Ashy Larry
09-01-2010, 03:19 PM
The Boston Celtics (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos) are set to sign free-agent guard Delonte West (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2422), president of basketball operations Danny Ainge confirmed to ESPNBoston.com.
West, selected 24th overall by Boston in the 2004 NBA Draft, spent three seasons with the Celtics before being dealt to Seattle in the draft-day package that brought Ray Allen (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=9) to Boston (along with the draft rights to Glen Davis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3200)).
West didn't last a season in Seattle before being flipped to Cleveland in a three-way trade. He has spent the last two-plus seasons -- seasons marred by off-the-court troubles -- with the Cavaliers, saving his finest efforts in the 2008-09 postseason before losing his starting job last season. Cleveland traded West to the Minnesota Timberwolves (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=min) last month and he was waived soon after.
West is likely to garner the veteran minimum, which for a sixth-year player is little more than $1 million. If it's a one-year deal, the league will pay a portion of that salary, so Boston will only be on the hook for the salary of a two-year veteran, which is $854,000.
Should he make the opening day roster, West will be ineligible for the first 10 games of the season after being suspended by the league following a guilty plea on weapons charges in the state of Maryland.
For his career, West has averaged 10 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-4 guard should add depth at the shooting guard position, joining Von Wafer (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2793) as the top reserves behind Ray Allen.
Ainge, coach Doc Rivers, and even captain Paul Pierce (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=662) were not bashful in noting the team desired another shooter. West is a 44.6 percent shooter overall for his career and, while his 3-point shooting is average at best, he has a nice mid-range game that should fit well off the Boston bench.
Rumors swirled this week that West was in the Boston area. The Boston Herald reported Wednesday in its "Inside Track" gossip column that West was spotted apartment hunting in Waltham (site of Boston's practice facility). The Herald first reported West's signing Not a bad move .... added depth because Marquis Daniels flamed out. If dude can keep his head on straight, he can definitely contribute.
Who will Gloria choose?
http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5520279
West, selected 24th overall by Boston in the 2004 NBA Draft, spent three seasons with the Celtics before being dealt to Seattle in the draft-day package that brought Ray Allen (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=9) to Boston (along with the draft rights to Glen Davis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3200)).
West didn't last a season in Seattle before being flipped to Cleveland in a three-way trade. He has spent the last two-plus seasons -- seasons marred by off-the-court troubles -- with the Cavaliers, saving his finest efforts in the 2008-09 postseason before losing his starting job last season. Cleveland traded West to the Minnesota Timberwolves (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=min) last month and he was waived soon after.
West is likely to garner the veteran minimum, which for a sixth-year player is little more than $1 million. If it's a one-year deal, the league will pay a portion of that salary, so Boston will only be on the hook for the salary of a two-year veteran, which is $854,000.
Should he make the opening day roster, West will be ineligible for the first 10 games of the season after being suspended by the league following a guilty plea on weapons charges in the state of Maryland.
For his career, West has averaged 10 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-4 guard should add depth at the shooting guard position, joining Von Wafer (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2793) as the top reserves behind Ray Allen.
Ainge, coach Doc Rivers, and even captain Paul Pierce (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=662) were not bashful in noting the team desired another shooter. West is a 44.6 percent shooter overall for his career and, while his 3-point shooting is average at best, he has a nice mid-range game that should fit well off the Boston bench.
Rumors swirled this week that West was in the Boston area. The Boston Herald reported Wednesday in its "Inside Track" gossip column that West was spotted apartment hunting in Waltham (site of Boston's practice facility). The Herald first reported West's signing Not a bad move .... added depth because Marquis Daniels flamed out. If dude can keep his head on straight, he can definitely contribute.
Who will Gloria choose?
http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5520279