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Dikembe Offered Contract

According to a blog from the Houston Chronicle website, the Celtics have offered Dikembe Mutombo a veterans minimum contract of $1.2M.  According to the blog, the Rockets offtered Deke the same deal.  Hopefully we’ll find out what happens in the next day or two.-

Celtics Rumors and Notes 8/2

Return of JR Bremer

JR Bremer’s agent is reporting that the Celtics are looking at brining back guard JR Bremer to a one year, non guaranteed contract.  I have no problem with it, as long as it isn’t guaranteed.  We’re bringing in a lot of guys for one year deals, maybe we’ll go above 15 players, just as long as training camp has some real competitiveness.

Troy Hudson Heading to the Celts?

A Cleveland newspaper is reporting that sources claim that once Minnesota finishes the buyout, Troy Hudson is heading to Boston.  Hudson was good a couple of years ago, so maybe he can get that swagger back.

No Sign of Dikembe

The Celtics still have yet to reach an agreement on Dikembe Mutombo.  But I expect they will within the next couple of days.  Once Deke is locked up, they should also sign Kandi Man to a one year deal.  I thought he worked hard last year, and unlike Mark Blount, he really is a good influence in the locker room.  Plus, he was productive in his extended playing time.

Celtics Sign Eddie House

The Celtics have made their first moves in filling the remaining spots on their roster.  Today, Danny Ainge announced that the Celtics have signed free agent point guard, Eddie House.  House, who averaged 8.4 ppg for the Nets last year, is more of a pure shooting guard.  He shot 42% from beyond the arc.  I think he’s a good pickup because he is a good change of pace from Rondo.  If the Celtics picked up Brevin Knight, they would have two very similar point guards.  With the addition of House, they have an experienced guard who can provide different things than Rondo.  On the addition of House, Danny Ainge said:

“Eddie is one of the best shooters in the league.  He adds firepower to our bench and depth to our backcourt.”

House is exactly the kind of role player the Celtics need to make a championship run.  In addition to House, the Celtics also signed NBDL man Jackie Manuel, the North Carolina wing man.  Manuel averaged nearly 10ppg with the LA Defenders, and according to Ainge, “He’s a great defender.”  Again, a guy with a role.  If he makes the roster, he may see a similar role that Justin Reed saw a couple of years back.

The Celtics are also actively looking at center Dikembe Mutombo.  Mutombo is the oldest player in the league, but nevertheless, he can still defend and rebound.  Having his prescence and role on the team can only help.  And he likely won’t regret one more chance at a championship.

Celtics Free Agent Targets

Steve Bulpett and Mark Murphy in the Herald:

In a rather amazing turn of events, Boston has suddenly become a desirable city for NBA free agents. Agents for legitimate veteran players were actually calling the Celtics [team stats] yesterday, looking to place their clients in Boston as news of Kevin Garnett’s arrival spilled out further.

As for big men, Doc Rivers said the Celts are “very interested” in Dikembe Mutombo as a backup center, while P.J. Brown, Michael Ruffin, Calvin Booth and Scot Pollard are also under consideration.

With money tight as the Celtics head into the market, rookies Glen Davis and Brandon Wallace may get larger roles sooner than expected. 

Presently, agents and league sources confirm that the Celts are looking at four point guards and five big men as they try to find the right players to support their talented trio.

    Eddie House, Troy Hudson, Brevin Knight and Charlie Bell are reportedly on the point guard list. Bell is a restricted free agent, which makes his situation a little different (Milwaukee can match any offer he gets). Hudson had his contract bought out by the Timberwolves yesterday, making him a free agent. And while the C’s were previously steering away from Knight because of alleged locker room issues, a source said, “Hey, just about everyone that’s out there now has (a few) spots.”

    Presently, agents and league sources confirm that the Celts are looking at four point guards and five big men as they try to find the right players to support their talented trio.

    Eddie House, Troy Hudson, Brevin Knight and Charlie Bell are reportedly on the point guard list. Bell is a restricted free agent, which makes his situation a little different (Milwaukee can match any offer he gets). Hudson had his contract bought out by the Timberwolves yesterday, making him a free agent. And while the C’s were previously steering away from Knight because of alleged locker room issues, a source said, “Hey, just about everyone that’s out there now has (a few) spots.”

Welcome To Boston KG

There’s no way you can’t be pumped after watching this video! 

