Boston Celtics Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Celtics Sign Mfiondu Kabengele To Two-Way Deal

July 16th, 2022 at 9:29pm CST by Arthur Hill

9:45pm: The signing is official, the Celtics announced in a press release.

9:29pm: Center Mfiondu Kabengele will sign a two-way contract with the Celtics, tweets Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe.

Kabengele, 24, earned the opportunity with a strong showing for Boston’s Summer League team. He averaged 14.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in five games in Las Vegas while shooting 58.7% from the field.

The Canadian big man was taken with the 27th pick in the 2019 draft and spent his first season and a half with the Clippers. At the 2021 deadline, he was traded to the Kings, who immediately waived him, and finished the season with the Cavaliers.

Kabengele played last season with Rio Grande in the G League, averaging 17.5 points and 9.3 rebounds in 25 games. He could provide some front court depth for the Celtics, who sent Daniel Theis to the Pacers in the Malcolm Brogdon trade.

Celtics Notes: Gallinari, R. Williams, Horford, Mitchell

July 15th, 2022 at 1:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

Danilo Gallinari‘s first exposure to the NBA came in the form of Larry Bird tapes that he watched while growing up in Italy, so it was an easy decision to join the Celtics in free agency, writes Jared Weiss of The Athletic. At age 33 and after 14 years in the league, Gallinari gets to live out his dream of playing for Bird’s former franchise.

“I think it’s something that is honestly gonna motivate me,” he said. “If I can do and achieve, team-wise, just a little bit of what he achieved in the past for the Celtics, it will be amazing.”

The Bulls would have given Gallinari more money, according to Weiss, but his affection for the Celtics prompted him to take their offer of $13.3MM over the next two seasons. Now that he’s officially in Boston, the forward wants to be part of bringing an 18th NBA championship to the city.

“You walk even in this facility, you look around and see what’s going on around the banners and the history and everything the Celtics were about, it was an easy choice,” Gallinari said.

There’s more from Boston:

Center Robert Williams isn’t showing any ill effects from playing in the postseason after undergoing meniscus surgery in March, a source tells Sean Deveney of Heavy. Williams dealt with frequent knee soreness and swelling, but he was still able to be on the court for 17 of Boston’s 24 games in its run to the NBA Finals. He hasn’t experienced any knee issues since then, according to Deveney’s source, and will resume training after a six-week rest period.
Al Horford is likely to see a reduction in playing time next season, Brian Robb of MassLive speculates in a mailbag column. He points out that Horford was fresher heading into this season because he was coming off a year in which he played just 28 games for Oklahoma City. The changes the Celtics have made so far this summer have created a deeper bench and provide more opportunity to rest Horford, particularly in back-to-backs.
The Celtics aren’t likely to get involved in Donovan Mitchell trade talks, Robb adds in a separate story, citing league sources, but he notes that there are other ways for Boston to benefit. Robb points to Jarred Vanderbilt as a low-cost option that the Jazz might make available.

Atlantic Notes: Smart, Sixers, Thomas

July 14th, 2022 at 11:24pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Fresh off his first Finals appearance, Celtics guard Marcus Smart is excited for the on-court fit of the newly-acquired Malcolm Brogdon and recent free agency signing Danilo Gallinari, per Jay King of The Athletic.

“I love it,” Smart told Kang. “You’ve got two veteran guys who can feed off each other, who can rotate and help this team in multiple ways. I think it’s going to fit perfect. Not one of us will have all the pressure of running the team. We’re doing this together… Of course, we all know what Malcolm brings to the table, we know what Gallo brings. And it’s just exciting to add those guys.”

According to King, team president Brad Stevens, Smart’s head coach with Boston from 2014-21, talked to Smart about both new Celtics and about the team’s evolution during their shared tenures with the franchise.

