2014 Preseason schedule

The Celtics this afternoon have announced their 2014 preseason schedule.

The C's will play eight preseason games starting on October 6 at TD Garden against the Philadelphia 76ers. The preseason culminates on October 22 back where it started, at TD Garden, but against the Brooklyn Nets.

Boston will only face off against their Atlantic Division foes.

Here's the entire schedule:

• October 6: Philadelphia 76ers, TD Garden, 7:30 pm
• October 8: New York Knicks, XL Center (Hartford, CT), 7:30 pm
• October 10: Toronto Raptors, Air Canada Centre, 7:00 pm
• October 11: New York Knicks, Mohegan Sun Arena (Uncasville, CT), 7:30 pm
• October 15: Toronto Raptors, Cross Insurance Arena (Portland, ME), 7:30 pm
• October 16: Philadelphia 76ers, Wells Fargo Center, 7:00 pm
• October 19: Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center, 3:00 pm
• October 22, Brooklyn Nets, TD Garden, 7:30 pm

Report: C's sign Turner

The Celtics have signed free agent forward Evan Turner, according to the Boston Herald.

The Herald is also reporting that he will receive a portion of their mid-level exception.

Turner, 25, averaged 17.4 points for the Philadelphia 76ers last season before being traded to the Indiana Pacers.

Turner was drafted second overall in 2010. In his four year career, Turner has averaged 11.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

C's debut new alternate logo

Via USA Today

Along with a new road uniform, the Celtics are adding an alternate logo.

The logo, shown above, pays homage to a 1960s illustration created by Zang Auerbach, the brother of late Celtics' patriarch Red Auerbach. Zang was an editorial sports artist in Washington.

The logo will first be used on Adidas team apparel and merchandise on sale through the team's online store beginning this month.

Celtics season ticket-holders and corporate partners can also buy apparel featuring the new alternate logo two days before products are released to the general public.

Keith Sliney, the team's creative director and designer of the logo, said the logo will not replace the current logo and will not be placed on the team's uniforms.

C's to tweak road uniforms

The Celtics will be making a slight change to their road jerseys this season, according to reports.

Conrad Burry, a renowned graphic designer who has done rebranding work for NBA teams in the past, tweeted today that the Celtics road jerseys will now read "Boston" across the front instead of "Celtics."

Burry cited the 2015 Adidas NBA merchandise catalog, as the jersey was listed under the "On-Court Collection."

Below is a picture of the change.

Celtics send Humphries to Washington

Via Getty Images

It seems that things can change in the blink of an eye.

A day after telling WEEI's Rob Bradford at the MLB All Star Game in his hometown of Minnesota that he "could definitely see a return to the Celtics," free agent Kris Humphries is headed out of town.

The Celtics and Washington Wizards are finalizing a sign-and-trade for the 6'10'' center, according to Yahoo Sports.

Humphries will sign a three-year, $13 million deal with the Wizards.

The Celtics will get a partial trade exception from Washington, which the Wizards acquired as part of the sign-and-trade deal with the Houston Rockets for Trevor Ariza.

Humphries, 29, averaged 8.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in 20 minutes per game while shooting 50.1% from the field. He played 60 games this past season for the Celtics.

Celtics acquire Zeller, Thornton

In a three-team trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets, the Celtics have acquired Tyler Zeller from Cleveland, Marcus Thornton from Brooklyn and a top-ten protected 2016 first-round pick from Cleveland, according to multiple reports.

Cleveland sent Jarret Jack and Sergey Karasev to Brooklyn, and the Celtics will send a future second-round pick to Cleveland to complete the deal.

The deal cannot be officially announced until July 10, when the league's moratorium period ends.

The deal was primarily made by Cleveland in an effort to clear cap space to acquire free agent LeBron James.

The Celtics used their $10.3 million trade exception that they acquired in the Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett deal last summer. The exception would have expired on Saturday.

Zeller, 24, averaged 5.7 points and 4 rebounds in 15 minutes per game last season. He gives the Celtics a rim protector and a promising young big man.

Thornton, 27, played for the Sacramento Kings and Nets last season and averaged 9.8 points per game.

Zeller and Thornton come relatively cheap. Zeller is scheduled to make $1.7 million this season, and the Celtics hold a $2.6 million option for him next season. Thornton will make $8.575 million. His deal expires after this season.

This deal now gives the Celtics a better package to put together in an attempt to acquire Kevin Love.

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has been relentless in his pursuit of Love, according to Yahoo Sports.

A league source told the Boston Globe on Monday that Ainge is attempting to acquire assets to get Love, and this deal accomplishes that.

However, Ainge may not be done. CSNNE.com is reporting that the Celtics are "far from done" making deals this summer.

If Ainge is unable to acquire Love via trade, he has now put the Celtics in a nice position to sign him as a free agent next summer. Following this season, the Celtics will have approximately $33 million coming off the books and will have plenty of money to go after Love.

