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.
Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers made his first phone call on Sunday, the official opening of free agency in the NBA, to Ray Allen. He said he does not think the call was in vain, despite a variety of reports that have the Celtics’ guard ticketed for Miami, Memphis or ABB (Anywhere But Boston.)
“It’s a stretch for me to see him go somewhere else,” Rivers said after completing a morning round of golf in the Boston area.
As for fellow Celtics free agent Jeff Green, Rivers said, “We’re going after Jeff. We’re going to get Jeff. I believe that, yes.”
The Celtics, according to sources, are increasingly optimistic they’ll be able to re-sign unrestricted free agent forward Jeff Green to a new contract, and are also more hopeful now they can keep Allen in the fold instead of losing him to the Miami Heat. The final decision is Allen’s, of course, and he’ll weigh offers from several teams. including the Heat and Grizzlies, in the next few days.
But Boston is hopeful that the last few days’ worth of events, including Garnett’s decision to agree on a three-year extension, combined with the selection of Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo in last Thursday’s Draft, combined with the team’s strong showing through Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals, will convince the 36-year-old Allen to accept the team’s two-year, $12 million offer.
[…] The Celtics will also have their mid-level exception to use to pursue another guard who can play both positions and help ease the burden on Rondo. Dallas’ Jason Terry is one of Boston’s top targets.
We’re at a point now where if the Celtics DON’T sign Jeff Green, I’d be shocked. The Celtics won him over in December with how they handled his heart issue. Now the question is, how much will he sign for? If they can get him closer to $7 million, that’d be a steal considering the money being thrown around today. If they get him for $9 million, that’s about right considering that’s what they were going to pay him last year anyway. I’m hoping Green gives the C’s a break financially so they have a couple of other options for signing players with the cap exceptions. Green’s agent is in town today because he’s also Jared Sullinger’s agent, and the rookies are meeting the media. So we might get some news later, especially when Green’s agent says things like this:
“He’s developed a very good relationship with Doc (Rivers, the head coach). And now that Sullinger is up there, as the Garnett era winds down, I could see the two of them as bookend forwards,” Falk said.
Jason Terry has emerged as a possibility, and it’s looking like the Celtics will have their full, non-taxpayer mid-level to play with ($5 million for contracts as long as four years). I’m not saying pencil him into the lineup yet… but it’s starting to look like the other options we’ve been hearing about are falling out of the Celtics price range. OJ Mayo is going to get more than that, as is Jamal Crawford in all likelihood. So It might come down to Terry signing for all or part of that $5 million over a few years.
Does that mean Ray Allen is coming back? Well, the Celtics can offer him more money, and there’s a chance he could be a starter to start the season since Avery Bradley won’t be ready to go right away… plus his family is here and moving is a pain in the ass… it all adds up to him staying. As long as the money is around what he’d get somewhere else, the situation in Boston just makes the most sense for Ray.
One other note in the Aldridge column on NBA.com… he does note the Celtics hope to re-sign Greg Stiemsma. However this breakdown of salaries suddenly changes the landscape for Stiemsma, and might price him out of Boston. Still, the Celtics could be a couple of steps away from getting the band back together.
Related links: WEEI: Could Ray Allen be back with the Celtics? | Herald: Celtics take early shot at Allen | Globe: Ainge confirms KG’s return, hopes to sign Allen
The rest of the links
CSNNE: Stiemsma to meet with Wolves | ESPN Boston: Summer Romance: C’s and Swaggy P?
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