CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: The Rumor Mill on 6/28

Just read an interesting rumor on CelticsBlog. The rumor comes from the website Pick and Roll. I used a translation site to get a general idea of what it says and here is a rough translation of part of the article.

Next Wednesday will begin to have definitions in the market of free agents in the league (Oberto is in this condition) and the Athens Olympic champion in 2004, according to trusted sources close to Celtics could stop at a franchise, the most successful the history of the NBA, according to their curriculum.

So, according to a source close to the Celtics, Oberto may come to the Celtics. Oberto was just recently traded from the Spurs to the Bucks and then to the Pistons. HoopsHype shows that he has 2 years left at $3.5 million. Danny would either have to have a trade in the works or Detroit would need to buy him out for Danny to sign him as a free agent. If they don't buy him out, I wonder if they would like Scal's expiring contract. Oberto would make a good back up for Perk. I hope there is some truth in this one although this reminds me of all the articles in the overseas papers saying that Sarunas Jasikevicius was signing with the Celtics also.

The Dallas Morning News is reporting that the Celtics are expected to have some interest in Jason Kidd.

Wednesday is when teams officially can begin talking to free agents, and Kidd is expected to get overtures from several teams: Cleveland, Portland, Boston, New York and perhaps the Lakers.

The Mavs have said that they are going to make signing Kidd a priority and they can offer him any amount up to the max. Would he be interested in signing with the Celtics as a back up for the league minimum or LLE? Can we combine this with rumors that there is a deal in the works to send Rondo to the Kings for Evans and either Jason Thompson or Spencer Hawes?

The Globe is reporting that Big Baby is working out in Houston and has dropped from 320 pounds where he was at the end of last season to 300 and his goal is to get down to 270. Danny will make a qualifying offer to insure that Big Baby is a restricted free agent, giving the Celtics the opportunity to match any offer he gets. The Celtics want to keep him but it will depend on what kind of offer he gets from other teams.

One NBA general manager said Davis could maybe garner a contract paying $3 million-$4 million in the first year, while another said he’d get close to the mid-level exception (at least $5.6 million). Teams eyeing Davis also know that Boston is keenly interested, too, with matching power. But the Celtics are also over the projected luxury-tax threshold by nearly $2 million.

Big Baby will participate in the USA mini-camp next month. He says he wants to come back to Boston and Danny wants him back, but just as in Posey's case, Danny won't over-pay for him.

Antonio McDyess is looking for a shot at a ring. He would fit very well with the Celtics and he may just look at the Celtics as his best shot at getting that coveted ring. He had signed with Detroit following his buyout hoping for a shot at winning a title with them but with their rebuilding in process he will more than likely look elsewhere for a contender to sign with. He would be another player that would help the Celtics even though he is 35 years old, he still plays at a high level.

The Magic aren't sitting around and resting on their laurels. They are very busy trying to bring in quality players to upgrade a team that made it to the Finals last season. They have already signed Vince Carter and are courting both Brandon Bass and are considered a front runner to land Rasheed Wallace. Hopefully Danny has a few tricks up his sleeve to improve the Celtics or they are going to be left in the dust as other teams in the East improve this off season.

Summer League begins in Orlando on July 6. I am sure we will see Bill Walker, JR Giddens, Gabe Pruitt, Lester Hudson, and Chris Lofton on the team. Mikki Moore said at the end of last season that he would be willing to play on the summer league team, hoping that Danny would give him another chance, but I haven't seen any more about that. The team should play hard since every one of these players has something to prove and are fighting for a spot on the team. It's only July and I am already going into basketball withdrawal. I can't wait for the Summer League games.

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