Your Morning Dump… Where we add Jarvis Hayes to the list

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.

With most of the higher-priced shooters off the free
agent board, CSNNE.com has learned that the Celtics have had some
conversations about one of the best still available, Jarvis Hayes.

In seven seasons, Hayes has a career average of 8.3 points
per game with his average never dipping below 6.7 points per game, but
never rising above 10.2.

And last season with the Nets, Hayes
averaged 7.8 points per game while shooting 42.1 percent from the field
which was slightly above his 41.5 percent career shooting average.

While Hayes remains an option, the C's have a few other
small forwards rated a bit higher on their wish list.

Although he
remains a long shot, the Celtics are reportedly still in the mix for
Matt Barnes after a sign-and-trade with Toronto and Orlando fell
through. Boston has also expressed interest in Rasual Butler, Larry
Hughes and Antoine Wright, in addition to looking into a number of
potential trade options involving Rasheed Wallace who is expected to
retire prior to the start of the 2010-2011 season.

CSNNE

Think of Hayes as a replacement for Michael Finley.

On Page 2, Chris Forsberg throws cold water on the Shane Battier speculation.

Meanwhile, (GM Daryl) Morey acknowledged that with the addition of Miller, the
Rockets will rank somewhere near the top five teams in the NBA in
payroll. In fact, unless they reduce the payroll during the season
through a trade, the Rockets will be in the luxury tax this season.
Morey said owner Les Alexander is willing to take that plunge with the
current roster.

"With a lot of key guys like Yao
Ming and Shane Battier [at the end of contracts] and the lockout
[looming] next year, we’re trying to make this is a special year and go
as far in the playoffs as we can," said Morey.

ESPN Boston – Battier, eh?

So much for that. Thanks Chris, thanks a lot.

The rest of the links:

Celtics Hub – New Zealand national team wants Perk? | CBS – Chris Paul wants out of New Orleans? | Yahoo! – Team USA roster shrinks | SI.com – Sneak peek at East contenders | Big 3 make 50 highest earning athletes list |