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.
“I like the moves we have made and I know [Celtics president of basketball operations] Danny [Ainge] is probably trying to make more to get better or more players to fit whatever he’s trying to do,” said Thomas, who sat next to Boston’s basketball boss during the first half of the Celtics’ summer league tilt against the Spurs Thursday night.
“I’m down for what [Ainge is] doing and I like the new guys.”
Ainge asked Thomas for advice on potential offseason targets before free agency started and the Sixth Man of the Year runner-up took to social media this offseason to playfully recruit some of the NBA’s top stars. Thomas said he also worked the phones hoping to persuade free agents to consider Boston.
“I think I’m pretty good at it,” Thomas said of his recruiting efforts. “Even in college [at the University of Washington], man, when guys come on visits, I was the guy they were hanging around with all weekend. So when Danny came to me about that, it was easy for me to say, ‘Yeah, I could try to do what I can.’ I know it’s going to be tough, but I can do what I can and tell people about how nice Boston is, because ever before I came to Boston, you don’t really know how nice it is, the tradition and what being on the Celtics is about until you are on the team.”
ESPN Boston – Isaiah Thomas: ‘I like the moves we have made’
Apparently Isaiah hasn’t learned the new art of recruiting in the NBA these days: emojis and locking players in their own house until the clock strikes midnight. Clearly, that’s why Danny Ainge and the Celtics haven’t been able to lure anybody here, other than Amir Johnson. Ainge needs to step up his emoji game, although he better not take lessons from Paul Pierce. At any rate, it’s always good to see a guy like Isaiah trying his hardest to not only sell the C’s, but the city of Boston as well. You have to love his approach to interviews and the honesty that he usually gives. He displayed as much last night during the second quarter of last night’s win against the Spurs in the Utah Summer League.
During the second quarter, he sat with the broadcast team and when he was asked if it bothered him that another guard was drafted, he didn’t hesitate when he said “it does bother me.” Now, that’s a good thing because he also expressed how it’s just more motivation for him to work hard and keep proving himself. Let’s hope he’s correct when he said he thinks Ainge has more moves planned.
On Page 2: C’s go under the cap for the first time in almost 20 years
The Celtics announced two of their moves last night, but held off on two others to try to take advantage of the NBA’s multifarious salary cap rules.
With the cap rising to $70 million and the Celts renouncing a number of long-departed players they’d kept on their sheet as cap holds, the club is now under the cap for what is believed to be the first time since just prior to the signing of Chris Mills as a free agent in August 1997.
As it stands, the C’s have some $9 million of space, and it’s likely they will take it out for a spin to see if they can facilitate other deals. That’s why they’re holding off on making official the signing of Jae Crowder and the acquisition of David Lee in a trade.
“We’re still working to try to put our team together, keeping our flexibility,” said president of basketball operations Danny Ainge.
As for any changes in approach that come with guiding a team that’s not over the salary cap, Ainge said, “It’s just different. I mean, it’s just different ways to build teams.
Boston Herald – Under cap, Celtics think
Not since the inaugural days of the Rick Pitino administration have the Celtics been under the salary cap. And if memory serves, they only got under the cap that summer because Pitino didn’t understand the cap rules and renounced the rights to several players (including Rick Fox and David Wesley) just so he could sign Travis Knight. There is probably something incorrect there, but in general, Pitino had no clue what to do with his newly created cap space.
I have full belief that Ainge does, and while the signings this summer of Amir Johnson, Jonas Jerebko and Jae Crowder don’t exactly make me think of those promised fireworks, they’re all on either really short deals (Johnson, Jerebko) or really bargain deals (Crowder). There aren’t really a ton of big time players left this year, and after Kevin Durant (forget it, there is no way he even takes a phone call from Ainge), next year’s FA class doesn’t exactly pack that “Summer of ’07” punch. But being under the cap also allows you to make uneven trades, so they could always obtain top talent that way. Cap space is just another card to play at the table when opportunities arise. Ainge has been racking up those cards by the quantity. Unfortunately we’ve discovered that it’s the quality of those “assets” that hasn’t panned out… yet.
Finally, James Young injures hip
The status of James Young is unclear heading into the Las Vegas Summer League after he suffered a hip injury in Thursday’s 85-71 win over San Antonio.
Young, who had one point in nine minutes of action, will be re-evaluated to determine the extent of the injury.
The 6-foot-7 wing has struggled throughout the summer league with his shot, and this injury certainly won’t help matters.
CSNNE – James Young injures hip vs. Spurs
Man, just another tough break for this kid. Apparently all that added muscle didn’t help pad his fall to the court. It’s too bad, but unfortunately he’s going to gain a reputation of being “injury prone” if this keeps up. It’s clear that C’s fans are rooting hard for him to become a player, and he’s still only 19 so he’s got a long leash still. Let’s hope it’s nothing serious and he can return during the Las Vegas Summer League and show some more skills… and start hitting shots. Getting beat out of the rotation by the legendary Gigi Datome last year was not good for Young. He doesn’t have to turn into a star this year, but he definitely needs to make Brad Stevens put him on the floor more often than not.
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston – Celtics dip below cap for first time in 6,530 days; start spending money
Boston Globe – Marcus Smart leads Celtics in Utah Summer League finale | Isaiah Thomas also trying to lure free agent stars to Celtics | Celtics make Amir Johnson, Jonas Jerebko signings official | Avery Bradley, Celtics captain?
Boston Herald – Celtics build house of guards | Celtics Notebook: Free to speak, Stevens likes signings
CSNNE – Thomas on Celtics offseason: ‘I like the new guys’ | Smart leads Celtics to 85-71 win over Spurs | Stars, studs and duds: Hunter finds shooting rhythm |Celtics announce Johnson and Jerebko signings | Breaking down NBA Eastern Conference moves | NBA still buzzing about DeAndre Jordan’s about-face |Bradley: ‘Sky is the limit’ for this year’s Celtics | Felger: Green Teamers live on ‘Planet Delusia’
MassLive – Brad Stevens, Danny Ainge discuss Boston Celtics signing Amir Johnson and Jonas Jerebko | Danny Ainge: Boston Celtics still figuring out roster, exploring opportunities | Isaiah Thomas likes Boston Celtics moves so far, thinks Danny Ainge might not be done
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