Around the NBA

This juicy tidbit comes to us from the Miami Herald: Heat fans should appreciate Ray Allen next season, because there’s no assurance he will be here beyond that. Two sources with direct knowledge tell us that Allen’s two-year deal with the Heat includes a $3.2 million player option for 2013-14. So if Allen wants to become a free agent again next July, [...]

Via ESPN.com’s Marc Stein and Chad Ford: Sources told ESPN.com that the Rockets, if they go ahead with their widely reported plans to release starting power forward Luis Scola via the NBA’s amnesty clause, are prepared to absorb the contracts of Jason Richardson, Glen Davis and Chris Duhon — in addition to sending Orlando multiple [...]

We often wonder what opposing teams, their beat reporters and bloggers are saying about the Celtics.  Here’s a look at some enemy chatter from Miami. Was friction with Rondo a factor? I haven’t spoken with him at all. I know when i came down here I texted Paul and Kevin… we shared a similar philosophy. [...]

The Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets are ramping up the trade talk for Dwight Howard. The Nets are seeking multiple partners to sweeten the pot for Orlando. But some GMs aren’t sure they want to help Brooklyn land the center piece of their mega-team: Multiple league executives told ESPN.com on Sunday that there is growing reluctance [...]

According to a report by Marc Stein of ESPN.com, the Celtics and Courtney Lee have met, and the Celtics have emerged as a “serious suitor” for Lee. The Boston Celtics have emerged as a serious suitor for Courtney Lee after coach Doc Rivers met with the free-agent guard Saturday night, according to sources familiar with [...]

The 76ers are making some news today. First, the signing of shooting guard Nick Young to a super cheap contract: Multiple reports including Yahoo and ESPN confirm through Nick Young’s agent that he has agreed to an offer sheet with the Philadelphia 76ers on a one-year deal worth $6 million. Wait. It wasn’t a four-year, $30 million [...]

Ray Allen’s options have just dwindled after the Los Angeles Clippers signed Jamal Crawford and Chauncey Billups.  The Clippers were informed on Thursday that guards Jamal Crawford and Chauncey Billups intend to sign contracts with the team when the NBA’s moratorium period is lifted for free agents to sign deals, according to NBA executives who were not authorized to speak publicly on the [...]

Well then… we didn’t see this coming, did we? In an unforeseen twist that could thrust the Los Angeles Lakers straight back into title contention, two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash has successfully negotiated a sign-and-trade deal from the Phoenix Suns to the Lakers that will team him up with Kobe Bryant, according to sources with [...]

There is a quick update on the Jason Terry signing.  While there was some doubt left while giving the Mavericks a chance to match the Celtics offer, it appears that time has come and passed.  Dallas has lost out on the Deron Williams sweepstakes and appears ready to move on without Terry.  Terry spoke with Fox [...]

One of my lasting memories of the Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76′ers series was thinking “How can we keep Spencer Hawes in this game.”  He was terrible in that series, and Doug Collins’ insistence on using him was part of the reason why the Celtics won. But Philly was undeterred by Hawes playing terribly in [...]