Breakdown of Avery Bradley's Potential
- A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com weighed in on what he believes Celtics guard Avery Bradley‘s ceiling and floor is as a player. The scribe lauds Bradley’s positive impact on the team, noting that if he can improve his outside shooting, the guard could perform at an All-Star level for the team. At worst, Bradley will remain a defensive-stopper who provides far more than shows up in the nightly box score, Blakely opines.
Celtics Notes: Horford, Green, Brown
Isaiah Thomas has embraced the idea of sharing the spotlight in Boston with new addition Al Horford, A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com writes. Thomas anticipates that there will be a learning curve as the two stars build chemistry, but he does not expect it to be a long one, Blakely adds.
“It’s only going to help. That’s what we need, other guys that can put the ball in the basket, other guys that can do a variety of different things and he’s one of those guys,” Thomas told Blakely. “The attention will go off me a little bit with having Al Horford on our team.”
Here’s more out of Boston:
- Thomas applauded all of the Celtics’ moves this summer, but especially expressed a fondness for Gerald Green‘s return to Boston because Green can guard multiple positions and shoot well, Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com relays. “We need something like that,” Thomas said, referring to Green.
- Celtics rookie Jaylen Brown performed well during the Las Vegas portion of the summer league and said he had no plans to rest in the 10-week period between its conclusion and the beginning of training camp, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe writes. Brown, who plans to work with his personal trainer during that time period, added he has talked with Celtics coach Brad Stevens about the best opportunity to earn minutes, Washburn relays.
Celtics Hope Rozier's Playoff Experience Helps Development
- The Celtics are hoping the playoff experience that guard Terry Rozier gained this past season will help his development moving forward and allow the player to earn more minutes in the rotation, Josue Pavon of WEII 93.7 FM relays. “One of the things I said before training camp is that I’m smarter [now],” Rozier said. “I felt like I could always play, but I just feel that my opportunity came late obviously in the playoffs [last season]. I got to see that as a rookie early and it made me smarter to just see things. Then, this summer I went over a lot of things and touched on things I could do as a point guard. I think I just became smarter more than anything.”
Celtics Maintain Interest In Nerlens Noel?
According to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com, Noel hasn’t asked to be traded and nothing tangible is in the works at this point. However, multiple sources tell Blakely that the former Kentucky Wildcat would be “very open” to being dealt if the Sixers choose to go in that direction. One league source also informed Blakely that the Celtics continue to have interest in Noel.
Allen May Need To Mend Fences With Ownership If Eyeing Return
- Ray Allen has reportedly has had discussions with a number of teams regarding a potential NBA comeback. But if the veteran shooting guard is serious about a potential reunion with the Celtics, some fences would need to be mended with team ownership first, Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe Opines (Video link).
And-Ones: Jones, Buycks, Stephenson
Perry Jones III has agreed to play in Russia this upcoming season with Khimki Moscow, international journalist David Pick reports (Twitter link). Jones spent last season with the Iowa Energy of the D-League after being waived by the Boston Celtics. He was selected by the Thunder with the 28th overall pick in the 2012 draft.
Here’s more from around the league:
- Dwight Buycks will play in China for Fujian Quanzhou, Pick reports in a separate tweet. Buycks played for the team last season before coming stateside to join the Oklahoma City Blue of the D-League.
- Lance Stephenson may have to look overseas if he wants to play next season, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe writes. Washburn contends that Stephenson has the talent to play in the NBA, however, his personality may be scaring teams away.
- Stephenson made a bet on himself back in 2014 when he bypassed a five-year, $44MM deal from the Pacers in favor of a shorter deal with the Hornets. Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders revisits the shooting guard’s decision and examines the decisions of other players whom have taken shorter deals with the hope of cashing in on a big payday only to be disappointed by what the market offers.
Celtics Could Have Pursued J.R. Smith
- The Celtics could have made an offer to J.R. Smith this offseason, but that door closed when the team used most of its remaining cap space to re-sign Tyler Zeller, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe writes.
Nader, Celtics May Reach Impasse
The Celtics have a little more than a month to decide what to do with No. 58 pick Abdel Nader, writes Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. Teams have until September 10th to submit a required tender offer to second-rounders in order to retain their rights. However, they often have an understanding that the player won’t accept the offer, because if he does and fails to make the 15-man roster, he becomes a free agent. Nader and the Celtics’ front office may disagree on his immediate future, with Boston preferring that Nader agree to spend all of next season with its Maine affiliate in the D-League. But the Iowa State alum, who was the second-leading scorer on the Celtics’ summer league team, may not be willing to make that commitment. “He’s an NBA player, that’s my belief,” said Cervando Tejeda, Nader’s agent. “Right now, we have to decide what the next move is.”
Ray Allen Has Spoken To Celtics, Bucks
Former All-Star shooting guard Ray Allen has had conversations with the Celtics and Bucks as he contemplates an NBA comeback at age 41, writes Dom Amore of The Hartford Courant. Both teams have a special significance for Allen, who won an NBA title with Boston in 2008 and broke into the league with Milwaukee in 1996.
“I would love going back to those places if it worked out,” Allen said, “because both teams are good, too. It doesn’t necessarily have to be championship-or-bust for me to go back to the NBA. I want to be in a situation where I thought I could help, play a little bit and help where they have good young talent.”
Allen hasn’t played in the league since 2013/14, when he appeared in 73 games for Miami, mostly as a reserve. He said he has started going through intense workouts to prepare him for NBA competition and has felt “great” afterward.
After winning titles with the Celtics and Heat, there has been speculation that Allen may want to join the defending champion Cavaliers or the runner-up Warriors to give himself the best shot at another ring. The Spurs and Clippers have also been mentioned as possible destinations, and Allen said Knicks’ super-fan Spike Lee has been texting him about coming to New York.
Allen made it clear that a return to the league is not definite and said he will make a decision by the time training camps open late next month. His choice will be based on finding the right franchise and the right role.
“My decision is predicated on what is available,” he said. “I said that I was interested because I never retired for a reason. I’ve been watching, seeing what teams have been doing and I’ve been waiting to see if the opportunity presented itself where I think I could fit.”
Debate Over Frontcourt Starters
- A panel of NBA writers, facilitated by Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com, weighed in on whom the Celtics will start alongside newly signed Al Horford at power forward. The group was divided, with Amir Johnson narrowly edging out Kelly Olynyk for the starting nod. According to the panel, coach Brad Stevens‘ choice will come down to his preference for Olynyk’s scoring ability versus Johnson’s superior rebounding and defense. Feel free to weigh in on who you’d pick in the comments section below.
- We at Hoops Rumors are in the process of breaking down each teams’ cap situation heading into the new season and we’ve already looked at the Celtics and Nets from the Atlantic Division.