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Breaking News: Amir Johnson is coming to Boston

And Danny Ainge finally breaks the seal. Not the biggest name on the market, but Johnson will help the Celtics defend. No, he’s not the legitimate rim protector we’re looking for but he has value (ESPN Scouting Report):

– Outstanding help defender; strong and agile in the lane.

– Finishes well around the hoop; struggles on the perimeter.

– Good, not great rebounder; better on the offensive glass.

Question is… is he worth $12 million per? And what do the Celtics need with a 28 year old role player? 

Johnson joins Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, Tyler Zeller and Jonas Jerebko in the front court. Yup, Jonas is coming back:

$17 million in salary next year allocated to two role players. Yikes.

I’m not sure yet if these signings prohibit the Celtics from pursuing a guy like Tobias Harris.

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  • RedwasKing

    It certainly does prohibit their ability to give somebody the max, unless they amnesty Wallace. They had an estimated $26M in cap space prior to these signings. Don’t forget about Jae Crowder as well. I like Johnson but the price is way too high.

    • stevemb34

      I’m just thinking/hoping these guys are trade chips/insurance for whatever Danny’s trying to do. We don’t need 6 undersized forwards or 5 undersized guards. There’s a deal somewhere and we’re just grabbing chips.
      …I hope

      • RedwasKing

        Lets trade Gerald Wallace, Kelly Olynyk, Jared Sullinger and the Rondo TPE for Anthony Davis :p

        • Curt Hays

          You’d probably have to also give them Tom Brady and David Ortiz.

          • eddysamson

            No swap out Gronk + Edelmen for Brady since they already have Brees

          • stevemb34

            DONE

          • forever_green

            Or some Opium.

      • Astarot

        Hope is the only thing left. Rondo’s TPE is the only chance to somehow get Harris deal done (tough I don’t have a clue how it works)

        • Adam Stark

          Yes it is possible, we would have to give up some draft picks. Maybe that’s why we haven’t re-signed crowder.

          • Astarot

            Give up picks why, Harris is a FA? Is it to prevent them from matching the offer?

    • Andrew

      impossible to amnesty Wallace you can only do that with a player you signed the celtics traded for him

      • RedwasKing

        My fault. They would use the “stretch provision” to clear space.

        • Andrew

          honestly at this point i wouldnt mind the celtics trading wallace, a protected 1st round pick and a trade exception for roy hibbert, he has one year left the celtics can start him at center and see how the year goes and they can let him go after a year if he sucks because he is big and is worth the risk

          • Sean McLaughlin

            That trade sounds great besides the fact that Indy probably wouldn’t do it.

          • Andrew

            maybe sweeten the deal with olynyk or something idk they are shopping him and his value is so low right now its low risk high reward

          • Sean McLaughlin

            Yeah, I could see that enticing them more… Gotta realize whoever takes wallace is taking on that big problem we don’t want, so extra compensation is gonna be needed.

  • Sean McLaughlin

    Given the current salary cap, no he wouldn’t be worth it. Given the future cap, it’s not a bad deal!

  • zippittyay

    wooo hooo………:(

  • Curt Hays

    He’s 6’9″, 240 lbs. Hooray.

  • forever_green

    What are they waiting for on Crowder? For F sake.

  • Erik Willis

    If this keeps us from signing Tobias Harris I will not be happy!

  • eddysamson

    Don’t get me wrong I love Jerbko and I do like Johnson but these moves are highly questionable if they aren’t going to be followed by a trade. Considering our TPE’s and high number of guards + PFs I think a trade is highly likely, though.

    • Sean McLaughlin

      Trades are ALMOST assured considering our out of balance roster.

    • Frank Aziza

      Does anyone notice after every move Ainge makes we always say this must be a part of some big trade coming? IT NEVER COMES!!! Ainge has lost his mind.

      • Curt Hays

        That got me to thinking…the last two All Star potential guys we had…they were both traded for guys who made us better. That was pretty cool.

        Even so, we don’t get superstars.

      • eddysamson

        How can you say that after how many moves he made in the last year or 2?

