contract expire without renewing it, or release someone else on the roster if they wish to keep Kilpatrick for the rest of the season.

The 6’4 combo guard has been in the NBA since the 2014-15 season, most recently playing for the Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks after the Brooklyn Nets waived him back in December. Kilpatrick averaged around 13 points per game for the Nets from 2015-2017, and should provide some ball handling and perimeter scoring with Irving and Marcus Smart sidelined.

Some highlights from a few days ago, as well as his best pro performance early last season with Brooklyn.

The Celtics will be back in action Sunday at 6 p.m. EST in Sacramento to take on the Kings. Jaylen Brown is expected to return from a concussion.

UPDATE:

According to Mark Murphy, another team has made a better offer to Kilpatrick, likely killing the expected deal with the Celtics that was reported earlier on Saturday.

The details on which team swooped were not made clear at this time, but the Celtics will need to re-scan the market to find another temporary player.