The #1 pick in the 2004 NBA draft, Dwight Howard, torched the Celtics for 26 points, helping Orlando to a 119-106 victory.  

Many have been skeptical of Howard, saying he is not physically ready to play in the league; however this last outing is a step in the right direction.

Delonte West had 20 points for the C's, while Keith Bogans had 38 for Orlando and Snap Hunter added 21. Bogans made 4-of-6 treys and 13-of-17 overall as his club shot 57 percent.

The Boston Celtics are interested in bringing forward Eric Williams back for a third tour of duty, holding discussions with the Cleveland Cavalier about a potential sign and trade, but at this stage the stumbling block appears to be Chucky Atkins.

The Cavaliers are interested in receiving Atkins back in return, but Boston is hesitant to give him up, calling him the best point guard they have got.

Williams has also been rumored in a sign and trade deal with the New Jersey Nets.

Free-agent Mark Blount has agreed on a six-year deal with the Celtics.

The 7-foot, 250-pound center was Boston's primary unrestricted free-agent. He is a four-year veteran who appeared in every game last year, averaging 10.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

Second in the league in field goal percentage behind Shaquille O'Neal, Blount converted 56.6 percent of his shots.

The Celtics reportedly used their mid-level exception to sign Blount.

"Center Mark Blount agreed Thursday to re-sign with the Boston Celtics, agent Mark Bartelstein told ESPN Insider Chad Ford. The contract, according to Bartelstein, will be for six years, $41 million."

Blount was one of the few big men in this years free agent class. He was being linked to Miami (where he lives near); and Boston (where he would re-join coach O'Brien).

"I think Danny [Ainge] and Doc [Rivers] did a great job of convincing him that he would be part of great future in Boston," Bartelstein told Chad Ford of ESPN. "They stepped up to the plate offering their full mid-level exception and I think at the end of the day, Mark felt like they really wanted him the most."

"Blount's contract also includes a 15-percent "trade kicker," meaning that if Blount is traded at any time during the length of the contract, he will receive an additional 15 percent of his remaining salary on top of the salary, a source told ESPN's David Aldridge."

Amidst all the Paul Pierce rumors flying around, Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge has decided to finally put them to rest.

"I don't like to comment on trade rumors, but I want to put an end to speculation about Paul Pierce," said Ainge. "I have absolutely no intention of trading Paul Pierce. I believe we have two special pieces, in Doc and Paul. I want to see them grow together. I believe that relationship will help make the Celtics an exciting and competitive franchise in the future."

The Boston Celtics have signed first-round draft picks Al Jefferson, Delonte West and Tony Allen.

The Celtics selected Jefferson, a forward from Prentiss (Miss.) H.S., with the 15th overall selection in the Draft. They took West, a guard from St. Joseph's, with the 24th pick and Allen, an Oklahoma State guard, with the 25th.

Jefferson averaged 42 points and 18 rebounds per game during his senior season.  West averaged 18.9 points per game to help lead his St. Joseph's team to an undefeated regular season.  Allen averaged was the Big 12 Player of the year, averaging 16 points per game.

Also, the Celtics also made a qualifying offer to center Chris Mihm before the June 30 deadline, a move that gives the Celtics the right to match any offer Mihm receives.

Danny Ainge has signed first round draft choices forward Al Jefferson, guard Tony Allen and guard Delonte West to standard rookie-scale three year contracts, the Boston Celtics' executive director of basketball operations announced today.

Jefferson, selected 15th overall in June's NBA Entry Draft, will join Allen (25th overall) and West (24th overall) on Boston's summer league teams in the Pepsi Pro Summer league in Orlando and the Reebok Vegas Summer league this month. They will be joined by second round draft choice forward Justin Reed, who has yet to sign a contract, and current Celtics Marcus Banks, Ernest Brown and Kendrick Perkins.

The Celtics tip off July 6 against New Jersey in Orlando.

Although they're doing their free agent shopping mainly by phone, Danny Ainge visited Antonio McDyess in Houston.

``There's really nothing going on yet,'' director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said yesterday. ``We're just talking to a lot of people about filling out a roster spot with us.''

The club has not yet made an offer to any of the free agents on their list (Etan Thomas, Adonal Foyle and McDyess among them), and the Celts still are holding out hope that Mark Blount [news] can be convinced to stay.

Afterwards, Ainge visited McDyess, but that process still is in its early stages. McDyess is coming off a serious knee issue (bone grafting was involved), and the Celts are not yet sold on his prognosis. McDyess reportedly wants a three-year deal.

According to David Aldridge on ESPN the Sonics are listening to offers for All-Star Ray Allen, with Minnesota and Boston amongst the teams that Seattle has contacted.

The Sonics have denied they are shopping Allen, who is entering the final year of his maximum contact and has just hired an agent to help with negotiations.