We first heard the Courtney Lee to Boston rumors when the Rockets bought out his contract. We heard how Doc had reached out to him very early on. Then we really heard nothing.
The Celtics sitting on a bi-annual exemption that was barely over the league minimum seemed to be the issue in signing him as a free agent. Why go to Boston for a shade over $2 million when you can sign in Minnesota for or Memphis for $5 or $6 million.
Well, the Celtics worked out the framework with the Rockets on a sign and trade. The Celtics are going to ship out last year’s Purdue draft picks JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore along with former Boston College Eagle Sean Williams and a second round draft pick. The draft pick isn’t even their own it’s Charlotte’s so it could fall very high in the second round.
For Danny Ainge to pull this off I think just reiterates his skills as a GM. In essence he’s trading three guys that possibly weren’t going to even make the roster and picked up a scorer who will start in the rotation until Avery Bradley is healthy. He may even supersede Bradly and become the starting guard and keep the job.
Lee is no Ray Allen, let’s not fool ourselves. But he’s better than Ray Allen is now. While Ray is in South Beach hobbling around on bad ankles at nearly 40 years old, this guy will be 27 when the season starts. So Danny’s getting younger on the fly. Pierce, Terry, and Garnett are the only guys on the roster over 30 at this point.
So needless to say I love the move and can’t wait to see this guy suit up for the Green. If Sullinger and Mayo can be the rebounders I hope they can be, the C’s should be able to run with any team in the league.
