Brian Mahoney: Forget that Kobe to the #BIG3 idea. Molly Carter, chief marketing officer of Kobe Inc., says he definitely is not playing next year.
Brian Mahoney: Forget that Kobe to the #BIG3 idea. Moll…
Brian Mahoney: Forget that Kobe to the #BIG3 idea. Moll…
July 1, 2022 | 6:02 pm EDT Update
Even with Malcolm Brogdon addition, Marcus Smart remains Celtics' 'unquestioned' starting point guard
A team source stressed Friday Marcus Smart remains the Celtics’unquestioned starting point guard, and that the team was simply looking to add depth. Brogdon and Gallinari both had starring roles, but they’re willing to step back in order to pursue championships.
The Celtics still have other assets at their disposal, as their $17.1 million trade exception that expires July 18 was not used in the Brogdon deal. But a league source said the team is now unlikely to use that to acquire another substantial piece. The source said the Celtics had actively pursued trades involving the exception over the past two weeks, but ultimately the deal involving Brogdon, whose salary was too large to fit into the exception, turned out to be the best option.
Marcus Smart: Man REALLY excited about the moves we made today!! Want to welcome @gallinari8888 and @MalcolmBrogdon7 to bean town ☘️… #banner18 is all that’s on my mind!!
Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Smart, Robert Williams, Derrick White, Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard are all under contract for next season, and the additions of Brogdon and Gallinari will push that core group to 10. The Celtics last week declined their $1.6 million option on second-year forward Sam Hauser, and league sources said the team will likely sign the sharpshooter to a longer-term deal soon.
Chris Haynes: Free agent center Luke Kornet has agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Boston Celtics, league sources tell @YahooSports.
Keith Smith: The Celtics re-signing Luke Kornet does not take them out of the mix to sign another veteran big man, a source tells @celticsblog. Boston still has multiple roster spots.
Kyrie Irving: pic.twitter.com/P6ZCGO9iXi
