Boston Celtics Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Bulls, Hawks Most Likely Suitors For Okafor?

November 6th, 2017 at 12:41pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bulls and Hawks appear to be the most likely landing spots for Jahlil Okafor, according to TNT’s David Aldridge, who cites league sources in his latest report at NBA.com. However, the Sixers continue to hold out for “at least a draft pick,” Aldridge writes.

While it’s not clear if Aldridge is referring to a first-round pick or just a decent second-rounder, his report sounds similar to one from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski last week. Wojnarowski indicated that the 76ers remain committed to acquiring some sort of “asset” in exchange for Okafor, who has asked to be traded or bought out.

The Bulls and Hawks are both very much in rebuilding mode, with just two wins apiece so far this season, so a move to acquire a 21-year-old with Okafor’s pedigree would make sense for either team. However, both clubs figure to maintain a tight hold on their draft picks, and – like Boston – would almost certainly be unwilling to part with a first-rounder for Okafor.

Although the former third overall pick still has plenty of potential, his contract situation makes him a tough sell. Because his fourth-year option was turned down, Okafor will be an unrestricted free agent next July, and the team carrying him as season’s end won’t be able to offer him a contract with a starting salary higher than about $6.3MM, the amount of his declined option. So if Okafor were to be traded now and then enjoyed a breakout year with his new team, that club may not be able to re-sign him.

Okafor would like resolution sooner rather than later, but as Aldridge notes, it’s possible that the Sixers will hang onto him as insurance against a potential Joel Embiid injury, or in order to use him as a salary-matching piece in a deadline deal.

The 76ers don’t want to take on any extra salary in a potential Okafor trade, since they want to have the flexibility to renegotiate Robert Covington‘s contract after November 15 and to retain cap space for next summer, says Aldridge. Philadelphia is also reluctant to buy out Okafor, according to Aldridge, since they believe it would take the division-rival Celtics “about 30 seconds to scarf him up.”

Celtics Won't Give Up First-Rounder For Okafor

November 5th, 2017 at 9:07am CST by Arthur Hill

The Celtics remain interested in Sixers center Jahlil Okafor, but won’t give up a first-round pick to get him, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. Boston views the third-year center as more of a project than an immediate contributor and is reluctant to part with a significant asset.

Marcus Morris made an immediate impact Friday in his first game for the Celtics, notes A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston. After being slowed by soreness in his left knee, Morris debuted with nine points and four rebounds in a win over the Thunder, and his defense on Carmelo Anthony helped Boston overcome a large deficit.

Sixers Notes: Okafor, Holmes, McConnell, Fultz

November 4th, 2017 at 7:30pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Sixers refuse to negotiate a buyout with Jahlil Okafor in part because they don’t want the Celtics to get him for free, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia has held trade talks with Boston about the third-year center, dating back to last season. The Celtics were recently awarded an $8.4MM disabled player exception and would probably pounce on Okafor if he hits the open market.

In addition, Pompey notes, the Sixers have a history of trying to get something in exchange for their players, even when their future clearly is no longer in Philadelphia. As an example, he cites Evan Turner, who was in the same situation as Okafor four years ago. The Sixers decided in October not to pick up Turner’s option, but he remained on the roster until the February deadline, when he was dealt to Indiana. Pompey suggests that if Philly can’t find an acceptable deal for Okafor, he could face a long wait until he plays again.

There’s more news out of Philadelphia:

Richaun Holmes, who made his season debut Friday night, gives the Sixers a needed boost to their interior defense, Pompey adds in a separate story. Now recovered from a fractured bone in his left wrist, Holmes limited the Pacers to six points in the paint while he was in the game. Coach Brett Brown says Amir Johnson remains the primary backup to Joel Embiid, but Pompey believes Holmes will challenge for playing time. “Richaun gave us a lot of energy and I’m glad to have him back,” Embiid said.
T.J. McConnell has managed to contribute this season, even though Ben Simmons has been given control of the offense, according to David Murphy of The Philadelphia Inquirer. McConnell, who started 51 games at point guard last season, has been moved to a reserve role and has been effective when paired with Simmons in the backcourt.
The oddest story surrounding the Sixers this year has involved first-round pick Markelle Fultz, writes Ken Berger of Bleacher Report. After playing well during summer league, Fultz reported to training camp in September with a changed shooting motion and was recently diagnosed with scapular muscle imbalance in his right shoulder. Former Lakers strength and conditioning coach Tim DiFrancesco said scapular imbalance isn’t painful and is a common condition in the NBA. “It certainly can lead to some structural pathology and pain issues,” DiFrancesco said. “But that in itself is not going to immediately, directly, equal pain.”

