Celtics emerge as serious suitor for Lee, Rockets open to sign&trade

[HMMMHMM]

Sources: Celts, Courtney Lee meet The Boston Celtics have emerged as a serious suitor for Courtney Lee after coach Doc Rivers met with the free-agent guard Saturday night, according to sources familiar with Boston's thinking. Sources told ESPN.com that the Celtics, in the wake of losing sharpshooter Ray Allen to the Miami Heat, have racheted up their pursuit of Lee as a possible replacement. Lee averaged 11.4 points per game for the Houston Rockets last season and hit 40 percent of his 3-point attempts. The Celtics don't have the salary-cap space to sign Lee outright, but sources say that the Houston Rockets have let it be known that they're willing to participate in sign-and-trade deals with both Marcus Camby and Lee amid the increasing likelihood that neither of those coveted free agents will be returning to Houston. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, sources said, are the other teams in prime pursuit of Lee. The Chicago Bulls have long been interested in Lee as well, but the Bulls' limited financial flexibility means that they'd also need a sign-and-trade deal to land the swingman.

http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/...ee-sources-say

[rocketman84]

Even if we don't get Dwight, I like the way we are trying to build our draft picks. This is the right way to rebuild. Should've done this 2 years ago.

[rocketfan21]

Would be a great fit for him. Not really sure which power forward I'd want from them though.

[Garner]

Knd of find this curious considering the emergence of Avery Bradley and signing of Terry.

Perhaps they view bradley as more of a backup PG to Rondo?

[Sooner423]

It would be pretty awesome if they could snag first rounders for Lee and Camby. If they could do the same with Scola and Martin, I don't know how Orlando could get a better offer than what the Rockets could offer.

[Garner]

Bradley, Steisma, picks

Any other assets I'm missing that Morey would potentially covet?

[ABZERO]

A pick and Fab Melo please.

[DieHard Rocket]

No doubt that Les has had a shift in philosophy, probably after some convincing by Morey. They saw last year the being "competitive" while rebuilding does not mean fans will show up. Better off shortening the process, and they are going to do that by maximizing the return on all of these assets like Lee and Camby.

[HMMMHMM]

Celtics got some decent assets:

Avery Bradley
The Celtics own 2013 first round draft pick
2013 second round draft pick from Charlotte
2013 second round draft pick from Minnesota

We would have to take back some salary in a double sign&trade though. Chris Wilcox might work.

[Garner]

Originally Posted by HMMMHMM Celtics got some decent assets: Avery Bradley The Celtics own 2013 first round draft pick 2013 second round draft pick from Charlotte 2013 second round draft pick from Minnesota We would have to take back some salary in a double sign&trade though. Chris Wilcox might work.

I hVe a feeling Steisma will be overlooked in this conversation, but I can't think of a better young shot blocking center that could handle coming off the bench behind Asik.

[J-Red]

What would it take for them to give up Rondo? Or is now considered the Franchise player for them? If that's not possible I guess go for Bradley, since they don't really have a center either (KG is NOT a Center). Either that or more draft picks for the future.

[Garner]

Originally Posted by HMMMHMM Celtics got some decent assets: Avery Bradley The Celtics own 2013 first round draft pick 2013 second round draft pick from Charlotte 2013 second round draft pick from Minnesota We would have to take back some salary in a double sign&trade though. Chris Wilcox might work.

On my phone, but would something like:

Steisma + pick for Lee work money wise?

[HMMMHMM]

Originally Posted by Garner I hVe a feeling Steisma will be overlooked in this conversation, but I can't think of a better young shot blocking center that could handle coming off the bench behind Asik.

Stiemsma is a free agent though and apparently wants to play for the T-Wolves.

[rocketblaze]

Originally Posted by HMMMHMM Celtics got some decent assets: Avery Bradley The Celtics own 2013 first round draft pick 2013 second round draft pick from Charlotte 2013 second round draft pick from Minnesota We would have to take back some salary in a double sign&trade though. Chris Wilcox might work.

So is getting the rights to Fab Melo out of the question?

[Garner]

Originally Posted by HMMMHMM Stiemsma is a free agent though and apparently wants to play for the T-Wolves.

Well damn. Thanks for catching up to speed


What's up with the offseasons love affair with the Timberwolves?

Must be little Wicky

[wallyj12]

Originally Posted by rocketman84 Even if we don't get Dwight, I like the way we are trying to build our draft picks. This is the right way to rebuild. Should've done this 2 years ago.

I like it too, but I'm afraid they are all going to be shipped away for something really short sighted.

[Garner]

Originally Posted by rocketblaze So is getting the rights to Fab Melo out of the question?

Houston passed on him 3 times. One pick (18) of which, was in Fab Melo range.

I just don't think the front office shares this boards love affair with Fab Melo.

[smoothie_king]

Originally Posted by Garner Knd of find this curious considering the emergence of Avery Bradley and signing of Terry. Perhaps they view bradley as more of a backup PG to Rondo?

backup plan for Bradley's injury.

I was really surprised at Bradley's development. It proves that you can't coach speed.

[asmith8266]

I'll take -- Bradley/1st rounder for Lee & Cole/2nd rounder for Camby.

Thanks!

[BasketballMind]

Possible picks for Camby and Lee? ... I'm excited to see what the Rockets will receive for Martin and Scola