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.
The full @KDTrey5 meeting sked: OKC Thursday, GSW/Clippers Friday, Spurs/Celtics Saturday, Miami on Sunday, per source. That’s the list.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) June 30, 2016
Mark your calendar: the Celtics will make their case to Kevin Durant on July 2. Gather your good luck charms and direct all positive thoughts toward the Hamptons in New York. This is really happening.
Related: MassLive – Kevin Durant rumors: Boston Celtics meeting is Saturday, Oklahoma City Thunder could be planning Al Horford pursuit
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On Page 2: Your free agency primer
The NBA’s version of speed dating begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, with teams officially able to contact and negotiate with free agents.
There is a one-week moratorium period as the cap numbers get set, leaving clubs and players unable to execute their deals until July 7. And, as the Dallas Mavericks learned with the DeAndre Jordan Affair, there can be a veritable minefield between the proposal and the ’til-this-contract-expiration-do-us-part ceremony on the altar.
As this madness begins, here are five things to watch with the Celtics.
Herald – Bulpett: Celtics’ to-do list as NBA free agency opens
Summertime is upon us. That means so is NBA free agency.
It will be a crucial period for the Celtics, who are looking to add pieces — via free agency or trade — to get past the first round of the playoffs. But they’re not the only team desperate to make moves. The Thunder will try to retain Kevin Durant — the offseason’s biggest free agent — while the Warriors try to woo him away.
Globe – Your guide to NBA free agency
Probably every Celtics fan on the planet knows that the course of the franchise could change dramatically beginning tonight and during the next week. At least, we hope so. Whether through recruiting or trades or both, the free agency period offers the opportunity to add the talent that could make Boston a legitimate title contender. Or not. It’s an exciting but scary time.
The articles above give details of the how the free agent period works, brief looks at the top FAs, the Celtics’ salary cap info and considerations, and much more. Check them out, as well as the related links below, and prepare for a wild ride.
Related: CSNNE – Blakely: Boston Becoming A Favored Destination For Free Agents | NBC Sports – NBA Free Agency Preview: Top five power forwards | ESPN Boston – Meeting with Dwight Howard another encouraging sign for Celtics | ESPN – Five things to watch for in the NBA free-agency Thunderdome
On Page 3: Assorted Boston personnel news
All the focus is on Durant, but we can’t forget about the current roster. Here’s a summary of news from Wednesday.
According to league-related sources, Celts to give qualifying offers to Jared Sullinger & Tyler Zeller, making them restricted free agents.
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) June 29, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThis doesn’t mean Sully and Zeller will definitely be Celtics next season. It simply allows the Cs to retain the players’ rights and match any contract offers from other teams.
Regarding Dwight Howard, hearing that right now Celtics have no plans for aggressive pursuit. Will always listen to see if a price is right.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) June 29, 2016
Step away from the ledge, Celtics fans. Sounds like the meeting may be more low-key than originally thought. And what do the expert commentators think about acquiring DH? According to these related links, they love the idea and they hate the idea:
Related: Boston.com – As annoying as he can be, Dwight Howard would be a good on-court fit with the Celtics | Bleacher Report – Would You Pay Dwight Howard $31 Million? | CSNNE – Welsh: Dwight Howard Is ‘A Cancer’ On A Basketball Team | Mannix: ‘Absolutely’ Sign Howard On 2- Or 3-Year Deal
Guerschon Yabusele confirmed he plans to play on Boston Celtics’ summer league entry, but fellow first-round pick Ante Zizic may not join him.
Based on a report from the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, Zizic is unlikely to suit up for the Celtics’ team in the Utah and Las Vegas summer leagues.
MassLive – Boston Celtics summer league: Guerschon Yabusele in, Ante Zizic likely out
There was no explanation why Zizic won’t be available, but a preview of Gabusele will get us either irrationally excited or sad for a few days.
Some analysts thought Jackson would go in the middle of the first round, but he fell to the Celtics at No. 45 – where they felt “very fortunate” to pick him, according to Danny Ainge.
“I learned throughout the process that after you get drafted, you’re all on the same starting point,” Jackson said at the Madison Park Community Center, where the Celtics unveiled a renovated gym. “So I just want to come in, work hard. I know there’s a lot of room for improvement, so I just definitely want to get better, learn from all those coming before me. But for me, a kid coming from nothing, being homeless at one point in time, not having very many things growing up, I think being drafted in itself is really good.”
MassLive – Boston Celtics’ Demetrius Jackson undeterred by NBA Draft slide
This is a generalization, but the Celtics have so many players who come across as high-character, genuinely good people. Perhaps that’s one reason fans recoiled in horror at the thought of the widely disliked Howard coming to Boston.
Related: CSNNE – Jackson: ‘I’ve Been A Fan Of [Stevens] For A Long Time’ (video)
And, finally: Time for a new rivalry?
Jaylen Brown really seemed to enjoy a clinic the Boston Celtics hosted Wednesday at the Madison Park Community center. The No. 3 overall draft pick defended children going through dribbling drills. He offered advice about establishing goals and the importance of education. He chatted with kids, took pictures with them, and, yes, even dunked on one trash-talking child.
“You have to have that instinct,” Brown smiled after the clinic, which was put on to celebrate the Celtics’ renovations of the Roxbury gym. “He challenged me and I just blacked out. He said, ‘You ain’t good.’ He said Ben Simmons (the No. 1 overall draft pick) is better. So I said alright, OK.”
MassLive – Boston Celtics draft pick Jaylen Brown dunks on child: ‘He said Ben Simmons is better’
First it was Russell vs. Chamberlain. Then Bird vs. Dr. J. Is Brown vs. Simmons the next Boston-Philly rivalry? It might be headed that way, based on this episode, which – judging by social media reaction – has won over a lot of Celtics fans who may have been booing Jaylen on draft night. You’ve probably already seen the video of the posterization, but why not watch it again?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6w8fjw8C2I]The Rest of the Links:
Washington Post – Joakim Noah expected to sign with New York Knicks for $18 million a year
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