Boston Herald » NBA Grapevine

Why It’s Critical for Boston Celtics to Get Kevin Garnett More Involved

Nov 292012

It sounds a bit funny when said out loud, but Boston has one of the league’s best centers. Kevin Garnett, though largely, publicly defined as a “power forward,” has the height and rebounding ability befitting a “5.” In the NBA, your position is determined by whom you guard. KG, in his dotage, has been asked to mark up on slower, lumbering brutes.

Doc Rivers wants to go with the KG option more, indicating the following to the Boston Herald:

“I don’t think our eyes are trained yet to look down there. I think you have to train the players’ eyes to look in the post off of pick-and-rolls and off other actions. I think we’re starting to do that. I still think we don’t do it enough. We’re a ways away.”

Now, a lot of coaches declare an intent to go down low or what have you. It’s great to get the ball near the basket for easier shots than a long-two. The issue is that is easier said than done—especially with the advent of zone defense. With illegal defense scrapped from the league, opposing teams can front big men, or shift coverage onto them after they catch the rock.

Such measures are tough on certain, limited bigs like, say Roy Hibbert, or DeAndre Jordan. Fortunately for Boston, Kevin Garnett—even at his advanced age—is far from limited. If you front KG, he’s long enough to snatch almost any high lob out of the air. If you double team him after the catch, he’s a perceptive enough passer to make you pay.

As he gets up there in years, the most limited aspect of KG’s game is his minutes. Doc Rivers has set a low cap on those ever since Garnett came over to Boston in 2007. Right now, KG is averaging 29 minutes per game, a full 10 MPG lower than in his last Minnesota season.

I don’t think Doc is necessarily “wrong” for limiting KG’s play like this, but I often wonder whether Garnett could provide the same production with Minnesota playing time. Minutes allotment is an inexact science. Caution with Manu Ginobili’s minutes had been greeted with many Manu Ginobili injuries. Kobe Bryant was largely healthy last season, despite playing 38.5 MPG. There is a chance that the answer to Boston’s bench woes is simply, “More Kevin Garnett.” It remains to be seen as to whether Doc Rivers wants to take that risk with his elder center.

As for KG on offense, his involvement should increase as Boston steps away from its long-two-laden strategy of old. Last year, the Celtics experimented with playing Garnett against opposing centers. This year, it’s time to take full advantage of his mobility and dexterity against the Nikola Pekovic’s of this world. It’s also imperative that Boston’s offense gets less Rondo-dominated. Rajon is playing well, but the Celtics would be wise to incorporate some balance to their offense, as opposed to making Rajon the Celtic version of Atlanta‘s old “Iso-Joe” strategy.

Boston’s bench is struggling and there’s little size around Kevin Garnett. For the Celtics to have even a puncher’s chance at a title run, Garnett must be more of a presence, whether that means more minutes or more post touches.

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Updating the Latest Injury Status on Every Boston Celtics Hurt Player

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Nov 152012

How banged up could the Boston Celtics possibly be after just seven games during the 2012-13 regular season? In short: not very.

However, it’s always nice to have a complete update on the health status of players whose physical condition has recently been in question.

Look no further! Everything you need to know regarding the health of the Celtics’ 15-man roster is just below, listed in order of severity of ailment.

SG Avery Bradley

Flash back to Game 5 of the 2012 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers, when Bradley was last supposed to play but could not.

Until that point, Bradley had gritted his teeth and dealt with lingering shoulder issues that surely cramped his style of play. He was a major factor on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor, playing so well that Ray Allen was forced from the starting lineup.

Then, some serious news struck Celtics players and fans: Bradley needed surgery to repair tears in his left shoulder. Turns out, Avery needed to have both shoulders repaired.

The second-year shooting guard received attention on his right shoulder in July, once his left was ready enough.

Losing their best perimeter defender soon caught up with the Celtics. They snuck by the Sixers in seven games but could not contain Miami‘s best offensive threats when it mattered most.