Though Smart served as Boston’s starting point guard throughout the club’s 2022 playoff run, he’s not a traditional pass-first ball-handler. The scoring and passing touch of the 6’5″ Brogdon, who can play either guard spot and defend at a high level when healthy, could make him an excellent complement to Smart in Boston’s backcourt rotation.

There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:

As the Jazz field conversations with rival front offices for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, the Sixers may actually reap some ancillary rewards, writes Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.com. Should the Jazz continue to offload their older players, Neubeck notes that proven veteran Utah guards like Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley and Jordan Clarkson could be solid fits for Philadelphia as the team continues to build out its depth.
Second-year Nets shooting guard Cam Thomas is prioritizing on his own Summer League development and not Brooklyn’s potential upcoming personnel turnover, specifically regarding the futures of All-Stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, writes Marc J. Spears of Andscape. “Anybody can get traded,” Thomas, the No. 27 pick out of LSU in 2021, acknowledged. “So, I try to stay away from them as much as I can, and just keep working on what the coach wants me to work on, even though that might change depending on who we have. I just want to keep working on what I’ve been working on, honestly.” Through four games in Las Vegas thus far, Thomas’s hard work has been paying off. He’s averaging 28.0 PPG, 3.8 APG, 1.8 RPG and 0.8 SPG.
In case you missed it, we previously relayed the contract details for new Knicks Jalen Brunson, Mitchell Robinson, and Isaiah Hartenstein.

Joe Mazzulla Getting Promoted To Bench Role

July 13th, 2022 at 7:58pm CST by Rory Maher

Celtics head coach Ime Udoka said he will be promoting Joe Mazzulla to a role on the bench in place of Will Hardy, tweets Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. Mazzulla recently interviewed for Utah’s head coaching vacancy, which ultimately went to Hardy. He also interviewed for Boston’s job last summer.

Contract Details: Kornet, Wall, Jokic, Garland, Reed, More

July 13th, 2022 at 12:51pm CST by Luke Adams

Luke Kornet‘s new two-year, minimum-salary contract with the Celtics includes multiple salary guarantee dates this year, Hoops Rumors has learned.

Currently, Kornet’s $2.13MM salary for 2022/23 is only partially guaranteed for $100K, but that guarantee would increase to $300K if the big man remains under contract through August 15. If Kornet makes Boston’s regular season roster, half of his salary (approximately $1.07MM) would become guaranteed.

Kornet’s deal with the Celtics doesn’t include any guarantee triggers beyond that, so his ’22/23 salary would become fully guaranteed after the league-wide salary guarantee deadline in January. His ’23/24 salary is non-guaranteed and would become fully guaranteed if he remains under contract through January 7, 2024.

Here are a few more details on newly signed contracts:

The second year of John Wall‘s two-year deal with the Clippers is a team option, Hoops Rumors has learned. Los Angeles used its full $6,479,000 taxpayer mid-level exception to sign Wall.
Nikola Jokic‘s super-max extension with the Nuggets and Darius Garland‘s new maximum-salary extension with the Cavaliers both feature 15% trade kickers.
Davon Reed‘s two-year, minimum-salary contract with the Nuggets is fully guaranteed in year one and non-guaranteed in year two. Reed’s second-year salary will become fully guaranteed if he’s not waived by July 8, 2023.
The Magic used a portion of their mid-level exception to sign second-round pick Caleb Houstan to a four-year contract that includes guaranteed $2MM salaries in each of the first two seasons. The third and fourth years are worth the minimum and are non-guaranteed — there’s also a team option on the fourth year.
As expected, the Lakers signed second-rounder Max Christie to a two-year, minimum-salary contract. That deal will be fully guaranteed, Hoops Rumors has learned. L.A. couldn’t offer Christie more than two years or more than the rookie minimum after using the full taxpayer mid-level exception on Lonnie Walker.
Michael Foster Jr.‘s deal with the Sixers is an Exhibit 10 contract, meaning the team has the option of converting it into a two-way contract before the season.