Marcus Morris To Make Return Tonight

November 3rd, 2017 at 4:35pm CST by Austin Kent

The Celtics will get Marcus Morris back tonight, A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston tweets. The 28-year-old forward will make his debut with the franchise after coming over from the Pistons in a trade last summer.

Expect Morris to come off the bench in his Celtics debut with a minute restriction of around 20, Blakely adds in a second tweet.

Last season Morris averaged 14.0 points in 32.5 minutes per game for the Pistons. This year he’ll look to provide toughness and veteran leadership to a Celtics team eager to prove that they’re deep enough across the board to win the Eastern Conference.

Celtics Notes: Hayward, Stevens, Horford, Baynes

November 1st, 2017 at 6:13pm CST by Arthur Hill

“I had run that play countless times” is how Gordon Hayward begins a recap of his injury and the aftermath in a lengthy piece posted on his website. Titled “In an Instant,” the article retraces the collision that led to Hayward’s season-ending injury on opening night, his experiences at the hospital, the outpouring of support and the beginning of rehab.

Hayward’s surgery was successful and he expects to be ready for next season. He got thousands of messages of encouragement, and among those that stand out came from Paul George and Kobe Bryant, who both recovered from serious leg injuries, and the Utah Jazz, which Hayward left in free agency this summer. Hayward credits the Celtics for helping with the rehab process and notes that his injury will require young players like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum to grow up faster.

“I keep imagining what it’s going to be like to step onto the floor at the Garden, and make my regular season debut as a Celtic,” Hayward writes. “It’s going to be a little delayed. But with each day of my rehab, I’ll be that much closer to making it happen. I’m already dreaming about sharing that moment with everyone here in Boston—a city that I’m still getting to know, but that I’ve connected with through all of this in ways beyond anything I could have imagined.”

There’s more news out of Boston:

Hayward is still very limited by the injury, but coach Brad Stevens said he has begun shooting from a chair, tweets Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald. Hayward is still in a walking boot, but had a hard cast removed.
Celtics players are crediting Stevens for keeping the team from panicking after Hayward went down, relays Chris Forsberg of ESPN. After an 0-2 start, Boston has strung together five straight wins to reach the top of the Eastern Conference. “Once [the Hayward injury] happened, we really didn’t know where we were at as a group,” said Al Horford. “But I felt like we’ve really come together and we’re trying to take it day by day. Just listening to Coach, and he’s steering us the right way.”
The Celtics haven’t lost since inserting Aron Baynes into the starting lineup, notes David Morrow of AmicoHoops. After Boston dropped its first two games with Horford as the starting center, Stevens made a lineup change to add size. Baynes took over in the middle, with Horford shifting to power forward, Tatum at small forward and Brown moving to the backcourt. It has become the team’s best overall lineup and its top rebounding group, grabbing 56% of all boards. Baynes, who signed with the Celtics this summer, is averaging a career-best 5.1 rebounds in about 20 minutes per game.

Jahlil Okafor Talks Trade, Buyout, Frustration

November 1st, 2017 at 1:06pm CST by Luke Adams

As we detailed earlier today, Jahlil Okafor told reporters on Wednesday that he has asked the Sixers about buying him out, and would like to be traded or bought out as soon as possible.

We passed along a small portion of Okafor’s comments in that story, but Rich Hofmann of The Athletic has a more detailed account of what the third-year big man told reporters today. Hofmann’s piece, which is available to non-subscribers, is worth checking out in full, particularly for Sixers fans, since Okafor is refreshingly frank about his situation. Here are a few highlights:

On the Sixers’ reaction to his request for a buyout:

“I only talked about it with [president of basketball operations] Bryan [Colangelo] and he just said that he felt that if he bought me out, another team would be getting me for free. But that’s where we stand today, because he waited so long to trade me. There’s nothing else to do. I’m not playing here and at the end of this season, I’m an unrestricted free agent. I want to be on the court and play.”

On when he decided he’d like to be bought out:

“Yesterday. I didn’t expect November 1st to hit, that I would be here. That’s why these past few weeks when we got asked the question about the rotation and stuff like that, I’ve been calm because I didn’t think I would still be here today. I didn’t think that Bryan would keep me, honestly. But here I am, November 1st I’m still here and looking to play somewhere. I’m 21, I’m healthy, and I’m trying to get on the court.”

