CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Rumors and Free Agent Updates - Sasha Will Whine on Lakers Bench Again Edition

For the second time in a week, it is reported that Maurice Evans has signed a contract. First, it was reported that Evans signed with the Warriors but afterwards they changed the report to say that he turned down their offer and with the Warriors matching the offer for Kelenna Azubuike, they abandoned the chase for Evans. Today, the Journal Constitution reports that Evans has signed a three-year deal believed to be worth about $7.5 million. It is predicted that he will slide into the sixth man role that Childress vacated when he bolted to Europe. I thought that Evans was a nice fit for the Celtics and there were reports that Danny had been in talks about him.

The SacBee reports that the Kings have signed point guard Bobby Brown to a two-year deal at the league minimum ($442,114) with a player option in the second season. Ryan Hollins, the Bobcats restricted free agent, signed a one-year qualifying offer that will bring him back to the team next season after which he will become an unrestricted free agent.

The Utah Jazz have matched Oklahoma City’s four-year $15 million offer sheet for restricted free agent C.J. Miles. They took the full 7 days before deciding to keep Miles and match the offer.

The Warriors have been one of the busiest teams so far this offseason and continued to make moves as they signed Anthony Morrow on Friday. Morrow averaged 18.6 points in six Summer League games with the Warriors and impressed them enough to offer him a contract.

The Nets have 15 players under contract They have several power forwards on their roster and may be looking to deal Sean Williams and/or Stromile Swift in order to add another point guard and possibly a shooter. With all the moves that the the Nets have made and are expected to make, it's possible that Vince Carter and Josh Boone could be the only Nets remaining from the team they had at the start of last season.

The Timberwolves have agreed to a multiyear contract with former Celtic Ryan Gomes. I had always hoped that the Celtics would bring Gomes back to Boston, but I guess that isn't going to happen now. Gomes is expected to officially sign sometime next week. That makes 3 of the 5 players who went to Minnesota for Kevin Garnett that will be staying with the Wolves long term. Only Gerald Green and Theo Ratliff (and his expiring contract) left the club.

After reports came out that Sasha Vujacic was seriously considering going to Europe since the negotiations with the Lakers seemed to be at in impasse, both sides quickly moved to agree to a three-year, $15 million contract. It looks like Sasha will be around to whine his way through another season.

With other players jumping from the NBA to Europe for big contracts and rumors that Jason Kidd would consider finishing his career in Europe when his contract in Dallas is up, it isn't a surprise to read that Michael Findley has received offers to play in Europe also. However, the Sporting News reports that Finley turned down the offers from Europe and is looking to stay in the NBA. His first choice would be to stay with the Spurs and they are reported to have interest in keeping him. They also mention that Finley is looking at Lakers, Mavericks and Celtics. Finley fits Danny's mold of veterans with a lot of experience to finish the roster - like PJ Brown last season. Like PJ, Finley finally won a ring with San Antonio and if they make him an offer, I am sure he will return, but if not, he would fit nicely on the Celtics as a veteran presence off the bench.

Former Celtic and fan favorite, Delonte West is still looking to get a contract. As a restricted free agent, the Cavs can match any offer from other teams. It was widely reported that Delonte received a big offer from Dynamo Moscow, but the News Herald is now reporting that there is no truth to that rumor. Delonte is the Cavs' starting point guard and reserve guard Daniel Gibson received a five-year, $21 million deal last week so it seems that they should offer Delonte at least that but since there are few teams who can make Delonte an offer anywhere near that, there is no pressure on the Cavs to go above the deal they gave Gibson. I really like Delonte and would love to have him back in Boston, but that isn't in the cards. I hope he can get a good deal from some team as he deserves it. Maybe he should just accept the qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next season. Teams are always looking for point guards and he may be able to do better that way.

Speaking of former Celtics, the Heat have more than their share of them. With Marcus Banks and Mark Blount (I really, really dislike that guy) and have Ricky Davis as an unrestricted free agent. The Sun Sentinel has this about possibly bringing Ricky back to the Heat:

Among the emails to pass this way in the recent dog days of free agency are those wondering, just wondering, about the potential virtues of a Ricky Davis reunion.
Yes, he can score. Yes, there might be something to be said about Davis as a sixth man. But there's no way you distance yourself from 15-67 by bringing back too much of the 15-67. With Mark Blount and Marcus Banks, there is little choice. They're under contract. But with Davis a free agent, the Heat would actively have to pursue a reunion. Was Ricky Davis the cause of 15-67? Well, Shaquille O'Neal certainly played a far greater role, as did ailments to several others. But Davis also broke off numerous plays and missed countless assignments, albeit while making well-intentioned efforts

I really liked Ricky when he was with the Celtics, but I can't say as I want the Celtics to bring him back. He just doesn't have the ubuntu concept down although he plays hard every time out. The Heat are rumored to be offering Marion and/or Cook to try to bring in a center or point guard and if so, they may try to bring Ricky back but probably Ricky should go for that European offer. It may be his best bet.

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