The Celtics roster is almost complete. The Jason Terry and Jeff Green deals are being finalized soon enough, meaning our roster looks like this right now:
Guards: Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Jason Terry
Wings: Paul Pierce, Jeff Green
Bigs: Kevin Garnett, Brandon Bass, Jared Sullinger, JaJuan Johnson, Fab Melo, Chris Wilcox
Non-Guaranteed: E’Twaun Moore, Sean Williams, Kris Joseph
That’s 11 guaranteed guys under contract. If they guarantee Moore and Joseph, that’ll be 13. Moore has been decent in summer league and Joseph has been a pleasant surprise, so it wouldn’t be a shock for Boston to do that. And if they do, that leaves preciously little money and roster space for more moves. And that means Greg Stiemsma is probably gone… and the Timberwolves know it won’t take much.
The Wolves expect to get restricted free agent center Greg Stiemsma. Boston is over the cap, so the Wolves feel like they will be able to structure the contract in a fashion such that Celtics general manager Danny Ainge won’t be able to match.
The most the Celtics could offer him is $3.857 million over two years under the bi-annual exception. They don’t have his Bird Rights can can’t go higher than that $3.857 million to match any Minnesota offer. So all they have to do is offer him $2 million a year or more, and it’s done. He’s gone.
And that’s going to happen. Stiemer wants to be there. He’s going be closer to home.
He did well for himself here in Boston. And I know Boston gave him the chance to prove himself. Now it’s time for him to make a little bit of money for himself. For a guy at Stiemsma’s level, I’ve got no issue with a guy going closer to home for a little bit more cash.
Thanks for the solid year, Stiemer.
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