  • Andrew

    I’m really hoping they sign Crowder and make a trade because this has been the most underwhelming off season of all time i think ahahah like we had 20 mill in cap space and we kept jerebko, probably crowder, and signed Amir Johnson like wtf the last thign we needed was more role players we need potential superstars

  • Erik Willis

    One would hope so. I mean how many undersized unproven guards and power forwards do we need ? Worse yet who the hell is going to want any of them in a trade ?

  • Astarot

    That tells everything about Ainge and his ability to sing/negotiate FAs come on 12 million I mean 12 million?! he’s worth 8 maybe 8. If that cost them a chance to get Harris… well Don’t even wanna think about that way.

  • Frank Aziza

    I finally have to agree with Felger… Ainge gets a pass way too much!! Ainge has lost his mind. He’s nuts!!!

  • Astarot

    Hope second year is a team option or something. What’s the point of having all this money if you don’t know how to use them. If you cant’s see real chance at getting big names just leave it sing those you really need and leave the rest.

  • DC Swish

    Can we still re-sign crowder and have the money for harris? …I’m giving up on any willd dreams of having a true center on this team, unless through trade.

    • Sean McLaughlin

      Apparently if we use the stretch provision on Wallace we would have enough, yes…

    • Astarot

      If Rondo trade TPE can be used to sign Harris then maybe. I don’t think Ainge considering Harris anyway. That is too obvious to him you know… that’s Ainge after all.

  • RedHead617

    This is the absolute worst-case scenario on all fronts. The mediocre Celtics are making every mistake that mediocre teams make. Trading some pieces for even more picks would at least help tank our way to a franchise player; this route promises more 35-win depression through the dark, cold days of winter.

  • forever_green

    When they said 3rd tier they meant 3rrrd tier!

    • Erik Willis

      Terd tier ! Lmao

  • KGino

    12mil a year for Amir Johnson? GET IT TOGETHER DANNY!!

  • forever_green

    So, Celtics depression group to be held every Thursday?

    • RedHead617

      I’d like to attend. I also think Danny’s attendance should be mandatory. Either he thinks that Celtics fans will be happy with all the mediocrity of last season or he sees this as the same disaster as the rest of us. Is there any team other than Philly with a worse roster?

      • forever_green

        I like that, “Danny’s attendance should be mandatory. “

  • Adam Stark

    How much money do they have to spend now? Anyone?

    • Astarot

      They had over 26 million to spend. Now 17 is gone. I don’t know what’s the minimum in cap space you gotta have on the books.

      • Adam Stark

        Thanks. So they have just enough to re-sign Crowder. I hope they trade for Luke Ridnour. I feel like we are missing something.

    • Richard Jensen

      Briefly:

      They have a ~$13M trade exception from the Rondo trade.

      That means that if they do a sign and trade for Amir, they still have $17M in cap space. That’s enough for a max offer to Tobias Harris.

      There’s no reason why Toronto wouldn’t agree to a sign & trade, especially if Boston throws in cash considerations or a 2nd round pick.

      • Astarot

        You’re assuming they did sign and trade. Still would be a bad move but better from cap stand point.

        • Richard Jensen

          I don’t see it as a bad move. This is what the market is paying for these guys right now. People can’t call this a bad move *and* complain when the Celtics sit on the sidelines.

          Also, with team options for the second years of both of these contracts, they’ve got great flexibility.

          And they’ll get the S&T framework done. It’s Toronto’s only shot to get something in return for Johnson. Pretty sure they’ll take a 2nd rounder and be happy to get it.

        • Frank Aziza

          There would have been reports of a sign and trade

  • Astarot

    LMA is most likely going to Spurs. Pop has done it again guys. Look at that squad: Parker (if healthy still go something left), Manu (perfect bench guy right now), Green, Leonard, Duncan (most likely will be back), now LMA. Man that’s like at least next 2-3 years of contending.

    • Richard Jensen

      The Spurs are the ’60s Celtics all over again, and I love it.

      • Astarot

        Yeah love it too. Especially it happens year after year and when nearly everyone around the NBA are saying “they are finished, they are old” Pop just proving them wrong. Good drafts (with mid, low 1st rounders!), good FA periods, keeping veterans healthy and happy, spending money when time is right and saving when they need to.

  • Sean McLaughlin
    • eddysamson

      Does that mean we can trade them almost like they’re expiring contracts this year?