What happened back in the early summer of 2012 is now in the past. Yet, Bradley’s recovery is still underway, and he has yet to see the hardwood this season.

Bradley is licking his chops in anticipation of his return but may still have a significant amount of time left to wait.

Here’s what Avery had to say about how soon he will be ready to receive contact (via Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald):

Hopefully I’ll start doing that the beginning of December or maybe the end of this month, I’m hoping. Once I can do contact, I’ll start practicing and see how I feel. So far, that’s our game plan.

Avery’s assessment reflects his eagerness to get back to the floor. His rehabilitation time after surgery is only part of his recovery; readjusting to NBA physicality will be the second step. Although he can return by the end of the calendar year, the Celtics should be extremely cautious with how they handle one of their top talents.

PG Rajon Rondo

According to Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston, Rajon Rondo is considered day-to-day after spraining his ankle in Wednesday’s game against the Jazz.

This is recent news that spoils another Celtics win. Hopefully, Rondo’s ankle will not be a lingering concern.

SF Jeff Green

Wait a second, Jeff Green is supposed to be healthy this year! His heart condition is no longer in play! What’s going on?

On Monday night against the Chicago Bulls, Green sprained his ankle being aggressive on the offensive end. He had gotten off to a good start, adding four points in his first six minutes before the injury.

Green received only nine minutes the rest of the game after that, but he did return after receiving attention on the sideline.

Basic soreness and discomfort are sure to bother Green in the immediate future. However, based on the fact that Green returned to action in the game in which he injured himself, it is safe to assume he will be active moving forward.

Even still, it is concerning to see an athletic talent like Jeff Green slowed by injury this early in the season. Boston needs their versatile mid-size man to be a key cog to its system, and is counting on him being fully healthy.

C Darko Milicic

Darko Milicic, another new Celtics face added this offseason, dealt with a lingering wrist injury at the start of the season. It caused him to miss time during the exhibition season, and he had to receive a painkilling shot at one point, but Darko is considered to be fully healthy now.

The biggest limiting factor to Milicic’s minutes at this point is that he is the third, or even fourth, big man in the rotation. Sore wrist or not, don’t expect to see much of Darko on the floor anytime soon. He’s played only five minutes in one appearance thus far.

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Why Jared Sullinger Must Start over Brandon Bass for the Boston Celtics

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Oct 102012

Along with death and taxes, the other certain thing in life is that Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett will be in Doc Rivers’ starting lineup.

Outside of that, let’s just say the former Coach of the Year has some options—especially in that frontcourt alongside Kevin Garnett (via WEEI’s Paul Flannery).

“I’m going to try it [starting Sullinger] for a couple of games and I’ll throw Brandon [Bass] in. I’ll throw Darko [Milicic] in a couple of times,” Rivers said. “You can read into it whatever you want, but there’s been no decisions made on anything yet.”

But according to Flannery, it was rookie Jared Sullinger who started the club’s last tune-up in Italy and the very next practice thereafter. If no decisions have been made just yet, that bodes well for the new kid on the block. He’s got some catching up to do when it comes to earning his stripes.

So far, he’s catching up quickly.

ESPN Boston’s Greg Payne reports that Sullinger was exceptional in his first preseason action, and his teammates have noticed more than production alone (via the Boston Herald‘s Mark Murphy):

“His IQ is very high,” Kevin Garnett said of the rookie power forward. “I watched him a couple of times while he was (at Ohio State), and we saw a little of what he can do skill-wise. When you play with him you can actually see the IQ.”

Sullinger‘s more than just another wide, strong body. He’s a skilled scorer and rebounder, beyond his years in important ways.

Brandon Bass, meanwhile, stands to lose his starting spot—the one he held for 39 games last season. For what it’s worth, Bass started out of necessity. The Celtics‘ lack of big bodies necessitated Garnett’s move to the 5-spot, and Bass was the best option to replace him at power forward.

