Solomon dealt to Kings
The Will Solomon era in Boston is over little more than an hour after it began.
The Celtics have sent Solomon, a point guard acquired from the Toronto Raptors shortly before the 3 p.m. trading deadline in exchange for center Patrick O'Bryant, to the Sacramento Kings for a heavily protected second-round draft pick. According to sources, the deal is formally a three-way swap.
"Nothing real exciting," Celtics president Danny Ainge said about the team's maneuvering before the deadline. "Just creating a roster spot." Ainge added that the Celtics didn't come close to acquiring any players today.
The Celtics now have 13 players on the roster, leaving two open roster spots to add free agents if they so choose. Ainge declined specific comments about potential free agents, but don't be surprised if the Celtics keep an eye on whether Oklahoma City forward Joe Smith and suspended New York guard Stephon Marbury ever get bought out of their deals.
"Free agents will come into play now and over the next couple of weeks," Ainge said.
As for the player who departed today, the 7-foot O'Bryant played sparingly in his first season with Boston and third in the NBA overall. The 22-year-old averaged 1.5 points in 26 games for the Celtics after arriving as a free agent from Golden State in the offseason.
Said O'Bryant's agent, Andy Miller, "We appreciate the opportunity that Danny has given Patrick. This will be a good situation for him and provide him with a chance to play."
Earlier in the day, O'Bryant was thought to be heading to the Kings in a move to create salary-cap space, but instead it evolved into a three-way deal with Toronto.
Sacramento-bound Solomon, 30, is averaging 4.9 points and 3.2 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per game in 39 games during his second NBA season. The 6-foot-1-inch, 180-pound Hartford native -- who is nicknamed "The King" -- had perhaps his top performance Nov. 16 versus Miami, with 15 points and 11 assists.
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So in other words we've acquired two 2nd round picks and now have two roster spots open? Mikki Moore might be a good pickup. Joe Smith would be even better though.
I was hoping it would work out for O'Bryant here. If this wasn't a championship team I think the Celtics would have given him the time he needs, since he has some good skills for a 7-1 guy. If they didn't have issue's defending against 6'-11+ guys this year I see him staying on the roster but since they are having the issue and O'Bryant does nothing to help, it makes sense to not keep dead weight on the bench. Especially when the dead weight is 7-1. I'm guessing this sets up the Celtics to acquire Cassell and Joe Smith once they are bought out. Cassell makes no sense. Joe Smith does.
It seems the Celts are just dumping salary for conditional drafts picks. I hope the money they save can play the point if Rondo goes down...
WAATTTTTTTTT?!
WAATTTTTTTTT?!
Will Solomon, we hardly knew ye.
Wow, Calvin Booth??????
What is going on with you guys???????
Celtics management sucks!!!!!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHA
hog
Well Hog,
The Celtics have few bargaining chips to work in trades and nothing was working out there, so I think Ainge did the best thing he could here in opening up two roster spots that were previously held by non contributers. Yes Calvin Booth is not the best name, but all signs are pointing towards the Celtics filling these two open spots with Joe Smith/ Mikki Moore and possibly Marbury. Doesn't mean I think the C's will take it all this year, but I think given the current situation Danny did the best thing he could.
Ainge is simply making space for veteren free agents. Believe it when Ainge signed Ray Allen - Pierce and Garnett had signed off on getting together.
Miiki Moore would be a good move he can play. Joe Smith fine. Marbury Fine.
Booth no way he is a smokescreen - his stats are pathetic.
Bring Chris Herron back and Wayne Turner back
SHOULD HAVE TRADED A SECOND ROUND PICK AND OBRYANT FOR ODEN!!! HAHAHA
We do need to add some depth as was evidenced in the games against Cleveland and the Lakers. A backup point guard and a big would be great. Marbury is a gamble, but the Celts have the option to dump him if it's not working out. If they could pick up their nemesis Joe Smith that would really help out. Mikki Moore probably would not be a bad acquisition since he's active on the boards and a decent defender. Like last year, homecourt advantage will be critical so we need to make some moves soon to ensure having the best record.
Mikki Moore? Give me a break!
It's Joe Smith since he stated he wants to come here. If the Celtics get him, I'll feel comfortable with this team against anyone.
get joe smith
Joe Smith i think will help .releasing O'Bryant is a bad move, the guy is a great defender if given some playing time.
Celtic fans need to come to grips, maybe a bad choice of a word, but the celts are done for this year. Best record, yeah, to the lakers or cavs.
Maybe mchale will give you a loaner player.
OBryant appeared to get every chance to earn minutes here but agree that any f/a big man will be an upgrade. Sac Bee is saying that unless he Kings actually get very good the picks will never even happen - it was simply cheaper for the Cs to pay the kings to take these guys than it was to cut them due to the lux tax. Dud of a trade day for the NBA
JAson Williams said he wants to play again..He will be a solid backup PG for Rondo...
Source: Yahoo Sports
Why don't we ever hear about the weakness at Center for the Celtics with Perkins?He will never be more than a an adequate 15-20 minutes-a-game, back-up center, as his lack of athleticism, bad hands, and poor judgement do not qualify to make him a Championship contributor. When we played against the Iron recently, i.e. the L.A. Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, and even against Lee from the Knicks, he cannot favorably compete.
Coach FM
Man dey should have stick with james posey and should have traded tony allen instead but i think dat joe smith will be a good backup if i was danny ainge i would have get someone to compare with P.J brown and james posey all dey need is defense dats all i can say so far.
Is Calvin Booth related to the guy that asassinated Lincoln?
Wal-tahhhhh!
J-Will (rather than Marbury) & Joe Smith or Mikki Moore will certainly help! Go for the battle tested ones for the playoffs! Go Celtics!
Just kidding-I am really the one who sucks!
Go Celtics!
hog
Dick Bavetta sucks.
Opening some roster spots? Does this mean PJ Brown is coming back?
It seems apparent that Ainge is planning some kind of move since he's opening up roster spots. Now that the trading deadline has past, the Celts will be looking for any players being released by other teams (Smith, Marbury). I have mixed feelings about Marbury since you don't want to mess with the excellent chemistry of the team, however if he can get on board, he could help. Dick Bavetta does suck as evidenced in the recent Jazz game. It really irks me when the refs take the game away from a team especially the Cs. We clearly had the game in hand but the refs failed to call blatant fouls and gave the game to the Jazz.
i am afraid we wont be champions again for a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong while....
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