Free Agent Rumors: Lucas, Camby, Lewis
Jeff Green reached an agreement to remain with the Celtics on Saturday, while Aaron Brooks became an unrestricted free agent after the Suns withdrew their qualifying offer to the guard. What will Sunday bring? Here are the latest rumors on a number of free agents still on the market:
- The Heat have interest in unrestricted free agent point guard John Lucas III, reports Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com.
- Marcus Camby's meeting with the Knicks today was "very positive," a source tells Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com, and Zwerling hears that Camby is drawn to the Knicks because of his "great relationship" with GM Glen Grunwald.
- "Everything went well" during the Heat's meeting with Rashard Lewis today, as Lewis' agent tells David Aldridge of TNT (Twitter link). Lewis has yet to make a decision, with the Knicks and Hawks still in the running, Aldridge says.
Earlier updates:
Odds & Ends: Magic, Beasley, Rockets, Cousins
The Celtics have had a mixed bag of an offseason thus far as they've managed to retain major pieces such as Kevin Garnett and Jeff Green, but lost Ray Allen last week to the Heat. The latest news out of Boston makes the Jason Terry signing look even more important as Avery Bradley is expected to miss the start of the season as he undergoes surgery on his right shoulder later this week. While he could be back shortly after the season begins, the young guard will miss training camp and could be out until mid-December, writes Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. Let's check in around the league to catch up on the latest news and stories making headlines…
Celtics Rumors: Stiemsma, Bradley, Cap
It's been a busy day in Boston, and that's not even counting the doubleheader between the Red Sox and Yankees. You can head over to MLB Trade Rumors for baseball news, but we've got the Celtics covered right here. Already today they've reached an agreement with Jeff Green, and we've heard that negotiations between C's restricted free agent big man Greg Stiemsma and the Timberwolves are on hold, perhaps allowing Boston a chance to woo him back. Stiemsma's agent, however, says his client prefers the Timberwolves and is willing to be patient with them, according to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune (Twitter link). Here's more of what we're hearing:
Celtics Close To Re-Signing Jeff Green
SATURDAY, 1:33pm: As Matt Moore of CBSSports.com points out, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe passed along a comment from Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge that seems to indicate Green and the Celtics have agreed to terms.
"We've added a couple of great professionals in Jeff Green and Jason Terry and we drafted three guys that I think are very professional and add to the locker room," Ainge said in Washburn's report. "Talent is a hard thing to find but we put a great deal of value into what goes on in the locker room also."
It could merely be a slip of the tongue, but it's seemingly one more indication of how close the two sides are. Terry and the Celtics reached an agreement Tuesday.
FRIDAY, 7:55am: SI.com's Sam Amick reports that Green and the Celtics continue to talk, but it appears likely they'll be ready to finalize a deal when the moratorium ends next Wednesday.
Atlantic Notes: Allen, Celtics, Williams, Brand
Earlier this evening, Celtics fans were disappointed to learn that sharpshooter Ray Allen has opted to leave the C's for the Heat. The shooting guard turned down what was reportedly a two-year, $12MM offer to stay in Boston in favor of a three-year deal worth just over $9MM.
Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com writes that the loss of Allen is effectively a double-whammy for the C's as they cannot easily turn around and sign a similar player to offset the loss. This is because the Celtics only have the bi-annual exception available to lure a player in. Boston may also bring back swingman Mickael Pietrus, but for now it would seem that they'll have to bank on quality production and perimter shooting from Jason Terry to fill the gap. Here's more out of the Atlantic..
Latest On Ray Allen
2:47pm: Allen left Miami without giving the Heat an answer on their offer and is "torn" on whether to leave the Celtics, says Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com. TNT's David Aldridge adds (via Twitter) that the Grizzlies and Timberwolves are still options, though Allen doesn't have plans to visit either team. I'd guess his decision comes down to Miami and Boston.
FRIDAY, 1:54pm: The Timberwolves are the "dark-horse" in the chase for Allen, tweets Ric Bucher of ESPN.com. As Bucher acknowledges though, Minnesota is an extreme long shot.
Free Agent Rumors: Hill, Dragic, McGee, Shved
Happy Fourth of July to all of our American readers! Even though it's a holiday, we're expecting more free agent developments, so we'll be providing our usual updates all day long. Here are a few of Wednesday's more minor free agent rumors, with the latest items added to the top of the page throughout the day….
- Frank Isola of the New York Daily News tweets that Grant Hill will either join Steve Nash in signing with the Lakers or retire.
- Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic tweets that the Suns are unwilling to offer Goran Dragic the $10MM per year he is reportedly seeking.
- Ken Berger of CBSSports.com (Twitter link) hears that negotiations between JaVale McGee and the Nuggets are "going well."
Earlier updates:
Mavericks, Jason Terry Part Ways
Yesterday, it was reported that the Boston Celtics had reached an agreement with free-agent shooting guard Jason Terry, but that Terry would give his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, the chance to match Boston's offer. However, Terry tells Fox Sports Florida's Chris Tomasson on Wednesday that the Mavericks did not offer him a contract, and he will likely sign with Boston in the coming days.
Celtics Close To Three-Year Deal With Jason Terry
1:43pm: A source tells ESPN.com's Marc Stein (Twitter link) that Terry is expected to give the Mavericks a chance to match the three-year offer before agreeing to sign with Boston.
1:38pm: A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com confirms (via Twitter) that the Celtics are close to signing Terry for their full mid-level exception. Spears adds (via Twitter) that the deal is expected to be for three years.
Marcus Camby Considering Six Teams
TUESDAY, 1:06pm: Camby has updated his wish list, replacing the Celtics with the Nets, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. The timing is a little odd, as Brooklyn committed its mid-level exception to Mirza Teletovic today, so Camby would have to sign for the bi-annual exception or veteran's minimum to end up in Brooklyn.
The Rockets, Knicks, Heat, Spurs, and Mavericks are Camby's other options.