      • Sean McLaughlin

        That’s a good question.

        • Mike Spoon

          I think so, except you have to wait for the new signings deadline to make a deal. I think it’s in December.

      • Andrew

        well yea but it also means they can just cut them and save all the money for next year, last year the celtics traded Keith Bogans to the cavs and got a few players back helped the cavs and celtics clear cap

    • Astarot

      That 12 million still looks awful but at least they can get rid of him with no harm.

      • Sean McLaughlin

        If they don’t work out, indeed. My thoughts exactly. I really don’t see us getting rid of Jerebko for 5/year, but Amir will have to really step up his game now to be able to keep that 2nd year.

        • Astarot

          Yeah I like Jerebko and 5 million is quite fair deal.

        • Richard Jensen

          I think Amir will be interesting in Boston. He’s already a better 3pt. shooter than Bass. I’m curious to see how much he can do to open the lane for Thomas/Rozier

          • Sean McLaughlin

            Yeah, I’m not as mad as most on here about the deal. He IS an upgrade over Bass, athletic as hell, and people have to take into account the inflated salary caps next year. Trades are coming for sure. Maybe not blockbuster, but we definitely can’t keep this current roster. So I’m holding my breath for now.

          • Astarot

            I can only speak for myself I mad cuz of that 12 million and possibility of bringing in Harris. At lower price that’d be a completely different story.

          • Sean McLaughlin

            Apparently the money gurus are saying we can still make enough cap space for Harris using the stretch provision on Wallace. To be honest, though, I think Harris is drawing more attention (and prospective monetary demands) than he deserves. He’s good, but max contract? I’m not so sure he’s worth it. Everyone’s ignoring the fact that Draymond Green is supposedly available. I’d rather go “all-in” on him than Harris.

          • Mike Spoon

            Yeah, but there is absolutely no chance the Warriors don’t match on Draymond. The reason there is so much interest in Harris is because he is the rare restricted free agent you can actually pry away from his team.

  • Randy

    This is what happens when apologists and boot-lickers in the media create the false impression that Ainge’s careful roster management led to the 2007-2008 title team. Again, Ainge lucked into Garnett (let’s say it all together now)! Kevin McHale would never have made that deal for any other team in the league, and if that deal does not go down, the Celtics would have been a perennial seventh or eighth seed with Pierce, Allen, Rondo, and other spare parts. Ainge has always been a capricious GM (he traded Antoine Walker away one year and then traded a #1 pick to get him back midway through the following season, only to deal him again at the end of that half season). The “assets” that he has so famously collected since jettisoning the Big Three are not worth much, as evidenced by the reluctance of other teams to trade for them, and I am not even sure that Brad Stevens is the right coach for this team, because Stevens is bent on winning now, although it is in the team’s best interests to completely bottom out and snag a talented lottery pick. For years, we had heard that Boston just needed cap-space to contend for marquee talent, and as you see, not only is said talent uninterested in coming to Boston, but Ainge is perfectly willing to squander that cap space on the first day of free agency for PROVEN mediocre talent. It’s time for Trader Danny to trade himself out of the front office ….

    • MJ

      Would it help if I told you that both Jerebkos and Johnsons contracts are not guaranteed next year and gives the Celtics $17 milliion in unguaranteed money? I dunno about you but that makes those deals look pretty good. The Celtics are positioning themselves for star players who could go on the trade market this season. Compare that with Turners and Wallaces’ contract expiring this year and I like what Danny is doing.

      • Randy

        Well, here is the catch: the main assets/trade chips we have are the Brooklyn picks, which should not be traded except for a sure-fire veteran or massive vault up in the lottery. To obtain a veteran like that, or to make a big leap in the lottery, those picks have to be packaged with good or promising players — not just salary cap filler. A guy like Tobias Harris is intriguing to teams, because he is young and has room to grow. Amir Johnson is dead weight, who can only be moved in a deal if he is shipped out along with, most likely, all our good young players (Smart, Bradley, Sullinger). That in itself is risky, because it may put is in the situation of Minnesota two years ago with Kevin Love and no talent around him.
        The best way to advance is to draft well (and coherently) and to sign good players without clogging the cap. The blind stockpiling of talent and salaries only works if that talent turns out to be really good, and unfortunately for Boston, all our young talent – except for James Young, really – has a limited upside (please do not try to sell me on Marcus Smart being the next Dwayne Wade).
        Furthermore, Boston is on the clock in a way, because its best assets (the picks) are worth more as picks than as players (i.e., before Ainge uses them). At this time next year, the draft picks (assuming we still have them) will have begun to depreciate, because Ainge would have converted two more of them into players.
        This is all to say that this was the offseason for Boston to make hay, and instead we have not appreciably improved the team. Now, our future plans basically ride on DMC or some malcontent becoming available between now and the trade deadline at a price that Boston can pay. It is a big assumption to say that such a thing will happen.

