Supreme_Being
03-03-2010, 06:38 PM
Source: Boston Herald (http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?%20articleid=1236863&srvc=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%2Bbostonherald/sports/basketball/c%20eltics%2B(Boston%2BCeltics%2B-%2BCeltics%2B&%2BNBA%2B-%2BBostonHerald.com))
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - The Celtics [team stats] have identified what is believed to be a relatively small field of potential free agents now that the deadline for player buyouts has passed.
A Celtics source confirmed yesterday the primary target is veteran swingman Michael Finley, who was bought out of his contract by San Antonio on Monday. Finley is expected to clear waivers tonight. The team also is interested, to a lesser degree, in free agent guard Larry Hughes.
But Finley clearly has a rapt audience in the Celtics, who admittedly could use another shooter even after trading for Nate Robinson last week.
“Every team has some holes, and shooting is something we can’t have enough of,” Doc Rivers said after yesterday morning’s shootaround. “You look at some of these other teams, their shooting was ridiculous.”
Finley certainly has filled that role for the Spurs in recent years.
He’s also a player close to the Celtics coach’s heart, if only because of his roots.
Like Rivers and the Lakers’ Shannon Brown, Finley graduated from Chicago’s Proviso East High School.
“It’s another Proviso kid, they’re all good,” Rivers said. “Well, actually, Michael was probably the best. But we’re looking around. I don’t know if I can even say anything about Michael yet.
“But I don’t think a veteran ever hurts. It always helps if it’s the right one.”
The Celtics will compete with the usual playoff suspects for Finley, reportedly including the Lakers, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Mavericks and Jazz.
The Celtics already have checked into free agent Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and formed the conclusion that he is returning to the Cavs.
The source added the Celtics also have lingering interest in Hughes, though they would have to wait for the former Knick’s broken finger to heal. According to a published report, Hughes’ negotiations with Charlotte broke down this week over the team’s concerns about his readiness.
The current market appears to have produced less than the Celtics anticipated. According to the source, the team anticipated buyouts for New Jersey’s Tony Battie - a former Celtic - and Bobby Simmons. But both remained Nets.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - The Celtics [team stats] have identified what is believed to be a relatively small field of potential free agents now that the deadline for player buyouts has passed.
A Celtics source confirmed yesterday the primary target is veteran swingman Michael Finley, who was bought out of his contract by San Antonio on Monday. Finley is expected to clear waivers tonight. The team also is interested, to a lesser degree, in free agent guard Larry Hughes.
But Finley clearly has a rapt audience in the Celtics, who admittedly could use another shooter even after trading for Nate Robinson last week.
“Every team has some holes, and shooting is something we can’t have enough of,” Doc Rivers said after yesterday morning’s shootaround. “You look at some of these other teams, their shooting was ridiculous.”
Finley certainly has filled that role for the Spurs in recent years.
He’s also a player close to the Celtics coach’s heart, if only because of his roots.
Like Rivers and the Lakers’ Shannon Brown, Finley graduated from Chicago’s Proviso East High School.
“It’s another Proviso kid, they’re all good,” Rivers said. “Well, actually, Michael was probably the best. But we’re looking around. I don’t know if I can even say anything about Michael yet.
“But I don’t think a veteran ever hurts. It always helps if it’s the right one.”
The Celtics will compete with the usual playoff suspects for Finley, reportedly including the Lakers, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Mavericks and Jazz.
The Celtics already have checked into free agent Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and formed the conclusion that he is returning to the Cavs.
The source added the Celtics also have lingering interest in Hughes, though they would have to wait for the former Knick’s broken finger to heal. According to a published report, Hughes’ negotiations with Charlotte broke down this week over the team’s concerns about his readiness.
The current market appears to have produced less than the Celtics anticipated. According to the source, the team anticipated buyouts for New Jersey’s Tony Battie - a former Celtic - and Bobby Simmons. But both remained Nets.