Atlantic Notes: McBride, Randle, Stevens, Tucker

July 12th, 2022 at 9:02pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The addition of Jalen Brunson could make playing time scarce for Miles McBride but he’s trying to remain confident, Zach Braziler of the New York Post writes. The 2021 second-round pick played in 40 games last season and projects as the Knicks’ third-string point guard behind Brunson and Derrick Rose. “Doing whatever I can to be on the floor [is my mindset],” he said. “If that means making shots, bringing the ball up, finding the open man, playing defense, I’m doing anything I can to be on the floor.”

We have more from the Atlantic Division:

Julius Randle showed his leadership by inviting young players Jericho Sims and Feron Hunt to summer weight and cardio sessions in Dallas, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News notes. “It was cool. He wanted me to come down, so I said, ‘Hey, he’s a big-time player, why not get close to him, build that relationship,’” Sims said. Randle is trying to improve an image that was tarnished during a disappointing season for him and the Knicks. He’s at the beginning of a four-year extension.
Brad Stevens is happy with his current status as the Celtics’ top executive but he’s not ruling out coaching again someday, as he told Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com. “I’ve enjoyed both roles I’ve been in. I love the people I’ve worked with in both roles, and my family loves it, so, yeah, we’re really happy,” he said. “I’m not going to try to predict the future. I have no idea. No idea. I don’t know if I’d ever coach again. We’ll see.”
Toughness, durability and 3-point shooting are among the attributes that P.J. Tucker brings to the Sixers. Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.com breaks down all the aspects of Tucker’s game and the intangibles he adds to the table as the veteran forward transitions from one Eastern Conference contender to another.

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

July 12th, 2022 at 12:57pm CST by Arthur Hill

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.”

Danilo Gallinari Signs Two-Year Deal With Celtics

July 12th, 2022 at 11:14am CST by Arthur Hill

JULY 12: The Celtics have officially signed Gallinari, the team announced in a press release.“We are thrilled to welcome Danilo to Boston,” president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said. “With his elite shooting abilities, he has long been established as of the league’s best scorers with size.”

JULY 10: After being waived by San Antonio on Friday, Gallinari has cleared waivers and agreed to a two-year, $13.3MM deal with the Celtics, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski confirms (via Twitter). The contract is fully guaranteed, agent Michael Tellem tells Wojnarowski.

JULY 1: Danilo Gallinari plans to sign with the Celtics after the Spurs officially release him, tweets Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported (via Twitter) that signing with Boston was Gallinari’s preference, after Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report suggested on Thursday that he was leaning that way.

Gallinari is expected to receive a two-year contract worth $13MM with a player option on the second season, sources tell Italian basketball writer Davide Chinellato (Twitter link). Boston will presumably use its taxpayer mid-level exception to complete the signing.

The 33-year-old forward, who spent the past two seasons with Atlanta, was sent to San Antonio this week in the Dejounte Murray trade. He agreed to push back the guarantee date on his $21.45MM contract for next season to help accommodate the deal and will likely receive a partial guarantee of about $10-11MM from the Spurs before being let go.

Gallinari will provide Boston with a veteran shooter who can play several positions. He has connected at 38.1% from three-point range during his career and averaged 11.7 points and 4.7 rebounds with the Hawks last season.

Injuries plagued Gallinari early in his career, but he has been relatively healthy over the past four seasons, playing 68, 62, 51 and 66 games.

The Bulls were also reportedly in the running for Gallinari.

Pacers Notes: Nesmith, Cap, Brissett, Sabonis, Taylor

July 12th, 2022 at 7:55am CST by Luke Adams

Malcolm Brogdon has passed his physical with the Celtics, clearing the way for Aaron Nesmith to officially join the Pacers‘ Summer League team, a league source tells James Boyd of The Indianapolis Star. With the Pacers/Celtics trade that sent Nesmith to Indiana officially irreversible, the former lottery pick could make his Summer League debut with the Pacers as soon as Tuesday, Boyd writes.

