The Boston Celtics missed out on the top free agents this summer, but the team has been active on the trade market and they have talked with the Denver Nuggets about a Danilo Gallinari deal and this comes after the team dealt for David Lee with the Warriors and acquired Perry Jones in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Celtics reportedly are looking for some more offensive options heading into the season and Gallinari has come up as a potential target with the Nuggets. Denver could be on the verge of a big rebuild and according to Steve Bulpet of the Boston Herald, the Celtics have "discussed" a deal with the Nuggets about Gallinari, but there is "nothing" close to happening yet. Sources gave "conflicting talk" to the Herald about a deal, but RealGM also reported on the news and Bulpet writes it's one to "keep an eye on" for the Celtics.
The Celtics have signed Amir Johnson this offseason and they also brought back Jonas Jerebko ahead of the David Lee trade. The deal with the Warriors took Gerald Wallace away and gave the Celtics a solid option at power forward to play with Johnson and Jared Sullinger. Lee was not playing much in Golden State and he should have more chances to get minutes in Boston. Lee is on an expiring deal and he could be a trade target this season if the Celtics are not in the mix in the east.
The Celtics pulled off another trade this week, as the team has reportedly acquired Perry Jones III from the Oklahoma City Thunder. According to the Boston Herald, the team has a second round pick and cash coming from OKC and the team did not have to give up much, as they moved a "protected 2018 second-rounder" in the deal. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the move was a money deal for the Thunder, as they now have $7 million less on their luxury tax with the move.
Gallinari will remain a target for the Celtics and this comes as the Memphis Grizzlies also showed interest in the Nuggets forward. Gallinari comes in after dealing with an injury in the previous season before last year and he came back and played in 59 games for Denver. Gallinari averaged 12 points and three rebounds per game last season and he shot a solid 40 percent from the floor and that could make him an attractive target for Boston. Gallinari is getting paid over $11 million, but he is also on an expiring deal and could be a short term pickup for the Celtics.
Jones gives the Celtics some depth on the roster and he comes in after playing in 43 games last season and averaging four points and two rebounds per game. Jones has not been able to crack the starting lineup for the Thunder, but he should be a solid fit at just $2,038,206 for the season. Jones will have to prove himself to get minutes for Brad Stevens, but the deal was an easy one for Boston and they did not have to give up much.
Check here for more on the talks between the Nuggets and Celtics on Gallinari and for more on Perry Jones, David Lee and more moves from Danny Ainge.