The Boston Celtics traded one defensive-minded guard last week in Marcus Smart as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade and may be looking to the free-agent market to find a cheaper replacement.
According to Yahoo! Sports, the Celtics are a potential suitor for veteran Patrick Beverley, who is also expected to draw interest from the Bulls and other teams.
Beverley, 34, finished last season with the Bulls after he signed with Chicago following a buyout with the Magic. He made $13 million last season in the final year of his contract so will be looking at a sizable paycut in his next destination after signing for the veteran’s minimum with the Bulls on a buyout.
It’s hard to envision Beverley seeing much of a fit for himself right now for Boston’s current roster without more movement in their backcourt with Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon and Payton Pritchard all under contract. However, if Brogdon or Pritchard were on the move in a separate deal, an opportunity could be available for a veteran like Beverley in a bench role.
The Celtics don’t have much to offer Beverley in free agency as the team is currently composed. If Grant Williams is a part of Boston’s plans (unclear at this point), the Celtics won’t have the ability to offer even the taxpayer mid-level exception ($5 million) and still stay under the second apron (which would become a hard cap if they use the MLE). Boston could offer Beverley the veteran’s minimum but odds are likely that Beverley may have a bigger market than that (closer to taxpayer mid-level) if there are multiple suitors for him.
NETS: Cam Johnson is staying with the Brooklyn Nets on a four-year deal worth about $108 million after quickly becoming one of their top players following his arrival in the trade for Kevin Durant.
Johnson averaged 16.6 points in 25 starts after coming from Phoenix in February. The forward became a full-time starter for the first time in his career earlier in the season with the Suns.
• The Nets are trading Joe Harris, who twice led the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage, to the Detroit Pistons, a person with knowledge of the details said.
The Nets also sent two second-round picks to the Pistons in a move designed to create additional salary cap options for the free agency period.
Harris was the Nets’ longest-tenured player, having originally signed with the team in July 2016. He rose to become one of their most dependable players, leading the NBA by shooting 47.4% from 3-point range in 2018-19, then a franchise-record 47.5% in 2020-21.
But the swingman was limited to 14 games in 2021-22 before surgery on his left ankle, and had a lesser role in the latter half of last season after the Nets acquired four starters in the trades for Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in February.
Harris is set to make $19.9 million next season in the final year of his contract.
CAVALIERS: Looking to improve its roster after an illuminating playoff exit, Cleveland agreed to deals with forwards Caris LeVert and Georges Niang in the first hour of free agency.
LeVert, who bounced back and forth between starter and reserve last season, agreed to a two-year, $32 million contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
Niang agreed to a three-year, $26 million deal with Cleveland, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, told AP.
WIZARDS: Kyle Kuzma doubled his salary in Washington, agreeing to a $102 million, four-year deal.
WARRIORS: Draymond Green ensured that Golden State’s championship core stays together. Green got a new contract that’ll pay him $100 million over four seasons with the Warriors.
PACERS: Bruce Brown Jr. is leaving the NBA champion Denver Nuggets for a two-year, $45 million deal with the Indiana Pacers, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.
Brown started 31 games and was a key contributor in the playoffs for the Nuggets last season. He averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists during the regular season.
MAVERICKS: Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks agreed on a $126 million, three-year contract in the opening hour of free agency, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.
BULLS: The Chicago Bulls kept guard Coby White and added perimeter help by agreeing to a deal with Milwaukee Bucks guard Jevon Carter.
White opted to stay in Chicago rather than test the market as a restricted free agent and agreed to a $40 million, three-year contract, agent Ty Sullivan said. Carter is due $20 million over three years, agent Mark Bartelstein said.
BUCKS: Three-time All-Star Khris Middleton has agreed to terms on a three-year, $102 million deal that will keep him with the Milwaukee Bucks, a person familiar with the situation said Friday.
This move comes after Middleton, who turns 32 on Aug. 12, had declined a $40.4 million player option for the upcoming season to become a free agent.
ROCKETS: Fred VanVleet is leaving the Toronto Raptors for Houston.
VanVleet got $130 million from the Rockets for three years.
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