Bass’ numbers as a reserve were comparable to those when starting, and he actually shot the ball more efficiently.

His penchant for scoring via mid-range pick-and-pop situations is especially useful against second units and what often amounts to second-rate defense. The opportunity to bring him and Jason Terry off the bench would give the Celtics one of the league’s best one-two scoring punches off the bench.

The best argument for starting Sullinger may be that it ultimately makes Bass (and the Celtics’ depth) better.

Rivers also discussed the possibility of using multiple starting lineups, a model that would allow him to throw the taller Milicic at centers like Andrew Bynum, Roy Hibbert or Brook Lopez, thereby sparing KG some wear-and-tear defending the post.

All the better for Sullinger. Though he should be able to hold his own in the starting unit, he’s still a rookie. With the understanding that he won’t start every game, Rivers could work him in and out of the lineup without threatening his confidence with a scenario in which he “loses his starting job.”

That kind of flexibility is good for the Celtics, too.

While there’s merit to the notion of building cohesion and continuity among the same group of guys, there’s also something to be said for maintaining flexibility—especially in a world where injury can change a rotation at a moment’s notice.

There’s also the matter of rebounding. Boston ranked dead last in 2011-12 with just 38.8 rebounds per game. Though rebounds aren’t the best measure of a team, it should say something that the Celtics ranked just behind the Charlotte Bobcats.

For his part, Bass ranked 50th among power forwards in rebounds per 48 minutes. Sullinger may struggle to replicate his success at Ohio State against more formidable NBA opposition, but he’s a still bruiser in his own right—not quite a “Round Mound,” but no pushover either.

One way or another, the important thing is getting Sullinger minutes and giving him the opportunity to learn enough on the job to make meaningful postseason contributions.

Then again, at his current rate, he might be ready for those playoffs tomorrow.

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NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Boston Celtics

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Jul 272012

The Boston Celtics are just about done making moves in preparation for the next NBA season, but that doesn’t mean that the rumor mill has stopped churning in Beantown.

What has it spit out lately?

Avery Bradley Might Be Out For a While

There’s a solid chance that last year’s breakout shooting guard might not be ready for training camp this offseason as he recovers from surgery on both shoulders. In fact, there’s a possibility that Avery Bradley misses a significant amount of action during the regular season.

Boston general manager Danny Ainge is unsure whether Bradley will be able to return in even a month, as told to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com:

“We know there’s a possibility that Avery won’t be able to play the first month of the season,” Danny Ainge, Boston’s president of basketball operations, told CSNNE.com. “So we have to be prepared for that. You never know how these things play out; will it be a month? Or two months? I don’t think it’ll be much longer than that, or he could be back sooner. You try to build a roster where you can get by with any injury, that can sustain you through a short period of time.”

The Celtics should allow Bradley to fully heal before letting him step back on the court. Because Ainge did indeed build his roster to mitigate the effect of injuries, the shooting guard position is still going to be strong for Boston.

New acquisitions Jason Terry and Courtney Lee are more than capable of picking up the slack left behind by Bradley’s shoulders. In fact, they may push him to the bench for the foreseeable future, even when the defensive ace is healthy.

Mickael Pietrus is as Good as Gone

Even though Mickael Pietrus initially seemed likely to return to the Celtics, it’s becoming increasingly clear that he’ll be playing ball elsewhere for the 2012-13 season and beyond.

According to Pietrus’ agent—as relayed by the Boston Herald‘s Mark Murphy—the Celtics have yet to contact their former small forward:

“We haven’t heard from (the Celtics), so we’ll move on,” Pietrus’ agent Bill McKandless said. “I’m not surprised. If we hear from them, Mike will be thrilled, and if not then I guess that’s life in the big city.”

Boston seems as though its going to choose not to use the bi-annual exception after adding Jason Collins and Jamar Smith, who was brought up off the summer league roster with a non-guaranteed contract.