On his trade value and why he wants out of Philadelphia:

“Teams are not really looking to give up anything when somebody can walk out of the door at the end of the season. So it puts me in a tough spot because I want to be on the court. This is my life, this is my career, and I’m not getting an opportunity here, which is fine. The team looks great and I’m not a part of that. They’re going to continue to do great things, but at the same time, I want to play.”

On whether he feels like there were trades the Sixers could have made:

“Yeah, talking with my agent, there were definitely deals on the table. Bryan didn’t deem they were fair, which I understand, I’m a number three pick. But at the same time, that’s what teams were offering. Me and my agent started getting the hint that they weren’t going to offer more, so it’s rather that you’re going to make a move on it or not. And he waited too long, and now I’m here today. I’m not saying a trade is impossible, but I just know it’s going to be really difficult knowing that I’m an unrestricted free agent after the season.”

While we wait to see what the Sixers do with Okafor, the Celtics are a team to watch, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, who notes (via Twitter) that Boston has shown “a lot of interest” in the young center.

Pompey believes the C’s would be the most likely landing spot for Okafor in the event of a buyout, though it’s not clear if the team is willing to give up anything of value in a trade.

Explaining The Celtics’ Disabled Player Exception

November 1st, 2017 at 12:13pm CST by Luke Adams

As a result of Gordon Hayward‘s ankle injury, the Celtics were granted a disabled player exception by the NBA last week. Disabled player exceptions aren’t used with nearly the same frequency as other salary cap exceptions, such as the mid-level or bi-annual, and the rules surrounding DPEs are a little more complicated than they are for most other exceptions.

With that in mind, we’re here to answer a few questions related to disabled player exceptions. We’ll be taking a closer look at the Celtics’ DPE specifically, in the hopes of clearing up any misconceptions about it and explaining exactly what Boston can and can’t do with the new exception. Let’s dive in…

Why did the Celtics receive a disabled player exception?

A team can apply for a disabled player exception when it has an injured player who is expected to miss the entire season. If an NBA-designated physician determines that the injured player is more likely than not to be sidelined through the following June 15, the league will grant the team a DPE.

In this instance, Hayward is considered likely to miss the rest of the 2017/18 season and to be out through June 15, so the Celtics were given a disabled player exception to replace him.

So the Celtics get an extra roster spot?

No. A disabled player exception is about cap flexibility rather than roster flexibility. The Celtics are still limited to 15 players on NBA contracts, but they’re allowed to spend an extra $8.4MM to add a replacement for Hayward. If not for that exception, the over-the-cap C’s would be limited to offering a minimum salary contract to a free agent.

Why is the Celtics’ DPE worth $8.4MM?

A disabled player exception is worth 50% of the injured player’s salary or the amount of the full mid-level exception, whichever is less.

For instance, last season, when Justise Winslow sustained a season-ending shoulder injury, the Heat applied for and were granted a disabled player exception. However, because Winslow was only earning $2.6MM, the exception was worth 50% of his salary — $1.3MM. As a result, Miami couldn’t do much with that DPE.

Hayward, on the other hand, is earning $29.7MM in the first year of his maximum salary contract with the Celtics. Half of his salary would be nearly $15MM, but the value of a disabled player exception can’t exceed the mid-level exception. This year, the full MLE is worth $8.406MM, so that’s also the value of Boston’s DPE.

Are there any free agents left worth $8MM?

Probably not. There are a few interesting names on the list of available free agents, but Boston could probably sign just about any of them for a minimum salary contract.

Still, if the Celtics are willing to be patient, it’s possible their DPE could come in handy for a free agent addition later in the season. Each year, a few potential impact players are bought out after the trade deadline, and Boston’s ability to offer up to $8.4MM to one of those players could be valuable.

Additionally, the disabled player exception doesn’t need to be used on a free agent — it can also be used to acquire a player in a trade. The player must be in the final year of his contract, but as long as he’s earning $8.506MM or less (the DPE allows for a $100K buffer in trades), the Celtics wouldn’t have to send out any salary in a trade.

So a disabled player exception functions like a combo mid-level/traded player exception?

Sort of. It can be used to sign a free agent, like the mid-level exception, or to acquire a player in a trade, like a traded player exception. Also, like MLEs and TPEs, it can’t be combined with another exception or a player’s salary to increase its value. Still, there are a few differences that set the DPE apart.

