Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
According to league sources, Dallas and New York were the other main suitors for the 6-foot-7 winger, but after finally finding a team that was willing to play to his strengths, he wasn’t about to leave the Celtics. The restricted free agent’s return was secured with a five-year, $35 million deal.
“He always wanted to come back,” said Crowder’s representative, Glenn Schwartzman. “We ended up getting a bunch of calls from teams, but his desire (to return) was strong.
“Playing for Brad Stevens is a big thing for him. When a player trusts a coach and the way he gets used at both ends of the floor, of course that’s the guy he’s going to want to play for.”
It was important from a Celtics point of view to get this tied up as quickly as possible. With a number of teams missing out on their more pressing free agent choices, there had to be concern in these parts that those clubs would look to other available talent and throw money at Crowder that he couldn’t refuse.
Playing for Brad Stevens is going to be “a big thing” for a lot of players. Stevens isn’t good enough to attract big name players on his own (just yet), so the Celtics need to get incrementally better (yes, I’m done pouting about the lack of sizzle this summer).
As for Jae, I love his game and having him back for 5 years, $35 million is a great investment. As the dominoes start to fall in free agency, teams with money loosen up on their wallets. The last thing you want to do is match a stupid offer from the Kings.
The Celtics have allotted approximately $68 million to 14 players. While they don’t have the room to sign a FA outright, there’s plenty of flexibility (via expiring contracts or TPEs) to be a trade player (via ESPN Boston):
While waiting for the moratorium to lift and formally ink their signings, the team remains about $7 million under the cap and could utilize its draft pick surplus to shed more space if it could move the expiring contracts of Gerald Wallace or Evan Turner. Stretching Wallace over the next three seasons would add another $6.7 million in immediate cap room. The post-free agency trade market will also likely make a big name or two available and Boston can muscle into any of those conversations.
Boston might simply have to be patient into next season (or, gulp, next summer) before that opportunity arrives. Keep in mind, too, that with nonguaranteed contracts and a spike in the salary cap looming next season, the Celtics can easily be players in free agency next summer.
Patience isn’t an easy thing to sell in these parts. But Ainge has committed to building this team so that it will be a sustained contender when the right opportunity arrives.
Until then, sit back and embrace the team the Celtics are putting together. There’s a good chance they’ll be hard to resist.
As John will attest, I’m not the most patient person on the planet. But I’m done stomping my feet and holding my breath with the lack of free-agent fireworks. Time to be patient, like I have any other choice.
On Page 2, why the hell would Marc Spears tweet about Phil Pressey?
Boston’s guard laden roster includes intriguing young PG Phil Pressey, whose contract has 15-16 team option of $947K with July 15 deadline.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 3, 2015
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In the midst of all the news about LMA, DAJ, Wesley Matthews and the dysfunctional Sacramento Kings, Marc Spears fired off that tweet about 15th man Phil Pressey.
Why?
As a favor to Phil or as a favor to the Celtics?
Just seems like an odd mention during the first days of free agency.
The rest of the links:
Globe – Young ready to claim his space | CSNNE – How do Celtics attract top free agents? Develop good players
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