The completion of the Brogdon deal also clears a few extra million dollars in cap space for the Pacers, who reportedly have their eye on restricted free agent center Deandre Ayton.

Indiana doesn’t have quite enough cap room to make Ayton a maximum-salary offer, but the team is close to getting there. The Pacers also could be attempting to work out a sign-and-trade deal with the Suns so they don’t have to worry about the possibility of Phoenix matching an offer sheet.

As we wait to see what happens on the Ayton front, let’s round up a few more Pacers-related items…

The Pacers decided to pick up Oshae Brissett‘s team option in June rather than declining it to negotiate a longer-term contract with the young swingman as a restricted free agent. However, Brissett tells Boyd that he wasn’t bothered by that decision and still hopes to re-sign with the team in unrestricted free agency next summer. “They believed in me when no one else did, so whatever they had on the table I was really ready (to accept) and come back and give it my all for this year,” he said. “I want to be here long term, so I know next year, whatever happens, Indiana’s always gonna be my No. 1 option to be back. The fans and the team have welcomed me with open arms and I’ll never forget that.”
Former Pacers center Domantas Sabonis told Boyd that being traded from Indiana to Sacramento was “hard” and that he expects to have “a lot of emotions” when he plays in Indiana for the first time as a King. “I love Indiana,” Sabonis said. “That was basically my first real NBA experience. I spent one year in OKC and then got traded, so that was my home for a long time, you know?”
After having his salary guaranteed for 2022/23, Terry Taylor spoke to Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files about the role he envisions himself playing for the Pacers next season. “I think I can come in and do the little things to help the team, like play defense, be a versatile defender, crash the offensive glass like I usually do,” Taylor said. “And just be tough-minded and do all the dirty plays that nobody else wants to do.”

Celtics Notes: Tatum, Brown, Williams, Davison

July 9th, 2022 at 10:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

After coming up short in the NBA Finals, Jayson Tatum believes the Celtics‘ offseason additions will provide the firepower necessary to make another run at a title, writes Brian Robb of MassLive. Boston gained backcourt depth by acquiring Malcolm Brogdon from the Pacers and will sign Danilo Gallinari to provide more shooting at the wing.

“It’s great, great for our team,” Tatum said today as he watched the Celtics’ Summer League team. “Obviously said to see your brothers leave, (Daniel) Theis and Aaron (Nesmith), but we got better. Two veteran guys that are proven and ready to help us get to the next level. So I’m excited to have those guys.”

Tatum said he sent text messages to Brogdon and Gallinari after the news broke that they were on their way to Boston. He adds that president of basketball operations Brad Stevens kept him informed as the moves came together.

“Just kind of told me some options they were looking at, things they were keeping their eye on for free agency,” Tatum said.

There’s more on the Celtics:

Appearing on the broadcast of today’s game, coach Ime Udoka said the next step for Tatum and Jaylen Brown is to prove they can be team leaders as well as great players, tweets Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston. “A lot of what they’ve done throughout their career has been individual accolades,” Udoka said. “… We want them to continue to grow as playmakers, leaders on your team … They are the foundational pieces that everything’s gonna be built around.”
Purdue big man Trevion Williams could be Boston’s latest undrafted steal, writes A. Sherrod Blakely of Full Court Press. Williams has been getting positive reviews in practice, particularly for his advanced passing skills. “There were a couple of times he was looking the other way and threw it to a different guy that he wasn’t looking at, right in the shooting pocket for the 3,” Sam Hauser said. “He’s going to have a real impact in these games coming up.”
Second-round pick JD Davison, who signed a two-way contract earlier today, confirmed that he’s been promised a chance to earn a standard deal, tweets Jared Weiss of The Athletic. “They have indicated to me I could get a roster spot,” Davison said. “It’s just come out here, have fun, go do me and maybe that spot will be yours, maybe not. Whenever my name will be called, I’ll be ready.”