The Celtics are expected to apply for a disabled player exception in the wake of Danilo Gallinari‘s ACL tear, a source tells Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. A report Friday indicates that Gallinari hasn’t given up hope of playing toward the end of the upcoming season, but it appears to be a long shot given his age and the severity of the injury.
If the request is approved, Boston’s DPE would be about $3.2MM, which is half of Gallinari’s salary for 2022/23. The team would be able use that amount to sign a free agent, claim a player off waivers or acquire a player through trade, though Himmelsbach views that last option as unlikely because the Celtics already have two trade exceptions that are worth more.
Boston signed Gallinari in July to provide veteran help off the bench and another three-point shooting threat. His contract includes a $6.8MM player option for next season that he seems almost certain to exercise in light of the injury.
There’s more from Boston:
- With Gallinari likely unavailable for the entire season, Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe looks at some options that are still available on the free agent market. He points to Carmelo Anthony, who might welcome the chance to end his career on a title contender, along with DeMarcus Cousins, Jeremy Lamb, Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge. Washburn notes that Kevin Durant‘s trade demand worked to the Celtics’ advantage because it froze the free agent market for several weeks, leaving a wealth of veteran players available in September.
- Malcolm Brogdon may used as the primary backup wing to Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, Brian Robb of MassLive writes in a mailbag column. Brogdon, who was acquired from the Pacers in July, has the size to handle the role at 6’5″ and is probably the team’s best defensive option at that position. Robb notes that it would also provide more backcourt minutes for Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.
- Grant Williams will likely ask for a starting salary in the mid-teens in his extension negotiations, Robb adds in the same piece. Robb doesn’t believe president of basketball operations Brad Stevens will meet that price, even though Williams becomes more important with Gallinari sidelined.
Pacers agreed to send Malcolm Brogdon to the Celtics in exchange for players and 2023 First
My Celtics grade
B+
Malcolm Brogdon’s knee’s are made out of glass! The Pacers quickly found that out after they signed him to the big contract. He fell to the 2nd round of the NBA Draft where Milwaukee scooped him up because of concern over his knee’s! Brogdon has a big name and big contract to match, but he also has, and has always had, bad knee’s! This is why Milwaukee, where he had great success, let him walk rather than pay the fat deal.
Well, we shall see about Malcolm Brogdon & his knees. Hopefully good Celtics karma will return. For the first time in years the Celtics were fairly healthy for last season’s Playoffs. Previously some key player got hurt & we were through before we got started. With Danilo Gallinari hurt before he even played one game for us, bad karma got us again. Remember Gordon Haywood? Anyway, Go Celtics!
I wouldn’t mind them trading White or G. Williams for one of the Jazz vets over signing any of the over the hill gang
One probably wouldn’t stop the other.
Boston absolutely needs to be engaged with Utah. Same as the Lakers, the focus needs to be on prying away Malik Beasley and Jarryd Vanderbilt. They will be costly, but these two guys would give Boston great flexibility. Both could be impact guys as starters, or off the bench. Beasley can play on and off the ball, and shoots the three. Vanderbilt with his defense, rebounding and young legs is just what the Boston frontcourt needs! Robert Williams has proven he is talented, but will never be healthy enough to stay on the floor long enough to make a difference.
Robert Williams will never “stay on the floor long enough to make a difference?”
They almost won the whole thing with him on the floor !!
He played through injury and was a fantastic rim protector. The man’s a stud. He has proven that.
You are right Rob made an Impact last year and he definitely is a stud. But he did need to have his knee drained after games in the playoffs. I think Rob is a tough guy and willing to play through things, but eventually it takes a toll. The question is how long can he keep fighting through his knee issues. Look at Brandon Roy, his career was over after 4 years
All the injuries take a toll on these guys bodies. They have a number that represents their age, and then their is a number that represents what the “real” age of their bodies are.
Brogdon is still an excellent free throw shooter. His perimeter shooting has taken a dip. When the knee’s are hurting. He can’t make shots. Let alone guard anybody!!!
Robert Williams played through the “pain” last year. Those extra games ….. Watch how many games he misses this year after the playoffs and intensity on those knee’s.
There is the regular season, and then the playoffs. Guys also need to understand that Giannis figured out some more things last year. He saved another gear for the playoffs. He was a Beast! Add back Middleton and whatever other tweaks they make at the deadline ….. Only a loaded Brooklyn team can stop them.
The Celtics have upgraded nothing! Following the Phoenix plan. Gets you to the Finals, and then it is all disappointment from there.
So I hear you. Malcom Brogdon can’t make his shots if his knees are hurting. Thanks! I’ll watch for that. I know I had that thought, wondering about Kemba Walker & Kyrie Irving and maybe some others. Go Celtics!
Their body’s age is the same as their “real” age genius.
So what’s often injured Durant’s “real” age?
