Assistant coaches Ime Udoka (Nets), Darvin Ham (Bucks) and Chauncey Billups (Clippers) are expected to get interviewed a second time by the Celtics’ brass for the head coaching job vacated by new president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports. While that trio is viewed as serious candidates for the job, others are still under consideration.
Udoka has received endorsements from Celtics players who were members of the U.S. national team in the 2019 World Cup tournament, according to Wojnarowski. Ham has interviewed for several head-coaching jobs in the past two years, while Billups has drawn interest from the Trail Blazers, Wizards, Magic and Pelicans for their current openings.
We have more Celtics news:
- By shedding Kemba Walker‘s salary in a trade with the Thunder on Friday, the Celtics believe they’ll have a better chance of re-signing free agent Evan Fournier, Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald tweets. The trade also increases the possibility of signing another free agent to the full mid-level exception, Murphy adds.
- Walker’s 15% trade kicker was nullified due to his large salary, Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus tweets. Walker’s $34,379,100 salary this season, coupled with him being a nine-year veteran until August 2, exceeded the $32,742,000 maximum. He couldn’t earn anything above that, so the trade bonus was voided. If Walker had been traded once the new league year began in August, he could’ve received a portion of that bonus.
- Robert Williams and Marcus Smart are two other prominent players who could be on the move, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic. Boston’s roster is overloaded with centers and Williams could be used to bring in a backcourt piece. Smart has an expiring $14.4MM contract next season and is eligible for an extension that could go as high as $17.MM in the first year. If Smart believes he could get more on the free agent market next year, the team may consider moving him now and getting assets in return.
OKC fans must be thrilled at the prospect of re-building around Kemba Walker.
Thunder have enough first round picks to trade for a big three with picks alone; curious to see how they play this.
Rocket fans must be thrilled at the prospect of trading Harden for Avery Bradley, Olynyk and late first round picks.
Yeah, he’s pissed cause his team his absolute garbage and will be for quite awhile. Thunder rebuild will be nowhere near as long. Houston will be cannon fodder for a long time.
Rockets are literally building around Kevin Porter JR lmao and he has the nerve to talk.
SGA >>>> Rockets entire G league broke roster
They’re even MORE thrilled that they’re not Rockets fans and building around John Wall
Very curious approach. I do not think the moves outlined make the Celtics a better team, but perhaps Brad knows something I do not. A team which once was overloaded with young talent and low draft picks is now acting like a small-market cost-cutting operation. Perhaps they think their window is closing for a few years, so ‘reloading’ if not ‘rebuilding’.
Clearing cap space is not cost cutting lol
I would like Fournier on NY but not likely. OKC has enough picks to move up to #1
If I were Brooklyn or La Clippers I’d sign Mr. Big Shot for the playoffs. You can’t tell me he doesn’t have 15 games left
In him
I’m guessing they will be trying to move Smart and bits for a new point guard.
Here’s some ideas:
1.Marcus Smart for Spencer Dinwiddie (sign and trade) and a second round pick.
2. Marcus Smart for Kyle Lowry (sign and trade)
3. Marcus Smart, Tristan Thompson and Grant Williams for Pat Beverly and Marcus Morris
4. Marcus Smart and Carson Edwards for Eric Bledsloe and Josh Hart
5. Marcus Smart, Evan Fournier (sign and trade), Romeo Langford and a first round pick for CJ McCollum
1. Nets need a defender and leader like Smart, Celtics get Dinwiddie at the point and a pick not bad for an expiring deal.
2. Raptors need a new guard to replace Lowry, Smarts defence would fit well with FVV and Nick Nurse. Celtics get a proven leader for playoffs
3. Clippers swap scrappy defenders and add a better centre. Celtics get a defensive point guard leader to replace smart and Morris returns.
4. Pelicans need a better defence and Bledsloe sucks. Celtics get a point that can be a third/fourth option and Josh Hart.
5. Celtics give up as much as possible without being crazy for CJ to give them a third star. Portland gets two SGs for 1 and Smarts defence would be a huge improvement.
Some interesting thoughts. But as a Cs fan, I wouldn’t touch #3 (We already had Morris. Don’t want him again. And Beverly just isn’t a good player any more.) or #4 (I had the “privilege” of watching Bledsoe here in PHX and there’s not enough money or picks to make me want to watch him again.)
Yeah I’m not a C’s fan just putting in my 2 cents worth. Yeah fair enough on #3, I just thought Beverly Brown Tatum Morris and Horford could be a decent line up. Would be great defensively and then Fouriner off the bench. As for #4 fair enough haven’t really got an argument to sell you Bledsloe.
Personally I think #2 would be pretty likely deal as it’s simple and favours both sides.
Wow. If you’re Blazers, would you really trade CJ for that??
Idk what the market for CJ would be. He’s an undersized 2, that plays no defence but is a walking bucket. He’s getting older and never been an all star but getting paid big money.
Blazers need the upgrade on defence and Smart would be a great fit besides Dame and alongside RoCo. Then with Norman Powell and Derrick Jones Jr both possibly heading to FA, Fouriner would be a replacement bench scorer and could free up some cap space to spend in other areas. Plus a young player and a pick. It’s probably not enough but just in terms of fit, I think Smart would be a really good fit in Portland.
I don’t think #5 is allowed under the CBA – pretty sure you can’t combine players in a S&T.
I think I would be pretty pleased if either Udoka, Billups, or Carlisle got the job in Boston. Honestly which ever one makes Tatum and Brown happier in all in on
Whoever they hire should have a cool nickname just my 2 cents
If they resign that bum Evan Fournier then they are going nowhere the guys a stiff what did he offer in his lil time here nothing he was good on a bad team when he was on a good team (well great players) he was nowhere or lost don’t waste the little cap space we have on crap like have before with Kanter Thompson Teague Morris and all the other trash that doofus Danny brought to this team
Did you forget how punctuation works man?
Must be from BAW-STEN, eh?
I wouldnt trade Marcus Smart unless it was part of some big trade for an extremely significant piece
Trading Time Lord would be idiotic. “Overloaded” with centers? I don’t call Al “Grandpa” Horford a piece of the success puzzle. The guy’s skills have been diminishing for three years. Trade Horford for whatever they can get for him. Second-round pick, box of tissues, a Butterfinger bar. But keep Williams.