Celtics Agree on Trade Terms For Kevin Garnett

Well, it looks like it’s all but official now.  Kevin Garnett is going to be a member of the Boston Celtics.  The proposed trade package was constantly being thrown around, at one point, Al Jefferson wasn’t even in it (and my hopes were up).  Could you imagine that?  So it looks like the final trade package is as follows:

Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, RYAN GOMES, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, 2 first round picks

for

Kevin Garnett

Wow, that seems like an awful lot to give up.  Sure, we’ll contend in the Eastern Conference Finals for the next two years, and who knows, we may even have a chance for banner #17, but our package is too much to give up for ANY player.  Two years ago, the T’Wolves were only demanding three first rounders, but we’re giving them a heck of a lot more than that. 

However, there have been some discrepencies in the reported trade.  It has been rumored that Ryan Gomes is not part of the deal, Sebastian Telfair is a maybe, and it might only be one draft pick.  Then I would be okay with the deal.

If the full trade is what it is, then we are going to have real issues with the bench.  We’ll have Gabe Pruitt to back up Rondo, and he doesn’t even consider himself a point.  We’ll have Tony Allen to back up Ray Allen.  Brandon Wallace to back up Pierce.  Leon Powe/Brian Scalabrine/Glen Davis to back up Garnett.  And we’ll have no one to back up Perk, who is injury prone, unless the Celtics want to play Big Baby as a small center, which is probably the right idea.

But before the whole trade is completeted the Celtics need to work out an extension with Garnett.  On Real GM, it was reported that the two sides had agreed on a three year, $60 million extension.

In the short term, the Celtics now have one hell of a team.  If Rondo and Perk can develop into what they’ve been seen as, the Celtics will dominate next year.  They are probably the best, or second best team in the Eastern Conference now.  And who knows, if they make it to the finals, miracles can happen (ala Miami Heat over Dallas).

Gomes Part of Deal For KG

Bulpett reports:

Sources this morning are confirming that the Celtics’ deal for Kevin Garnett is essentially completed.

One involved source said the final package will have the Celts sending Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff and a No. 1 pick to Minnesota to acquire Garnett.

Further word is that the Celts and Garnett have reached an agreement in principle on a contract extension. You may recall a report here that Danny Ainge would not do the deal without such a guarantee of Garnett’s presence, and it appears now that the perennial All-Star is willing to forego the opt-out in his current deal for next summer and cast his lot with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and the Celtics.

We better call up Kevinn Pinkney, because this team is going to need a D-League inspired bench.  Isn’t Pittsnogle playing d-league too?

It Looks Like KG Is Coming To Boston

According to sources around the internet, it looks like a trade for Kevin Garnett to Boston is being finalized.  In the deal, the Celtics would send Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Gerald Green (maybe), and Sebastian Telfair (maybe), and possible draft picks to the Timberwolves for Kevin Garnett.  The only point holding up the trade is a contract extension between the Celtics and Garnett, who supposedly wants $125 million over 5 years, which is way to much in my opinion.

So I guess there are no pleads now, Kevin Garnett is coming to Boston.  I am going to miss Al Jefferson, who is my favorite all-time Celtic (since I began folowing them intensely in ’98).  I’m really going to miss him, and I wish him well in the future.  However, it is going to pain me when I see him dominate, 10 years after Garnett retires.

Garnett will immediately make the Celtics a contender, as they will boast the best trio in the league, a trio of three superstars.  Rondo is going to rack up a crazy amount of assists.  Now, it will be interesting if the Celtics can make a move on a couple of free agents, or smaller trades to bring in good, experienced veterans.  Say we picked up Chris Webber and Brevin Knight, I think that would solidify our team for a championship run.

Will it be 17?  Or will it be a couple of seasons of coming close?  No one knows, only time will tell.

Jefferson To Play Against US Olympic Team

Peter May reports in the Globe:

Al Jefferson’s summer just got a little more interesting. The Celtics power forward is expected to be among a group of up-and-comers who will scrimmage next month in Las Vegas against the United States national team. USA Basketball’s managing director, Jerry Colangelo, said last Sunday that he was in the beginning stages of formulating such a team, mentioning Portland’s Brandon Roy, the 2006-07 Rookie of the Year, as one participant. Jefferson’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, confirmed yesterday by e-mail that Big Al will also be part of the team, which will help prepare Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, and the rest of the national team for the upcoming Olympic qualifier, which runs Aug. 22 to Sept. 2 in Las Vegas. USA Basketball plans to announce the team sometime next week after getting the necessary commitments. The scrimmages will likely be held in the week leading up to the first game.

I’m going to be really excited to see Big Al go against the big dogs of basketball.  It’ll give us a measure of how good he really is, won’t it?  This is the only thing that could be considered “Celtics news” since the summer league.  I’ve got to say, this is starting to get really boring.