March 2016 Boston Celtics Wiretap

Dwight Howard Seeking Starting Salary Of $24M On Open Market

Jun 30, 2016 11:08 PM

Dwight Howard is seeking a contract starting at $24 million per season.

Howard is expected to conduct his meetings in his hometown of Atlanta with the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics securing the first meetings.

The Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Hornets are also interested in Howard.

Howard declined his $23.2 million player option for 16-17 with the Houston Rockets to become a free agent.

Calvin Watkins/ESPN

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Celtics Agree To Move Back Guarantee Dates Of Amir Johnson, Jerebko To July 7th

Jun 30, 2016 7:55 PM

The Boston Celtics have agreed to amend the guarantee dates for both Amir Johnson and Jonas Jerebko to July 7th from July 3rd.

The decision to move the guarantee dates back allows the Celtics to pursue free agents with the possibility of additional cap space.

The Celtics are interested in a number of potential free agents, including both Kevin Durant and Al Horford.

Jeff Goodman/ESPN

Tags: Amir Johnson, Jonas Jerebko, Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Longtime Friend: Kevin Durant's Decision '90 Percent Made'

Jun 30, 2016 3:40 PM

Kevin Durant is widely expected to re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder for at least one more season.

Durant will meet with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs.

“His decision is 90 percent made. It would take an amazing sales pitch to change it,” said one of Durant’s longtime friends.

Another Durant colleague said, “It’s going to take some sweet-talking to get him to pass up all the money he can get by staying in OKC.”

Marc J. Spears/The Undefeated

Tags: Kevin Durant, Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Dwight Howard To Meet With Hawks, Celtics

Jun 29, 2016 12:03 PM

Dwight Howard has scheduled free agent meetings after July 1st with both the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics.

Howard is a free agent three seasons after signing with the Houston Rockets in 2013. Howard declined his $23.2 million player option with the Rockets for the 16-17 season.

The Celtics have pursued Howard in the past via trade.

Howard is a native of Atlanta and has received interest from the Hawks previously. Paul Millsap is under contract at power forward for the Hawks, while Al Horford will be a free agent.

Howard could meet with as many as five teams in free agency. The Miami Heat have yet to book a meeting with Howard but could emerge after showing preliminary interest.

Marc Stein/ESPN

Tags: Dwight Howard, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Al Horford To Receive Interest From Lakers, Rockets, Magic, Pistons, Wizards, Celtics, Nets

Jun 28, 2016 11:57 AM

The Atlanta Hawks will compete to re-sign Al Horford with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets.

Horford is a free agent for the first time in his career.

The Hawks can offer Horford a fifth season and more lucrative raises than any rival team. Atlanta's offseason goal appear to be to re-sign Horford and Kent Bazemore.

Horford has been an All-Star in each of the past two seasons.

Marc Stein/ESPN

Tags: Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Some Teams View Kevin Durant Meetings As Chance To Lay 2017 Groundwork

Jun 27, 2016 11:17 AM

Kevin Durant is expected to ultimately re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder on a one-plus-one contract and become a free agent again in 2017.

Teams meeting with Durant feel like they're laying the groundwork for his 2017 offseason as they anticipate that probable outcome.

The Thunder nearly reached The Finals in 2016 and the ability for Durant to re-sign on a short-term deal and then take a longer view when Russell Westbrook is also a free agent is appealing.

Even if Durant left the Thunder in free agency this summer, he would look for a one-plus-one contract in order to maximize his salary.

Adrian Wojnarowski/The Vertical (via Adam Kaufman/CBS Sports)

Tags: Kevin Durant, Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Celtics, Clippers, Heat, Warriors, Spurs, Thunder Get Meetings With Kevin Durant

Jun 25, 2016 11:16 AM

Represenatives of Kevin Durant at Roc Nation are working to solidify invitations with the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Durant is expected to take the meetings in New York but teams are still awaiting a decision on the final location.

The Thunder remain the frontrunners to re-sign Durant on a one-plus-one contract, according to sources.

But sources say the Warriors, more than than any other rival team, have Durant's attention.

The Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards could still capture meetings with Durant but are currently outside the process.