Same question about Kyrie…
Yep, I 100% agree that TimeLord has already made a huge difference! Our Boston Celtics haven’t had a jumping jack like him going way way back, maybe ever. He gives us a wonderful lob game on offense & really made our defense special! Unique even! Which other center can cover three point shooters & even block their shots? Or is quick & good enough to switch everything?
I’m hoping & thinking Robert ‘TimeLord’ Williams is just getting started. I believe he can be an All-Star this year. And I see no proof he can’t play a full schedule and for years to come. I’m not sure I’d trade him for anyone straight up, well maybe a few guys, the Greek Freak, etc
Go Celtics!
You see “no proof” he can’t play a full schedule for “years to come”. LMAO
So delighted I gave you a big laugh! LYourAO!
I get the same chuckle when I read 100% sure predictions about the future! Ha, ha! Glad I don’t bet on any of them! But I know these blogs are here for many to predict, then besmirch others with different opinions.
Guess we’ll both watch TimeLord play a bit more closely this upcoming season.
Go Celtics!
I predicted Dylan Cease for American League Cy Young Award winner in March. Look it up! My predictions will make you money!
So delighted I gave you a belly laugh!
I get s similar chuckle when I read 100% sure predictions about the future! Ha, ha! Glad I don’t bet on any of them! But I know these blogs are here for many to predict, then besmirch others with different opinions.
Guess we’ll both watch TimeLord play a bit extra closely this upcoming season.
Go Celtics!
Boston’s season rides on how healthy R. Williams and Brogdon remain so if I were a Boston fan I would looking for as many four-leaved clovers as I could find and hope they get some reliable guys like Very Barry suggested.
You and very Barry got it all figured out
No offense Curtis but my favorite Celtic is Hondo.
Me too. I got his autograph when I was a kid.
Nice! I’m jealous!
case, I actually would rather keep the guys you mentioned over any of the jazz players. White was incredible in fact once he came over. Those Jazz guys will not improve the success of the team even though say a Bogdanovic would be better offensively than Grant williams.
Exactly! I don’t know why he doesn’t get credit but Derrick White has been outstanding since he came to the Celtics! Just what we needed! Races the ball up court for easy baskets. Passes, gets offense going, he’s quick, smart and plays great team play, terrific on defense with great IQ. Tall. Makes clutch threes & FT’s. Just great.
But experts, who don’t watch us play have to fixate on some stat, & besmirch, don’t they?
White deserves much more credit than he gets. He really made our Celtics team so much better! Check out our record after Derrick White arrived. Go Stevens!
Go Celtics!
I am eager for the 2022-23 playoffs to begin!
I am looking forward to watching #4 seed Boston get beat by #5 seed Miami in the 1st round of the Playoffs.
1 seed Brooklyn
2 seed Milwaukee
3 seed Cleveland
4 seed Boston
5 seed Miami
6 seed Toronto
7 seed Philadelphia
8 seed Atlanta
Bring bandanas C gang with DeMarcus & Melo
???
Really don’t think either DeMarcus or Melo would fit in and help. But I’ll certainly support anyone Brad Stevens decides on. And I’d rather go homegrown than buying someone. Maybe Sam Hauser has developed? Maybe Mfiondu Kabenngele? Maybe Luke Kornet?
Go Celts!
Celtics should apply for the DPE and then get Avery Bradley.
Add another 3 and D wing/guard who knows the team and should be able to adjust with ease. Hopefully he can do better than his time with the Lakers.
I’d try play smaller line ups and see how that goes
White Smart Brown Tatum RWill
Pritchard Brogdan GWill Horford
JD Davison Bradley Kornet
White and Brogdan are some what interchangeable. White would line up as the better defender and Brogdan as the better shooter and scorer.
Bradley is washed and doesn’t fill a position of need. They need another big.
Not to mention. He knows the organization. Not the team. He’s been gone forever.
Celtics got rid of Bradley for being a rapist. I doubt they are interested in bringing him back
Where did you hear he was a rapist?
Celtics fans loved Avery Bradley but he’s too small for this current Celtics team. Our identity is now defense & short guys build in an inherent weakness. Love AB but no thanks.
Go Celtics!
What I don’t understand: why wouldn’t they just trade away Gallinari to a team that’s tanking?
Buy-out probably would be too expensive, they could just keep him on the roster until trade deadline or next season.
It’s not that simple.
He has a player option for next year. So, you’re trying to trade a two year contract.
He may never be the same, so the acquiring team is going to want a lot of value to take on the contract.
Because it will cost you a first round pick to do so. The exception application is way better. You can sign or trade for a guy for 3.2 or whatever that number is.
Funny to see the writer acting like the group of veteran free agent players no one wants is only due to the KD trade ask.
Since it’s been almost 2 weeks since his capitulation and they’re still unsigned, he wasn’t the reason.