        • Randy

          I will also be the first to say that none of this truly matters in the sense that, as long as LeBron is healthy and in the east, the conference belongs to him, at least for the next two or three years.

        • MJ

          Well it’s not a foregone conclusion that Harris was coming here. Even if the Celtics gave him a max offer sheet the Magic would have had the opportunity to match. The Magic don’t have many other options considering they struck out on Millsap today so I wouldn’t have counted on it.

          You can’t say our young guys aren’t going to be good we still don’t know what they are capable of after just one year. I’m not going to try to sell you on who anyone’s going to become but I’m not going to already conclude that not one of them can be good (Although props for bringing up Young’s potential because a lot of Celtics fans are already giving up on him).

          How was it the off-season to make hay? I’m sure Danny tried his best to get whatever he could, but he simply couldn’t get it. That’s not on Ainge, that’s on the teams/players who didn’t want to deal with him. We all know Boston isn’t a free agent destination, so what Danny is doing now is making preparations for more potential fireworks just like he has since he blew up the team. He couldn’t get what he wanted this summer, so he’s prepping for the potential fireworks of this season and the next summer.

          As far as hoping malcontents become available, well it has happened before quite a few times, and it can happen again. Danny has scored on talented players for cap filler (Marcus Thornton for Isaiah Thomas). I believe he can do it again.

    • jrleftfoot

      Just about everything Randy said is wrong. Its always good to know the parameters of a deal before running your mouth off about it. The McHale wanted to help the Celtics meme is on the same level as the twin towers went down because of bombs placed inside the buildings

      • Peter

        so, youre saying its true?

      • Peter

        WTC building 7, blocks away, not hit by a plane, imploded, and fell just like the towers, how?

      • Banner18

        Haha, yup. Randy is clueless. Ainge did carefully manage the roster leading up to the KG trade. His bailing out of the 2006 lotto (where he would have drafted Rudy Gay who prob would have clashed with Pierce) in order to swap Raef for Theo gave them the expiring they needed for KG (McHale said he would not have done the trade if Raef’s 2/26 were part of it over Theo’s 1/14). McHale offered KG to the Suns for Amare first and stupid Phoenix didn’t jump all over that. Also, The Celtics would have had better assets to trade for Gasol than the Lakers if they didn’t get KG. A Rondo, Tony Allen, Ray Allen, Pierce, Big Al, Pau Gasol, Perk and various other pieces like whoever signed the MLE and Big Baby would have looked pretty good for a few years and w/o Gasol on LA we’d have won a title or two anyhow.

  • Lee in Oregon

    2 excellent signings. I’d much rather have Johnson on this deal than what Aminu & Ajinca signed for. Glad the Swede is back too.

  • Brandon

    I guess that means we can kiss Greg Monroe goodbye to the Knicks.

  • MJ

    These could be potentially phenomenal moves, but not because of what these two bring to the table. Johnson and Jerebkos contracts are both unguaranteed next year. Add that with Turners and Wallaces expiring deals, and thats $30+ million in expiring deals. If some superstars go on the trading market next year like a Demarcus Cousins or Carmelo Anthony, then the Celtics have these contracts to offer the Kings or the Knicks. That, and the Celtics have young players could hypothetically play better next season. Smart, Young, Sullinger, Rozier, Olynyk, Hunter, and whoever else we have could play well enough to be a young centerpiece. I’m not saying they will. I’m saying they could. Add that to the amount of picks we have and I like that Ainge is building us up for another round of anticipation this year.