Durant will leave for a publicity tour in the Far East on July 9th and a decision is expected before he departs.

Adrian Wojnarowski/The Vertical

Tags: Kevin Durant, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Bulls, Celtics Discussed No. 3, No. 16, Jae Crowder For Jimmy Butler

Jun 24, 2016 8:50 PM

The Chicago Bulls involved Jimmy Butler in trade discussions with both the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Bulls and Wolves appeared to especially zero in on a trade with Butler for Kris Dunn as the primary pieces.

Chicago also held talks with Boston trading for No. 3 with Dunn as the pick along with Jae Crowder and the 16th overall pick for Butler.

Gar Forman downplayed the reports of Butler trade talks and said he doesn't feel the need to reassure him about his future with the Bulls.

"We appreciate Jimmy," Forman said. "We value Jimmy. It's our job to listen about any player on our roster when there's interest. And obviously we call teams and express interest in players that they have."

K.C. Johnson/Chicago Tribune

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

Discuss
Celtics Acquire Clippers' 2019 1st Rounder From Grizzlies

Jun 24, 2016 3:59 PM

The Boston Celtics have traded the 31st and 35th overall picks to the Memphis Grizzlies for the draft rights to the Los Angeles Clippers' pick in 2019.

The Grizzlies acquired the Clippers' first rounder as part of the Jeff Green for Lance Stephenson trade.

Memphis selected Deyonta Davis out of Michigan State with the initial second round pick.

Jeff Goodman/ESPN

Tags: Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Jaylen Brown Didn't Expect To Be Picked By Celtics, Excited For Playoff Basketball

Jun 23, 2016 10:41 PM

The Boston Celtics were the most mentioned team in trade rumors leading up to Thursday’s NBA Draft, but all of the discussions didn't result in a trade. The Celtics held onto the selection and took Cal’s Jaylen Brown, who they worked out twice.

“I had no idea. I promise you, I had no idea,” Brown said when asked if he knew the Celtics would take him. “I was actually sweating bullets when the final five seconds came in. But I knew they were heavily interested when they asked me to come back for a second workout, but you hear different things every day. I mean, it changes every day, so I was not sure at all. I’m glad to be here, I think it’s the right fit.”

While meeting with the media on Wednesday, Brown expressed a desire to involve himself in the culture of his new city — specifically mentioning Boston and New Orleans (who had the sixth pick) as interesting possibilities.  

“I know Boston has a lot of history, a lot of tradition, and I want to add to that,” Brown said. “I know it’s a playoff team, so I love playoff basketball, and I can’t wait to win. Boston is a great city full of culture, full of life, education, things that mean a lot to me. I’m super excited. I cannot wait to get there and can’t wait to get everything started, can’t wait for the season to start, and I’m happy to be a part of the family.”

Brown left Cal after just one season, but has been adamant about his interest in learning. 

“It took me a while to make a decision [on leaving early] because education is very important to me,” he admitted, “but this was the right thing for me to do, and Boston has a great history of education and some great universities like Harvard, MIT. I’ve done my research."

Andrew Perna/RealGM

Tags: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

Discuss
76ers Offering Nerlens Noel, 24, 26, Robert Covington To Celtics For No. 3

Marc Stein/ESPN

Celtics, Bulls Continue To Discuss Jimmy Butler Trade

Adrian Wojnarowski/The Vertical

76ers Increase Efforts To Acquire 3rd Overall Pick From Celtics

Chad Ford, Marc Stein/ESPN

76ers Offering Either Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel To Boston For 3rd Pick

Marc Stein/ESPN

Celtics Shopping No. 3 Pick For Butler, Hayward, Parker, Middleton

Marc Stein/ESPN

Danny Ainge Meets With Jeff Schwartz

Andrew Perna/RealGM

Buddy Hield, Marquese Chriss Work Out For Celtics

Jeff Goodman/ESPN

Celtics Aggressively Shopping 3rd Overall Pick

A. Sherrod Blakely/Comcast

Marquese Chriss Moves Up To Celtics At No. 3 In Latest DX Mock

Jonathan Givony/Draft Express

Celtics Sign Danny Ainge, Brad Stevens To Contract Extensions

RealGM Staff Report