That means that the Celtics won’t be looking at either Pietrus or any other remaining free agents.

Opening Matchup with Miami Heat

Now that the NBA schedule for the 2012-13 season has been officially released, Boston fans can start gearing up for a big showdown with the Miami Heat to open the campaign.

The game at South Beach will be the latest chapter in what’s becoming one of the NBA’s premier rivalries.

Now that Ray Allen has jumped shipped and signed with the Miami Heat, more fuel is getting added to the fire. Emotions will be running high when the sharpshooter makes his Miami debut against the team he helped win a championship.

Allen wrote the following in the USA Today (via Scott Gleeson):

Dear Celtics fans,

For the past five years, my family and I took great pride in calling Boston home. We have loved living in this city, being members of the Celtics family and being part of your community. These memories will be cherished forever.

From my heart, THANK YOU Boston for this incredible journey.

So, will C’s fans take Allen’s gratitude as heartfelt or not? Will they forgive him when he plays against their team?

We’ll find out on October 30, but the game is only getting more and more appealing.

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Boston Celtics: Jeff Green’s Contract Is a Preview of Expanded Role

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Jul 232012

It’s a done deal.

Jeff Green is coming back to the Celtics in the fall after signing a four-year, $36 million contract. There’s been some debate over whether the deal was too much or not enough, according to the Boston Herald.

Regardless, Green will be a Celtic come training camp and will be expected to be a huge cog in Boston’s younger, more athletic machine.

The pressure of replacing Kendrick Perkins, who was sent to Oklahoma City for Green at the 2011 trade deadline (subsequently rankling Celtics’ fans and players alike), will be long gone come opening night. Green will also be a year removed from the heart surgery that sidelined him for the entirety of last year.

Now with a clean bill of health, all Green will have to worry about is playing basketball and contributing to what should be a contender. And you can bet Celts’ coach Doc Rivers will have plenty of roles for Green to fill.

Green, a 6’9″, 235-pound forward, will be expected to defend athletic wing/perimeter players, shoot some three-pointers and rebound and post up smaller opponents when he’s at the 3.

Given the success the Celtics had with with Brandon Bass starting at the 4 while Kevin Garnett toiled in the paint last season, it stands to reason that Green will be doing these things off the bench, leading the second unit alongside perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate Jason Terry.

From a more generalized perspective, Celtics’ fans can probably expect to see the second unit play a fair amount with Rajon Rondo, who has become an elite point guard despite developing among a mostly veteran core that has a hard time keeping up with him.

The idea of Rondo getting out on the break with the likes of Green, Chris Wilcox and Courtney Lee flanking him should make those fans’ mouths water. When Garnett and Paul Pierce are in the game, expect the offense to have more of a half-court feel, slower and even somewhat plodding.

When the bench guys come in, even with the 35-year old Terry in the fold, batten down the hatches. That group has the horses to run, run and run some more.

This, of course, is the best case scenario. There was skepticism regarding what Green was really worth and what he was indeed capable of even before he was diagnosed with the heart ailment. Now that he’s believed to be healthy and coming back on a multi-year, multi-million dollar deal, some of that skepticism seems to have resurfaced.

Green has never been a particularly good rebounder for someone who stands 6’9″ (5.6 per game over his career). Nor is he a sharpshooter from long range (33.7 percent with a career high of 39 percent in his second season, 2008-2009).

But he is still just 25 years old and the Celtics have to be thinking that these are aspects of his game that will continue to develop as he gains more experience and gets more than 30-plus games to play with guys like Garnett, Pierce and Rondo.

This is a guy the C’s clearly have a ton of faith in. They drafted him fifth overall in 2007 (before shipping his rights to Seattle for Ray Allen), traded a crucial piece of their puzzle to get him back in 2011, gave him a $9 million contract to come back for last year before his heart condition was revealed and re-upped him again this month.

Much will be expected of Jeff Green in Boston this coming season. The Celts are going to give him a great deal of responsibility both in the here and now and as they continue to evolve into the team they hope to become in the post-Big Three era.

