Celtics Notes: Gallinari, Brogdon, Kornet, Baynes, G. Williams

With Danilo Gallinari‘s signing now official and the trade for Malcolm Brogdon completed, the Celtics introduced their two newest additions at a press conference today. Gallinari had a circuitous route to Boston, being traded from the Hawks to the Spurs and then waiting for his release from San Antonio. He said he grew up in a family of Celtics fans and it was a “no-brainer” to join the team when the opportunity arose.

“The run they had, it was amazing to see,” Gallinari said of Boston’s journey to the NBA Finals (Twitter link from A. Sherrod Blakely of Full Court Press. “I’ve been a pretty versatile player. There’s a lot of things I can do, I can add and gel right away with the guys we have.”

Brogdon was acquired from the Pacers to provide “a true play-making guard” in Boston’s backcourt. He also cited connections to the organization, saying his grandfather was a huge fan of Bill Russell. Brogdon told reporters he’s looking forward to being on the same team with Marcus Smart.

“Bringing me here actually helps him,” Brogdon said (Twitter link from Boston basketball writer Mark Murphy). “I’m gonna push Marcus. I’m gonna embrace him, he’s gonna embrace me. I really think he and I will play well together. We have different skill sets, but we both want to win so bad it doesn’t matter.”

There’s more on the Celtics:

• Also at the press conference, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said the team remains in the market for another center, tweets Jay King of The Athletic. He added that the organization is “really high” on the recently re-signed Luke Kornet and has confidence that he can fill a larger role next season.
• The Celtics checked on Aron Baynes, who is attempting an NBA comeback, but don’t plan to make an offer to the veteran big man, according to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe (Twitter link).
• Grant Williams said Monday that he hasn’t talked to management about an extension, but he hopes something can be worked out before the October deadline, King writes in a full story. “I think both parties are hopefully mutually understanding that we want to get this thing done and make sure that we come together and have a successful next few years,” Williams said. “Because I love Boston, I love the fact that I not only get to be there and be around the team that I’m with, cause I have great relationships with the guys. But I also just love the city and being able to live there.”