Celtics president Danny Ainge said Mickael Pietrus should be ready for game action by the middle of January after July knee surgery.

“It feels great [to be in Boston],’’ Pietrus said. “Since I have been in the NBA, my goal has always been to win a championship, and I have a chance to win one so I’m going to give it everything I’ve got with my new teammates. So hopefully at the end of the year, we get what we want.’’

Pietrus injured his right knee in March while playing for the Phoenix Suns. The Suns were close to trading him to the Raptors earlier this month, but Toronto called off the deal when Pietrus’s knee did not test at full strength.

The New Orleans Hornets announced that they have requested waivers on forward Lance Thomas.

Thomas, a Duke University product, appeared in two regular season games, averaging 0.5 points. In two preseason games (both starts), he averaged 3.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.

The Hornets roster now stands at 14.

Andrei Kirilenko will stay with CSKA Moscow until the end of the season.

Kirilenko signed 3-year contract with CSKA Moscow before the start of 2011-12 season, with the option to opt-out once the lockout was over.

Kirilenko is coming off an injury-plagued season with the Jazz.

The Dallas Mavericks are back in the mix to land free-agent center Kyrylo Fesenko after the Golden State Warriors passed on the Ukranian big man, according to sources close to the situation.

Fesenko had committed to signing with the Warriors earlier this week, but sources told ESPN.com that Golden State and Fesenko "mutually" canceled their plans to finalize a one-year deal worth just under $1.1 million, in part because Fesenko needs an additional week or two to get into game shape after September knee surgery.

Sources said Fesenko is now leaning toward accepting the Mavs' one-year minimum offer and is likely to make a decision by early next week.

Nick Young has a feeling that his reputation for flaunting the silly may have contributed to his inability to get the kind of long-term contract that he desired in free agency.

“I have something to prove,” Young said. “I’m not going to take the joy away from me, because that’s how I am. But I’m going to try to tone it down.”

Young eventually had to settle for a one-year, $3.7 million qualifying offer from the Wizards. He will hit the market as an unrestricted free agent next summer.

“I’m trying to set the tone for where I want to be, my future and everything,” Young said. “I realize how serious they take everything in the league. I’m not trying to have those labels.”

The Memphis Grizzlies waived Brian Skinner, Chris Wallace announced on Thursday.

Skinner (6-9, 255), who originally signed with Memphis on Dec. 10, appeared in one regular season game with the Grizzlies, logging four minutes on Dec. 26 at San Antonio.

The Phoenix Suns have signed Michael Redd, the team announced .

“Michael Redd has a proven pedigree as a first-rate NBA scorer,” said Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby. “He will work with our renowned training staff to get into basketball shape. When he is ready to play, Michael will be a welcome addition to our team.”

Consider the Clippers one of the many teams hoping to sign Joel Przybilla.

The Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks also have expressed interested in the 7-foot-1, 245-pound free-agent center.

Przybilla's agent, Bill Duffy, confirmed Wednesday that the Clippers have interest in his client.

Przybilla played in just 38 games last season because of knee injuries.

Michael Redd, who has a scary knee history, worked out for the Suns at US Airways Center on Tuesday, and the Suns are expected to sign the 32-year-old Thursday to address their need for scoring and shooting.

Redd likely would not play immediately as he learns the Suns' system and works into playing shape.

Redd worked out for the Suns along with free agent NBA veteran Ime Udoka and free agent Gilbert Brown, but Redd appears to have the primary interest.

The Suns also had Redd's left knee examined because he has played only 61 games over the past three seasons due to two surgeries. Redd tore the anterior-cruciate ligament and medial-collateral ligament in his left knee in January 2009 and did it again in January 2010.

Dwight Howard didn't say much about the Nets — certainly nothing that would explain why he reportedly has asked the Orlando Magic to trade him, with the Nets being his No. 1 preferred destination.

"We’re not talking about the Nets right now," Howard said. "We’re talking about the Magic. That’s the team I play for. There’s no need to talk about any other team – who’s interested in them or not. I’m not going to get into a discussion about it."

Howard was told how Nets point guard Deron Williams has said the two talk often, and how Williams said he'd like to play with Howard.

"Well, me and Deron have talked for a couple of years," Howard said. "We did play with each other in the Olympics. I talk to a lot of guys – not just Deron, but Jameer (Nelson); Gilbert (Arenas); I talk to Big Baby (Davis) – I talk to a lot of guys. And everyone wants to get together and play basketball. But as of right now, the only thing that matters is this next game, coming out and playing and getting the job done."