Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
#BEANTOWN WE HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS.!!! #99PROBLEMS
— JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) July 2, 2015
While you were dreaming of free agents last night, Jae Crowder was doing something about it. As he (sort of) revealed in a tweet, Crowder will return to the Celtics with a contract reported as five years for $35 million.
That agreement completed a busy first day of free agency for the Celts, who grabbed Amir Johnson from the Raptors and also reached a deal to re-sign Jonas Jerebko.
On the down side, however, it appears Tobias Harris is no longer a target. It was reported overnight by Steve Bulpett of the Herald that Boston dropped its pursuit of Harris because Orlando – who lost out on Paul Millsap – is said to now be willing to match any offer for Harris. Corey Brewer is off the radar, too.
Read on for more of Bulpett’s reporting.
On Page 2: Ainge not sleeping on Day One
From all the free agent agreements and other transactions being completed today, it may have seemed the Celtics were quietly watching the world go by. According to league sources, however, nothing was further from the truth.
The Celts did, in fact, make dutiful pitches to representatives of the top free agents, knowing full well most are staying in place and that LaMarcus Aldridge is staying out west.
Word was strong in the late morning that talks had heated up between the Celts and Johnson, with sources stating that, of the free agents with whom the club is involved, he was the most likely to land here.
Herald – Celtics reel in Amir Johnson on first day of NBA free agency
It has not required more than a few hours on Day 1 of free agency to realize that this process will play out similarly to how the draft went. The Celtics are not getting a superstar, but more pieces and assets, some of whom might be redundant. Those requiring instant gratification are not going to be happy. They also don’t understand the complexities of the process. It’s harder to build a franchise in the NBA than in any other major professional sports league.
The best the Celtics can do for now, it seems, is retain one of their finds from last year, Jae Crowder, while trying to discover a few more.
Boston.com – For Celtics, there’s no Love — and no quick fix in free agency
As reports of deal after deal poured in during yesterday’s opening of NBA free agency, Celtics fans were on edge. Common refrains on Twitter: “When is Danny gonna make a move?” “Why won’t free agents come to Boston?” “Player X won’t meet with us but he’s meeting with the Knicks – what?!”
Then during the afternoon, news broke that the Celtics had reached agreement with Amir Johnson, a 10-year veteran, 6-9 forward (not a guard!) who last season averaged 9 points and 6 boards in 26 minutes for Toronto. The deal was reported as two years for a total of $24 million.
Sure, it wasn’t like landing Kevin Love, but Johnson was a starter for a Raptors team that won the Atlantic Division the past two seasons. At 28, he’s two years younger than Brandon Bass and, we have to hope, will be an upgrade at power forward.
OK, we got a free agent! And that’s not bad, considering that most of the best – Love, Millsap, Butler, Dunleavy, Green, Kawhi, Brook Lopez, Shumpert, Tristan Thompson – are staying put. Everyone happy?
No.
The Celtics are paying this guy $12 million a year? Really?
Well, the good news is that the marketplace isn’t like it used to be. Khris Middleton averaged 13 points for Milwaukee last season and has now agreed on a five-year contract for $70 million. Brandon Knight scored the same with Phoenix. Thaddeus Young is re-signing with Brooklyn for four years and $50 million. Total All-Star game appearances for these three combined: Zero.
Looking at those numbers, two years at $12 million each is reasonable. And the frosting is that Amir’s second year is reportedly not guaranteed. Same with Jonas Jerebko, who will return to the Celts for two years and $10 million total. Those short deals thus help preserve the team’s flexibility to go after bigger fish in the future.
Now Danny Ainge doesn’t need anyone – least of all me – to defend him. But with that said, these articles from Bulpett and Finn leave no doubt that the Celtics’ general manager isn’t napping. The big-name free agents simply aren’t going to be lured here this year, so Ainge’s approach seems to be: complete some affordable, lower-level moves that will enhance the roster (Johnson, so far); re-sign his own FAs (Jerebko and Crowder), and improve by developing young players because you’ve got Brad Stevens.
If that’s not enough for you, remember, his nickname is “Trader Danny.”
Footnote of interest: In the category of “don’t believe everything you read,” the Bulpett piece contains this hidden nugget, which contradicts numerous sources.
“It is interesting to note that, from all accounts, the Celtics have had no contact at all with several other free agents with whom they’ve been linked in media reports. In some of these cases, it’s said to be because they are not particularly fond of the player’s game, while in others it’s because they’ve become aware the player is seeking more than they are willing to spend – and may get it elsewhere in the open market. Whatever the reason, the Celts have not reached out to Greg Monroe, Gerald Green or Robin Lopez since the opening of the free agent negotiating period.
And, Finally:
When Marcus Smart saw the Boston Celtics’ first two draft picks, another pair of guards, he initially wondered why.
“At first, I was just like, ‘Wow. Another guard.’ In my mind, I’m trying to count up how many guards we have. I’m like, I don’t know, man,” he said, smiling while recounting the tale. “At first, it just kind of puzzled me a little bit.”
MassLive – Initially, Marcus Smart was ‘kind of puzzled’ by the Boston Celtics drafting guards
So it wasn’t just us.
The Rest of the Links:
Herald – Celtics Notebook | Celtics’ James Young eyes next step
Globe – Celtics agree to deals with Amir Johnson, Jonas Jerebko | Amir Johnson’s path to Boston went through LA, Detroit, and Toronto
ESPN Boston – After adding Amir Johnson, what’s next for Celtics?
HoopsHype – NBA free agent tracker: Who’s off the market and who’s available
LA Times – How the Lakers lost LaMarcus Aldridge
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