SALT LAKE CITY — Some people accustomed to Danny Ainge’s moves are waiting for another deal to drop.
David Lee, acquired Tuesday from Golden State for Gerald Wallace and another player (believed to be non-guaranteed Chris Babb), is a two-time All-Star power forward.
But what he’s doing on a rebuilding, borderline playoff team is a bit cloudy. After winning an NBA championship with Golden State, could this 32-year-old actually like the move?
As far as his agent is concerned, the answer is yes.
“It’s tremendous,” said Mark Bartelstein, who added Coach Brad Stevens’ system is an important consideration for Lee.
The Celtics have told Lee’s people that their intention is to hold onto the power forward, whose rebounding alone will provide this team with a major upgrade. As Cleveland, especially Tristan Thompson, illustrated during the playoffs, the Celtics don’t protect the defensive glass.
And Bartelstein believes the Celtics want to improve on April’s playoff dud.
“(Ainge) has always been a big fan,” Bartelstein said of the Celtics’ president of basketball operations. “And Brad’s system is right down David’s alley. Brad likes skilled bigs. David is very appreciative of what the Celtics want to do. They made the playoffs last year and because of that, David is a big addition.”
But is a 32-year-old former All-Star the right addition for a young, rebuilding team?
“Look at Washington,” Bartelstein replied. “The Wizards made a big step in one year. Why not the Celtics?”
In addition to his rebounding, this long-time double-double performer represents a serious scoring upgrade.
“The Celtics are very excited because they just got an enormous talent,” Bartelstein said. “David has been an All-Star in this league, a 20-10 guy. And if he hadn’t got hurt in training camp last year, he would have been the starting power forward on a championship team.”
The emergence of forward Draymond Green coincided with Lee’s injury-related fade into the background. After missing the first 24 games of the season, he returned in a reserve’s role for the Warriors for the first time in his 10-season career.
Once it became clear that Lee’s future in the Bay Area was limited, Golden State General Manager Bob Myers went to work with Bartelstein to find the right fit.
The Celtics turned out to be that willing partner, which also helped the Warriors shed Lee’s $15.5 million salary.
“The Warriors were unbelievably receptive to working with me,” Bartelstein said. “This was not just about trading him. He was traded to a place that wanted him.”
CLIPPERS: The team made a last-ditch push to keep DeAndre Jordan after the free-agent center had second thoughts about his agreement to join Dallas, people with knowledge of the situation said.
Jordan and the Mavericks agreed on a four-year, $80 million contract Friday. The Clippers can offer a five-year deal worth even more once contracts can be signed starting Thursday – and Los Angeles is attempting to keep Jordan with the only team he’s played with over seven NBA seasons.
THE NBA salary cap was set for next season at $70 million, a higher-than-expected number that paves the way for free-agent contracts to be signed.
The league said the cap increased by 11 percent and will be the highest ever. It had been projected to come in closer to $67 million until recently.
SUNS: Phoenix reached contract agreements with shooting guard Sonny Weems and point guard Ronnie Price, a person with knowledge of the situation said.
Weems, an all-Euroleague first-team selection in 2013-14, gets a two-year, $5.8 million deal with the second year a team option. He will make just over $2.8 million this coming season.Price agreed to a one-year deal at the veteran’s minimum of $1.5 million.
HORNETS: Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Police records indicate guard P.J. Hairston was cited June 18 for driving with a revoked license and expired tags, speeding and driving left of the center line.
A court date was set for July 27.
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