    That being said, I also took this as the Celtics basically saying “We’re not getting anyone from free agency”. Outside of Love, I don’t think there was anyone that was really worth overpaying long term for. I like Monroe, but he’s not a superstar and not worth what he’s asking for.

    • CallingBatman

      I agree, but this also means next year there had better be fireworks.

      • MJ

        I think what Danny has done is built the prospect of there being fireworks. I think he’s tried year after year to make them he just hasn’t had enough to get someone to bite so he’s continuously putting the Celtics in the hunt with these smart contracts. I’d rather be in the hunt for trying to build a championship than not be in the hunt at all like say the Nets or the Knicks. I know some of us are getting impatient, but hey, i’d rather wait 3-5 more years to make a contender than spend the next 3-5 years being just above average.

        • Frank Aziza

          It makes sense but there’s a 22 year old down in Orlando that has all-star potential. You have to take a shot at kids like that …he’s better then anyone on our roster, yes Tobias Harris.

          • MJ

            That is true about Harris but would you rather invest in a guy who is above average like Harris or would you put all your chips in for Durant, a future hall of famer? I know its not a foregone conclusion but the chance to get Durant is something the C’s can’t pass up on.

          • jgtwentysix

            Please please please give me the above average guy that we may actually have a chance of getting rather than waiting for something that will never, ever occur. Why would Durant possibly sign here, especially if we’re not signing better guys before he hits free agency?

          • MJ

            Im saying we can trade for him. Its do or die time in OKC this year and there’s no guarantee things will go well for them. And if we can trade for someone else too that would be great. Thats the idea Im getting from Danny. hes setting himself up for some potential trades for superstars should the opportunity arise.

            Also Im not sure Harris is leaving especially since the Magic can just keep him if they so choose.

          • Brandon

            Thank you for saying this. I didn’t want to be the only one. You must swing for the fences. If you don’t get a top-tier agent this FA class, you pass on everyone else and make even more room for a bigger max contract for a Kevin Durant. Why should Washington expect him? I want Washington to offer the farm for him and can’t sign him because they don’t have as much money as we do!!!

            Kudos for not drinking the Harris Kool-Aid.

          • Frank Aziza

            How you going to get Durrant? We will be in the same situation next year? Would if Harris becomes an all -star this season and we had him, wouldn’t that help us get a Durrant next year? Why would Durrant come to Boston next season? Players are going where they think they could win now. Not in 5 years.

          • MJ

            K going to repeat what I said if you read below.

            1.There was no guarantee Harris was coming here. None. That’s what happens with restricted free agents. Their teams can match any offer sheet. The Magic have the cap space and they struck out on the guys they wanted this summer. Considering Bulpett said that the Magic are going to match any offer sheet for Harris, I’m pretty sure that means Harris isn’t coming to Boston.
            2. The Celtics can trade for Durant. I think that’s what Ainge’s plan is. He wants to trade for someone of Durant’s caliber because of the possibility of Durant falling out in OKC. The Celtics would have the contracts, the picks, and possibly the young players to entice the Thunder. I’m not saying that’s what’s going to happen. It’s a longshot but it’s swinging for the fences. That’s just what Danny is aiming for. He wants the surefire best talent, not guys who look like they could potentially be good players.
            3.The Celtics would clearly need more than Durant to get him to stay, but by getting these contracts, they can get Durant some help through more trades.

        • Brandon

          But you risk being in limbo forever. I’ve been comparing the Celtics as currently built to the Toronto Raptors. They’re always in the 5-7 running but never ever gets over the hump and never gets out of the first round.

          We need to start to think big.

          Harris is not the answer and we shouldn’t even bother with him. Forget it and let him stay with the Magic. If he is so great, how come he didn’t “break out” with the Magic. He should have Andrew Wiggins numbers if he’s that great.

          Don’t sign Harris. Don’t do it!

    • Brandon

      Wholeheartedly agree. I was hoping a major run would be made for LaMarcus Aldridge and/or another big. I was realistic about Kevin Love. He was going back to Cleveland. Riding LeBron’s coattails is way too seductive no matter how much of a lesser role he’s been relegated to.