They seem to think he can and will live up to these expectations. Time will tell.

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O.J. Mayo Rumors: Why Indiana Would Be the Best Fit for the Former USC Star

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Jul 112012

It is well known news that the Indiana Pacers attempted to rush a deal through the wire with the Memphis Grizzles just minutes before the league’s trading deadline this past season.

O.J. Mayo was nearly a Pacer and while the proposed deal did fall apart in the end for unknown reasons, I believe that the Indiana Pacers should and just may make another serious run at O.J. Mayo now that he is an unrestricted free agent.

The Pacers need more depth at the 2-guard spot, and Mayo’s ability to create his own shot is a talent that the Pacers surely can utilize and work into a lineup already with a dense core in sharpshooter Danny Granger, rejuvenated big man David West and a newly re-signed big man who is just about to crack into his prime years in Roy Hibbert.

Indiana now needs a player who has the ability to consistently create his own shot while playing against good defense, and they need someone who can do all this night in and night out from a bench role.

While Mayo’s numbers significantly dropped after he was relegated to a bench role in Memphis for the better part of the last two seasons, he still has the talent as a pure shooting specialist to put together an all-star caliber season—-and he could be exactly the guy the Pacers are searching for.

The team’s guard pickup of last season in George Hill was a good one regardless of the costly mistakes down the stretch that ultimately assisted in Indiana’s losing to the eventual champion Miami Heat.

Yet the Pacers have still entrusted Hill with the responsibility of a role in the backcourt for years to come, and make no mistake about it, the former IUPUI star will deliver.

The Pacers reportedly have agreed to terms with Hill through the next five years, thus taking him through his prime with the team and paying him accordingly for his services.

An interesting piece over at RealGm.com grades the deal for us, giving it an A- overall rating for the Pacers, as they locked up a lanky point guard (6’9″ wingspan) who has meshed very well with starter Darren Collision, for many years.

This past season Hill recorded a career-best 18.8 percent assist percentage, and with O.J. being assisted on 51.3 percent of his baskets last year, it seems as though this is combination that could blossom into a match made in heaven.

Being that Mayo excels at finding his own shot, he could find a comfortable role as the leader of the bench unit, similar to what guard Lou Williams was able to accomplish as the captain of the Philadelphia 76ers second unit.

But with current Pacers like Paul George seemingly stuck in deer-in-the-headlights mode adjusting to playoff basketball as a rookie (and crumbling under the pressure) bringing in a guy like Mayo would boost the competition and force guys like George to adjust if they want to continue receiving starter minutes.

O.J. would fit in nicely to a Pacers squad that has at least five or six guys who could go off on a rampage on any single night and take over the game.

Whether or not he would be willing to accept a role off the bench remains to be seen, however, I would peg him as a significant upgrade over guys like Hill and George, who fizzled in the playoffs.

The way I see it, Mayo is certainly a risk, probably a medium-level one as he is demanding (according to the Boston Herald) a contract substantially greater than the mid-level exception, but there could be great reward should Mayo find his form.

He comes with some well-documented issues however, both on and off the court, including a feud with teammate Tony Allen that culminated in a physical conflict between the two.

The final straw for Mayo with Lionel Hollins and the Grizzles may have come with the violation of the NBA’s drug policy with a positive test for the performance enhancing steroid, dehydroepiandrosterone.

Mayo claims to have bought an energy drink, which unbeknownst to him, contained the steroid and led to a 10-game suspension this past January.

The Grizzles already seem to have moved on and found a replacement for Mayo in the talented young guard Jerryd Bayless who wasn’t even supposed to be on the market this summer. The Raptors renounced his rights in order to make sure they had to cap space to peruse their target in Houston guard Kyle Lowry.

A lack of maturity and perhaps a lapse in judgement for the 24-year-old Mayo (a guy who played just a single year of college ball) may have been the real cause of these off the court issues, but the rocky relationship with head coach Lionel Hollins was certainly a combination of both on and off the court problems.

