The Celtics and No. 33 pick Jordan Mickey reached an impasse early Thursday, but by afternoon, their talks seemed back on track, reports Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, who indicates that Mickey will be on Boston’s roster for this coming season one way or another. The Celtics offered a four-year deal with two guaranteed seasons, but Mickey sought a shorter deal, Bulpett hears. The Matt Babcock client was prepared to sign the required tender, a one-year, non-guaranteed contract at the minimum salary, when Boston wouldn’t make concessions, as Bulpett details. However, Mickey’s camp was again talking about a long-term arrangement with the Celtics by Thursday afternoon, according to Bulpett.
The C’s first offer represented the most lucrative given to a second-round pick, Bulpett writes. It’s unclear if that would have been the richest for a second-round pick this year or in any year, though because the minimum salary goes up each season, it’s not difficult to envision second-rounders receiving deals of ever-increasing size. Players picked in the first half of the second round, like Mickey, commonly receive a few hundred thousand more than the minimum in year one. An exception was K.J. McDaniels, last year’s No. 32 pick, who chose the required tender rather than a four-year deal with the Sixers, a move that appeared to pay off.
Mickey and the Celtics began negotiations just this week with apparent confidence that a deal would get done. The big man from LSU told Zach Links of Hoops Rumors before the draft that he was drawing strong first-round interest. He’s put up 11.2 points and 7.8 rebounds in 26.9 minutes per game across six summer league appearances.
Get him signed, we have a lot of 4’s but he’s the only one that plays above their rim. That and they have Lee and sully going into the final year of their deals, with Amir having an option for next year
He’s definitely one of the most explosive frontcourt players in Boston. I really like his potential and his versatility. He should be able to log minutes next to any of the three that Steve mentioned, in addition to Zeller and Kelly O. Though, that’s a lot of people competing for frontcourt minutes.
So right now Sullinger Lee Turner Bradley Smart are the starters. Thomas, Olynyk, Zeller, Crowder, Jerebko, Hunter, Rozier, Young, perry jones jr, Mickey make up the Celtics roster
Sign Mickey! He brings exactly what the Celtics lack in a big. He is a defensive, shot blocking, rebounding stud. All comparisons compare him to Taj Gibson. He is a first round talent turned second round STEAL.
It looks like Mickey and company think his worth is more on the open market than with putting their marbles into one team. I can see their point. I just hope the C’s can sign him to where they at least get a chance to match on the end of his contract.