      For me, it was either LMA, Jimmy Butler, Kwahi Leonard, D. Green, and Marc Gasol (knowing full and well the last three were probably re-signing). Since the talk turned to “We’re not getting top-tier free agents,” and “we can’t trade up,” I’ve been on the bandwagon of ignoring the second and third-tier free agents. The only one I was willing to sign was Robin Lopez on an MLE. That’s it. Maybe (emphasis on maybe) Greg Monroe.

      But not Harris. Sorry. I’ve been arguing if we trade for Harris, and now we have Amir Johnson and a re-signed Jerebko (wtf), then we would become another version of the Toronto Raptors with more banners in the rafters.

      Sure, we trade too big for Harris. He won’t pan out and after 2 years into his deal, he’s traded away with nothing to show for it.

      We must trade for DeMarcus Cousins. We must try. Anything less than a Cousins, LMA or other top-tier agent along with a signed Johnson (too expensive) and Jerebko (dumb signing), then the off season, in my opinion, will be a massive failure.

  • romeo0119

    Damn it! Paul Pierce just sign with la clips

  • stephen

    now please get harris……never thought i say that but please do. throw the rest of the money at him. might be a mediocre playoff team but at least we will be set up trade wise.

    • Brandon

      No. No Harris. Don’t waste time for another overrated role player. And definitely don’t waste money.

      • stephen

        harris is young and could develop into a really good player. He wouldve been a better pick up than two shitty PF that ainge just wasted all the cap on. dont worry tho we still got enough to get us a cheap point guard

  • Brandon

    I’ve been on Celticsblog talking to a bunch of fans about the possibility of letting Harris slide. Months ago, Harris’s name was floated around and most of the fans I talked to didn’t want anything to do with him. Why now? Why the sudden interest? It’s not even an interest. Over at Celticsblog, it’s a full-blown obsession. It’s as if Harris would be an All Star?!?!

    I’ve been arguing to Think Big. In 2008, that was our motto (along with Ubuntu). A small group of Celtics fans I talk to are wanting a trade for DeMarcus Cousins. Hear me out. Stevens can reach Cousins mentally (if he’s the coach and motivator we all think him to be). And Cousins can lure other top-tier talent around the league.

    I’ve been wanting Danny to go all in on the Kevin Durant sweepstakes next year. I think it’s possible to swing for the fences for him. Why should we say “He’s either re-signing in OKC or going to WAS”? Screw that noise. Not only should we make the call, but prepare a max offer. Why not? Cousins could have the KG effect that Ray Allen had on KG back in 2007.

    The Celtics are not a FA destination so a big trade needs to be in the works. “Free agents will come” if Danny makes the big move. He needs to do it.

    If we sign Harris, along with Johnson and the re-signing of Jonas Jerebko (!), this offseason will be, to put it nicely, a major failure.

    I’m sorry. We’re Boston. We must build through the draft and big trades. FAs won’t come here unless we are loud in the trade market.

    • Brandon

      I’m serious about the Harris All-Star thing. They’re actually thinking Harris is an All Star talent and “he’s only 22!” I don’t care how old he is. Johnson was too expensive (I don’t mind the signing, but too much money) and we should have let Jonas Jerebko walk.

      And we wonder why we complain why Boston isn’t a free agent destination. The mid-to-late 90s and early 2000s were bad enough. Do we want to wait another two or three decades before we get lucky again?

      And if the Lakers or Knicks or both rebuild faster than us, I’ll vomit.

      • wil

        You said it yourself, if we cant sign a first tier freeagent then its better to not spend at all. Both JJ and Amir’s contracts have unguaranteed 2nd year. Which means it doesnt tie up the Celtics at all.

        It just gives the C’s more options. AND if we could sign Harris for less than 15mil a year, he would be a pretty big piece going forward.

        He is only 22 which mostly translates as potential in the NBA. Thats a nice asset to pair up with picks. Its something that we really dont have in our roster.

        Either way, getting more talent in the roster can help us do better in the season and in playoffs which makes us a more viable free agent destination.

    • wil

      Trust me, if Celtics could get cousins they would. Right now i dont think its possible. Kings are bent on giving it another try building around him. Our assets arent that much appealing.

  • Caterpillar from Italy

    I don’t like Johnson’s game. 12 mil per year is a waste of money to me. It’s a long, long way for my Celtics to go back on top.

  • betty_bzuniga