There is a currently good vibe rushing through Conseco Fieldhouse after the positives of the team’s youthful core were highlighted by a successful 2011-12 campaign and bringing in a risk like Mayo could upset the balance should he not fit in.

But Pacers head coach Frank Vogel has an overwhelmingly positive attitude to him, which differs from the old-school approach of Hollins that Mayo so frequently bumped heads with.

He has the talent to succeed and was derailed from his quest in what looked to be a vault to super-stardom with the Grizzles, but he is still young enough to start over fresh somewhere new and Indiana is in need of a guy like Mayo who they can depend on for reliable bench scoring.

All the monetary talks aside, the fact of the matter is that O.J. Mayo needs desperately to start over with some fresh scenery, a new coaching system and of course new teammates who could help right him on the course back to becoming a big-name player.

This could all become a reality should he agree to a deal to move up to Indiana to play in Indianapolis.

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Doc Rivers does not agree with Ray Allen’s reasons for leaving Celtics for the Heat

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Jul 102012

Ray Allen for some reason thinks Celtics fans will be understanding of why he left Boston for Miami, but he’s wrong. The Celtics would not have won a championship four years ago without Allen, but the fact that he took less money to join the enemy when Boston is attempting to gear up for another title run has not gone over well with the fans. It also sounds like it hasn’t sat well with Doc Rivers, who said his relationship with Allen won’t change but that he is “disappointed” in his decision.
“Just because I disagree or I’m disappointed in Ray’s decision doesn’t change the way I feel about him,” Rivers said according to the Boston Herald. He talked to me. It was a good talk. You know how I am. A guy makes his mind up, I’m not going to try and change it. I respect him for all he did for us, and I thought he should have stayed with us. Actually, you just have to let it go.”
When Avery Bradley replaced Allen as the Celtics starting shooting gua…

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Dwight Howard Rumors: Teaming with Deron Williams Would Put Brooklyn on Top

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Jul 102012

The Brooklyn Nets now have Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and a big question mark with Dwight Howard’s name written all over it. Should Howard and Williams be united, the Nets could be seeing a big payoff and a chance to be a top team in the NBA.

Deron Williams pulled a fast one on the trade market and recommitted with the Brooklyn Nets in hopes to rebuild the team. But Williams knows that the only way the Nets can pull that off is to acquire Dwight Howard.

Williams and Howard are longtime friends and former U.S. Olympic teammates. So Williams is very aware of Howard’s style of play, as well as their abilities to play well together.

According to the Associated Press (via the Boston Herald), Williams recently signed a “five-year, $98 million extension, rather than join the Dallas Mavericks” and he’s looking for Howard to set his sights on Brooklyn. The duo could bring some added excitement to the team’s move to Brooklyn in the upcoming season.

As a player, Williams considers Howard one of the best in the NBA. And he is.

Howard is a strong center on the Orlando Magic and has played for the team for the entirety of his career so far. He averages about 20 points per game and is an aggressive rebounder.

Should Brooklyn acquire Howard in the trade, Williams believes that the Nets will have a chance at being a top team.

“I think we’ll be good, I think we’ll be one of the top teams in the East for sure, top teams in the NBA.”

Looking to revitalize the Nets and their fanbase, the team’s move to Brooklyn was step one. The second step is putting some spark in the roster and Williams is hoping the Nets will have their own “Big Three.”

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Williams believes that the formation of a Big Three with Joe Johnson and Dwight Howard would be the only way they could actively compete with powerhouse teams like the Miami Heat.

Teaming Howard up with Williams would be a great decision for the Brooklyn Nets. Let’s hope they can seal the deal and give the Nets a chance at the top.

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NBA Free Agents 2012: Latest Buzz on Jeremy Lin and Top Restricted Free Agents

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Jul 102012

Jeremy Lin captured the imaginations of countless New York Knicks fans last season when he went from backup journeyman to starting NBA point guard seemingly overnight.