For one, the disabled player exception can only be used once. Mid-level and trade exceptions can be used to acquire multiple players, but if the Celtics decide to use their DPE to trade for a player earning $3.4MM, they wouldn’t still have $5MM left to use on someone else. The DPE would be gone.

Additionally, because the disabled player exception is intended to be a short-term solution to replace an injured player, a team can’t use it to add a player for multiple seasons. If it’s used to sign a free agent, he has to sign a one-year deal. If it’s used to acquire a player via a trade, he has to have just one year left on his contract (or one year plus an option, if the option is declined as part of the deal).

If the DPE is designed to help a team replace its injured player, what happens if Hayward comes back this season?

If Hayward makes a miraculous recovery and returns to the court in April, with the Celtics having already used their DPE to add another player, that’s great news for the team — Boston would be able to activate Hayward without the replacement player being affected.

Hayward’s injury has already been deemed season-ending by the NBA. If it hadn’t been, the Celtics’ application for the disabled player exception wouldn’t have been approved. If his diagnosis changes later, that’s not a problem.

The only scenario in which a Hayward return would compromise the Celtics’ ability to use the DPE is if he gets back on the court before the team has used the DPE and before it expires. Then they’d lose it.

And when does it expire?

March 10. If the Celtics haven’t used it by that point, they lose it.

That date applies to all disabled player exceptions — teams have until January 15 to apply for a DPE, and until March 10 to use it.

So which players might the Celtics target with their DPE?

It’s probably still too early to come up with a comprehensive list. The Celtics have adjusted well since losing Hayward and aren’t in immediate need of reinforcements. They can afford to wait until closer to the trade deadline (February 8) – or even after the deadline, if they have their eye on a buyout candidate – to determine which player would be the best fit.

As the season progresses, more and more teams will fall out of contention and more players will land on the trade block. Additionally, the Celtics will have more time to assess which position is their greatest area of need.

Still, there are at least a handful of trade candidates already out there. Jahlil Okafor is the most popular name now that the Sixers have turned down his 2018/19 option. Young big men on rebuilding teams, such as Nerlens Noel and Alex Len, would be intriguing possibilities, though they have the ability to veto trades and would lose their Bird rights if dealt. If the Celtics are eyeing a wing, veterans like Corey Brewer and Vince Carter meet the necessary criteria.

Again though, it probably makes sense for the C’s to wait and see how the season plays out. Many players – including a few listed above – aren’t yet trade-eligible, and most teams aren’t looking to deal quite yet anyway.

Have more DPE questions that aren’t answered above? Ask away in the comment section below.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Celtics Pick Up 2018/19 Options On Brown, Rozier

October 31st, 2017 at 1:44pm CST by Luke Adams

The Celtics have picked up a pair of 2018/19 team options, locking in Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier for next season, according to RealGM’s log of official NBA transactions.

Brown’s third-year option will count against the Celtics’ cap for about $5.17MM in 2018/19, while Rozier’s fourth-year option is worth approximately $3.05MM. The Celtics will eventually have to make a fourth-year option decision on Brown, but the team’s next decision on Rozier will be whether or not to extend him during the 2018 offseason. If Rozier doesn’t sign an extension, he’ll be on track for restricted free agency in 2019.

Brown and Rozier are two of just four Celtics who finished last season in Boston and remained on the club’s opening night roster, joining Al Horford and Marcus Smart as the lone holdovers. With Gordon Hayward expected to miss the entire season and players like Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder no longer in the mix, both Brown and Rozier figure to be leaned on for increased roles in 2017/18.

So far this season, Brown has averaged 15.4 points in 33.3 minutes per contest, while Rozier has recorded 9.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in 24.6 minutes per game. Each player averaged approximately 17 MPG last year.

Team Adjusting To Life With Hayward

October 30th, 2017 at 5:30pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Celtics are gradually adjusting to the loss of Gordon Hayward, according to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. Hayward’s horrific leg injury in the season opener left the team reeling but it has perked up over the past week, winning four straight heading into Monday’s game against the Spurs. “I think we’re getting used to that reality to what we have in front of us,” power forward Al Horford told Bulpett. “It’s a hard blow, but then as the days go on you kind of realize that this is our reality, this is what we have, and we need to make the most of it with what’s here right now.”

Marcus Morris Practices With Maine Red Claws

October 30th, 2017 at 4:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Celtics forward Marcus Morris, who is working his way back from a knee injury, was assigned to the G League today and was later recalled by the C’s, according to the club (Twitter link). Morris, who participated in practice today with the Maine Red Claws, is expected to play in his first game for Boston at some point this week.