Boston Celtics Rumors
Celtics a real option for Bradley Beal?
So, should the Celtics be considered legitimate suitors for Beal? NBC Sports Washington’s Chris Miller joined Chris Forsberg on a brand new episode of the Celtics Talk Podcast to discuss. “I would say this, the Tatum thing is real,” Miller said. “Bradley would have never considered Boston if Tatum wasn’t there. Let’s just be honest, he would have never considered it. But that’s a thing, and before he had to leave [the Olympics] due to COVID, he had some really good synergy with Jayson, and those daily conversations didn’t hurt the Celtics’ chances. …
Dane Moore: Franz Wagner when asked if he’d rather play with or against his brother Moe Wagner: “I’d rather play with him. Playing against him, he’s a pain in the ass. So I’d definitely rather play with him.”
Chris Grenham: Zach Lowe just now on ESPN’s Woj & Lowe special regarding Bradley Beal: “Is Boston going to offer Jaylen Brown? I don’t think so.” pic.twitter.com/eOvSv7Tu7u
Ben Golliver: France’s Evan Fournier after beating USA Basketball in Tokyo Olympic opener: “They are better individually but they can be beaten as a team.”
Fournier is still one of the best pure scorers in this year’s free agency class coming off a season where he averaged 17.1 points per game in his time split between Orlando and Boston. The Celtics simply can’t afford to lose him in free agency with no return since they do not have the salary cap space to adequately replace him. There are a few other options (sign-and-trade) to leverage his value if the Celtics aren’t able to retain him. How much the team decides Fournier is worth in his next contract is the far tougher choice, along with what players on the roster would need to be moved if he’s retained in order to stay within the team’s budget. He’s expected to command at least $14 million per season in this market, per league sources.
Gary Washburn: Evan Fournier said he does not see the Olympic tournament as a type of free-agent showcase for himself, said he isn’t thinking about free agency. “I’m completely here” (with France). #Celtics #Tokyo2020
Joe Vardon: The Americans’ 25-game Olympic winning streak is over. They lose in pool play for the first time since 2004, falling 82-76 to France (again!) in the tournament opener for both teams. Evan Fournier killed TUSA with 28 points. USAB is 6-3 under Pop. More to come @The Athletic.
