Advertisement - scroll for more content
Damian Lillard had offers from dozens of teams
Damian Lillard had offers from "dozens" of teams around the league before signing a three-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. "Boston, Minnesota, dozens of other teams had minimum and mid-level exception offers out to Damian Lillard in the last several weeks," said Charania.
Shams Charania: Portland traded Damian Lillard for Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara, and assets in 2023 -- then Holiday to Boston for Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon and assets. Now, the Blazers have both Lillard and Holiday, plus Williams, Camara, a 2029 first-rounder and two Bucks swaps.
The Raptors ultimately used the pick, drafting forward Collin Murray-Boyles from South Carolina with Khaman Maluach, Cedric Coward and various center prospects available. New Orleans traded up to No. 13 overall to select Derik Queen, sending its unprotected 2026 Bucks pick to the Hawks for the selection. The Celtics stayed at No. 28 and took Hugo González before trading back from No. 32 in the second round. “I don’t think Boston ever really was so interested in that selection for one of those types of guys,” Fischer said. “Golden State definitely called for Derrick White too, but there’s just nothing that I know for Jaylen that got really close or for Derrick too.”
Drew Peterson, Hornets agree to two-way contract
Shams Charania: Former Celtics forward Drew Peterson has agreed to a two-way NBA deal with the Charlotte Hornets, agents Mike Silverman and Troy Payne of Equity Sports tell ESPN. Hornets' Charles Lee coached Peterson in Boston two seasons ago.
Veteran big man Charles Bassey was a late addition to Boston’s summer squad but had an impressive debut, registering 14 points and 11 rebounds in just 18 minutes. Bassey, who battled injuries while playing for the 76ers and Spurs over the last four seasons, said he is now healthy and eager for another shot. “He’s a guy that’s probably playing for what’s next,” Stevens said. “I just think he’s a guy we’ve paid attention to from afar for a long time. We’re watching all these guys all the time, and I thought he did a really good job yesterday. He probably was the biggest reason we won the game, I thought.”
Advertisement
Full schedules will be announced in August, coinciding with the rest of the NBA's schedule rollout for the 2025-26 season. The groups: East Group A - Cleveland, Indiana, Atlanta, Toronto, Washington. East Group B - Boston, Detroit, Orlando, Brooklyn, Philadelphia. East Group C - Milwaukee, New York, Chicago, Miami, Charlotte. West Group A - Oklahoma City, Minnesota, Sacramento, Phoenix, Utah. West Group B - L.A. Lakers, LA Clippers, Memphis, Dallas, New Orleans. West Group C - Houston, Denver, Golden State, Portland, San Antonio.
Nonetheless, they remain on the roster as the Celtics enter unfamiliar territory as underdogs in the Eastern Conference. Although White is sad to see his fellow NBA champions leave, he's optimistic about what's next for Boston. He spoke about the transition during an exclusive interview with NBC Sports Boston's Celtics insider Chris Forsberg. "It's always tough to see guys leave, especially people that you won a championship with and had so many great battles with," White said. "Obviously, seeing KP and Jrue get traded, it was tough to see. And then Luke (Kornet) signs somewhere else. "Having a different team and having those guys leave is kind of difficult, but it's part of the business and I'm confident the guys that we have coming in and the guys that we still have returning. So it's gonna be a lot of fun, and it's gonna be a different challenge, but I think that's just the great thing about basketball."
Jrue Holiday’s medical examinations raised concerns in Portland
According to multiple league sources, concerns were raised because of “new findings” during Jrue Holiday’s medical examinations. Sources said they were not substantial enough for the deal to be nullified, but they did give the Trail Blazers pause. So, Boston agreed to move forward with the deal without the 2030 and 2031 second-round picks that Portland originally agreed to send to Boston. Sources declined to reveal specifics of Holiday’s situation but stressed that the point guard was continuing his normal offseason training regimen without restriction. He is expected to be fully healthy for the start of training camp, too.
Sean Highkin: The Anfernee Simons-Jrue Holiday trade is now official, without the previously reported second-round picks going from Portland to Boston. The final deal is a straight 1-for-1 player swap.
Brad Rowland: The Hawks officially announced the trade to acquire Kristaps Porzingis. Terance Mann and the No. 22 pick (which is now the draft rights to Drake Powell) going to Brooklyn. Georges Niang and Cleveland’s 2031 second round pick going to Boston.
Advertisement
Mutual interest between Damian Lillard, Celtics
According to an NBA source, Lillard would consider signing with the Celtics, and the Celtics are indeed interested. A few years ago, Lillard wasn’t so keen on coming to Boston when the Trail Blazers were considering trading him. This time, however, he’s open to Boston and he has a close friendship with Tatum, as they played together on the 2020 Team USA in Tokyo.
League sources say Golden State remains a leading contender to sign Al Horford away from Boston as a much-needed move to bolster a frontcourt rotation that is no longer home to Warrior-turned-New Orleans Pelican Kevon Looney.
The main questions surrounding Boston entering free agency revolve around the futures of Al Horford and Luke Kornet, who are expected to have a lot of interest around the league. -- Tim Bontemps
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement