The Boston Celtics have lost young star Marcus Smart to a finger injury in the summer league and now he may miss the first NBA game played in Africa and this comes as the Celtics have looked into a Danilo Gallinari trade with the Nuggets, while the David Lee deal with the Golden State Warriors should be official soon.
The Celtics have been active this offseason after signing Amir Johnson and Jae Crowder and the team has added David Lee and Perry Jones in trades. The Celtics brought back Jonas Jerebko and they now have some real depth up front with Tyler Zeller, Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk already in Boston. The team made the playoffs last season and they could be in the mix for the division this year in the Atlantic. According to the Boston Herald, Steve Bulpett reports that the Celtics have talked a Danilo Gallinari trade with the Denver Nuggets this summer.
The Herald reports that the two sides "discussed" a deal but that there was "nothing doing as of now" and that there was "conflicting talk" from sources close to the teams. The Nuggets reportedly are considering working on a contract extension with Gallinari, according to the Denver Post, but Pro Basketball Talk writes that it could "be about increasing Gallinari's trade value." Last season Gallinari returned from an injury and averaged 12 points in 59 games for the Nuggets and he shot over 40 percent from the field.
The Celtics have acquired Lee from the Warriors this offseason, but the two sides have yet to officially complete the trade. There are no issues with the deal and it is expected to go through, but according to the Boston Globe, Adam Himmelsbach reports that "neither team is any rush to get everything finalized." The sides are working on the financials and the deal includes Lee and Gerald Wallace, but Himmelsbach reports that another "small contract" is likely to move to make the money match up. The Celtics have added some good depth this offseason up front and Lee is expected to play a bigger role with Boston than he did with the Warriors. Last season Lee played in 49 games and averaged 7.9 points and 5.2 rebounds and he is coming into the final year of his contract.
Smart has been looking good in the Summer League for the Celtics, but he will be out for the team with an injury to his hand. According to the Boston Globe, Smart dislocated two fingers while playing for the Celtics in Las Vegas and now he will miss an exhibition game in South Africa. The Globe reports that Smart was going to be be "among a contingent" of coaches and players that will play in the first NBA game in Africa.
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens and forward Evan Turner are also participating. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Smart is expected to be healed up by the time the season starts after receiving stitches and having his joints "popped back in place."
Check here for more on the Celtics trade options, the Danilo Gallinari move, the free agency signings and for more on the David Lee trade becoming official.