The emergence of Linsanity in the Big Apple has since made the 23-year-old floor general one of the most sought-after restricted free agents this summer.

The Houston Rockets offered Lin an offer sheet in the ballpark of four-years and $30 million shortly after the free-agency period began on July 1, and now time is running out for the Knicks to make a decision whether or not to match the offer and bring back Lin for next season.

As for the rest of the league’s top restricted free agents this summer, here is the latest buzz.

Nicolas Batum

Restricted free agent Nicolas Batum is a young veteran. At age 23 Batum has already played four NBA seasons and started more than 200 games. That ideal mix of experience and potential is why Batum is being sought after by several teams this offseason.

Batum has agreed to an offer sheet with the Minnesota Timberwolves that would last four years and pay the French star anywhere from $45-50 million over that time.

Ryan Anderson

The NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2011-12, Orlando Magic power forward Ryan Anderson is a restricted free agent but will now be headed to the New Orleans Hornets next season after the Magic agreed with the Hornets on a sign-and-trade deal involving Anderson, this according to a report by the Boston Herald.

Brook Lopez

Decent 7-footers are difficult to come by in today’s NBA, so it comes as no surprise that Brooklyn’s Brook Lopez enters this summer’s free-agency period as one of the top restricted bigs. Lopez played in five games last season before going down to an ankle injury but is averaging 17.4 points and 7.5 rebounds for his career.

The latest on Lopez has the former Stanford big headed to a new destination, potentially Orlando in a trade that would bring Dwight Howard to Brooklyn, according to ESPN’s Chris Broussard and Brian Windhorst.

Eric Gordon

Arguably the best restricted free agent available heading into this summer’s signing frenzy was Hornets shooting guard Eric Gordon.

According to ESPN.com’s Chris Broussard, Gordon has agreed on a maximum offer sheet with the Phoenix Suns that would pay him $58 million over the next four years.

Gordon is hoping that the Hornets do not match the offer sheet so that he can play with the Suns next season and help them in their quest to deliver the franchise’s first NBA championship.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter For More Reaction on the Latest NBA Free Agency Buzz.

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NBA Rumors: Avery Bradley Expected to Be Ready for Boston Celtics Training Camp

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Jul 072012

According to ESPNBoston’s Chris Forsberg, guard Avery Bradley, who was expected to be out until December while nursing a surgically repaired shoulder, may be ready for the beginning of the 2012-2013 season.

This comes as good news, as the Celtics would lack depth at the guard spot with Bradley’s injury and Ray Allen’s exodus to the Miami Heat. Forsberg writes:

“Without Allen, and Boston scrambling to add depth now at the shooting guard position, an extended Bradley absence might have put the Celtics in a tough spot.

But a league source indicated that Bradley’s rehab from surgery thus far has ‘looked really good,’ and only a future setback would likely detour that original target date of being back on the floor for camp.”

Though this is encouraging for the Celtics, GM Danny Ainge will undoubtedly have a contingency in place if Bradley is a no-go come October. Expect Ainge to attempt to use the team’s bi-annual exception ($1.95 million) to retain swingman Mickael Pietrus.

Since the Celtics will be over the salary cap, they will not be able to sign Pietrus for more than the bi-annual exception because they don’t have Bird rights on him. The exception will only be available if the Celtics can stay below the $74 million luxury tax apron.

Pietrus is reported to be drawing interest from multiple teams, and though the charismatic swingman has expressed his desire to remain in Boston, his return is not imminent, according to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald. Marquis Daniels and Sasha Pavlovic are also possible depth signings, but neither one of them is likely to be retained.

The Celtics definitely need Bradley in the lineup sooner rather than later. Even with former Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry’s ability to step in as the Celtics starting 2-guard, Bradley’s stellar perimeter defense and strategic basket cuts would be sorely missed.

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