The Boston Celtics are working on making the David Lee trade for Gerald Wallace official with the Golden State Warriors and that could happen this week after the team officially signs Jae Crowder and it comes as rookie Jordan Mickey has signed his contract and with Marcus Thornton going to Australia, while Marcus Smart is hoping to be ready for training camp after suffering a hand injury in the Summer League.
The Celtics did not sign any major free agents this offseason, but the team added depth with the Lee trade and they also signed back Crowder and added Amir Johnson. The team now is looking to finish off their roster moves and it comes after draft pick Marcus Thornton has signed in Australia, with the Celtics keeping his rights moving forward. Danny Ainge is working out the financials with the David Lee trade with the Warriors and that move is expected to be official soon.
According to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe, the Celtics are likely going to make the Lee trade official in the "next week" along with the signing of Crowder. The Celtics moved Gerald Wallace to get Lee from the Warriors and he is expected to be a contributing player this year after being a backup with the Warriors. The Celtics reportedly were looking into a Danilo Gallinari trade with the Nuggets, but he now is back on a contract extension and that leaves the Celtics with 16 guaranteed deals coming into the end of July. Chris Babb reportedly could move in the Lee deal to help the money line up.
The Celtics also added Perry Jones in a trade with the Thunder that helped give Oklahoma City some financial relief and now they have some strong depth at multiple positions. Perry helps with Evan Turner, Crowder and James Young at small forward, while Lee comes in to give Jared Sullinger, Jonas Jerebko and rookie Jordan Mickey some depth. Lee also can slot in at center when needed and the Celtics could consider a trade down the line with Sullinger or Turner.
Marcus Smart was injured in the Summer League and dealt with two dislocated fingers and while he will be out for the NBA Africa exhibition game, he could be ready for training camp. Smart reportedly did not suffer any fractures according to the Boston Globe. Last season Smart played in 67 games as a rookie and averaged 7.8 points with 3.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
The Celtics have other moves to make, as SB Nation reports the team is closing on signing first round pick RJ Hunter next week. The team also had Marcus Thornton sign in Australia, as the Boston Globe reports that he will be part of the Sydney Kings in Australia's National Basketball League and the Celtics can also use him in the D-League later on. The move helps the Celtics, as they wanted to keep control of Thornton but the team did not really have room for him on the roster with Terry Rozier and R.J. Hunter being first round picks. The team also signed Mickey as a second round pick to a four year deal with two years guaranteed.
