Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Rivers previously noted the Celtics are in the market for another big man to fill out their roster, but the team isn’t expecting that talent to come from the buyout market. Players on other NBA rosters need to be bought out by 11:59 p.m. on Friday in order to be playoff-eligible for another team. “But no one is going to get bought out,” said Rivers before cracking, “We were hoping some of the guys who made the All-Star team would get bought out, but none of them will. It’s been really quiet. The trade [deadline] was quiet — even though there was a lot of chatter about a lot of people — and I think the buyout [might be the same]. But with buyout, you never know until the last second , when a guy just walks in and says, ‘I want out’ and the team says, ‘Yes.'”
We’re at a point now where people are clamoring for Lou Amundson. While the Celtics are short on players with tiny ponytails, I’m not really loving the idea of Amundson in green…. which is convenient because he’s more likely to be wearing red this weekend.
All signs point to the Bulls winning a four-team race and signing Lou Amundson to a 10-day contract on Saturday, bringing their roster to the maximum 15 players. Amundson, who was waived by the Timberwolves on Feb. 8, would be big-man insurance while Taj Gibson remains sidelined with a sprained MCL in his left knee. The Heat, Celtics and Knicks also are in the mix for Amundson.
But the fact remains that the Amundsons of the world are the guys who will show up on the buyout market…. if guys show up on the buyout market at all. Just like the quiet trade deadline, there’s no real talk of many buyouts around the league. There’s no veteran big on the horizon… there’s no 6’11” guy who “just needs the right situation.” There’s nothing.
But like Doc says… you never know who’s going to walk into an office today and say “I’m done here.” And because the deadline is before midnight, then we’ve still got a long time to be surprised.
And just to be clear about how it works… anyone waived today is playoff eligible for his new team no matter when he signs the rest of the year. Any free agents out there at midnight can be on the playoff roster.
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston: Rivers on Curry: “special to watch” | Quick hits from Ainge radio interview | WEEI: Steph Curry, Tom Brady, and the All Defense power of Avery Bradley | Ainge: Big part of second half involves getting Garnett & Pierce healthy | Pierce: pinched nerve causing up and down performance | Globe: Mailbag: to expect down the stretch | Bradley prepared for matchup with Curry | Pierce believes neck pain will linger throughout the season | DJ White officially a member of the Celtics | Herald: Curry will offer pointed challenge | Jordan Crawford, Celtics, make good pair | Pierce doubts neck pain will subside | MWDN: DJ White looks forward to wearing Green
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