Celtics re-sign Bradley

The Celtics have re-signed Avery Bradley to a three-year, $32 million deal.

Bradley, 23, was a restricted free agent.

Bradley maintained a desire to stay in Boston throughout the process, and Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge expressed the same sentiment.

"I think Avery can be a very key player in us winning the championship,” Ainge said. “He does things that other players can’t do. His shooting continues to improve, we all have all seen his terrific defensive abilities...But we also love that he's a great player, someone we hope to keep around here for many years to come."

The Celtics extended a $3.58 million qualifying offer to Bradley, and the $8 million annual salary certainly trumps that offer.

Bradley had a breakout season in 2013-2014, averaging 14.9 points (a career-high) while shooting 44% from the field and 39.5% from the three-point line.

Report: Celtics may shop Rondo

The Celtics appear to be going all in, or all out.

If the Celtics are unable to land Kevin Love, they will look to trade Rajon Rondo, a league source told the Boston Herald last night.

If they are unable to attain a superstar, the Celtics will opt for a more methodical, prolonged rebuild and start from scratch.

Rondo's current deal expires following this season.

The Celtics have been among the top teams in the Kevin Love sweepstakes, but it appears the Golden State Warriors have emerged as the front-runner.

Another source said the Celtics have a taker for Jeff Green should they choose to deal him.

With the NBA Draft fast approaching, the rumor hill will only get hotter. Stay tuned throughout the week.

Updates on Love, Embiid

Kevin Love may be on the move fairly soon, and that may not be good news for the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics are not in the top three when it comes to offers for the Minnesota power forward, a league source told the Boston Globe.

Minnesota wants to win now, and they want NBA players as well as draft picks in return for Love, according to reports. Flip Saunders, president and now head coach of the Wolves, feels the Celtics cannot offer the kind of NBA-ready talent they're looking for right now.

Multiple sources have reported this afternoon that the Golden State Warriors have emerged as the front-runners for Love after they made guard Klay Thompson available in trade talks.

ESPN's Marc Stein reported that the two sides are discussing a deal that would send Love and Kevin Martin to Golden State for Thompson, David Lee and the 13th overall pick in this year's draft.

We'll see how this situation plays out.

* Joel Embiid, who was projected to be the number one overall pick in next week's draft, will have surgery tomorrow to repair a stress fracture in his right foot.

He will no longer participate in any more pre-draft workouts, and he will not travel to New York to attend the NBA Draft.

An anonymous NBA general manager told the Sporting News, "You cannot use a top five pick on Embiid."

Apparently, none of that matters to the Celtics.

According to CSNNE.com, the Celtics will give serious thought to taking Embiid, even if that means moving up in the draft.

The Celtics "are keeping all options open," according to a league source.

The Celtics have had a history of drafting players with injury concerns over the past few years. They took Jared Sullinger in 2012 after he slipped due to concerns over his back. They also drafted Avery Bradley after he slipped to the 19th slot in 2010 due to his ankle woes.

Report: Celtics trying "hard" to trade for Love

Don't go burying those Kevin Love to Boston rumors just yet.

According to ESPN's Chad Ford, the Celtics' may have the best trade offer for Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love.

Ford writes that the Celtics are "trying real hard" to use this year's 6th and 17th overall picks, future first-round draft picks and young players such as Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk in a package to bring Love to Boston.

This report comes after ESPN Boston's Jackie MacMullan wrote on June 5 that Minnesota was "less than enamored" with Boston's proposal.

The Love rumors have cooled a bit since Timberwolves team president Flip Saunders named himself head coach. Many believe Saunders named himself coach in part to make a better effort to keep Love with the franchise.

However, Ford writes, "One source close to the Wolves said that while Saunders does not want to trade Love, he realizes the team likely will lose him this summer and the package the Celtics are offering is probably the best he's going to get."

No deal is expected to take place until the NBA Draft, which is June 26.

Celtics work out six players

The pre-draft workouts continue for the Celtics.

Yesterday the team welcomed Haverhill native and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Noah Vonleh, and today's workout included three All-Americans in Doug McDermott, C.J. Fair and Aaron Gordon.

The three were joined by Syracuse's Jerami Grant, Louisville's Luke Hancock and Memphis's Geron Johnson.

Celtics director of player personnel Austin Ainge was impressed with all six, but it was Gordon who caught his eye.

"I think Aaron’s biggest strength is his versatility," Ainge said. "I think he’ll be able to guard almost every position on the court, and that’s really his strength. He’s a great defender and he handles the ball pretty well for his size. And he’s going to have to continue his shooting, but he’s a worker and I think he will."

Today was Gordon's fourth pre-draft workout. He has worked out for the Lakers, Jazz, Kings and now Celtics. He has one more planned with the Magic.

The Celtics will host another star-studded workout tomorrow, which will include Kentucky's Julius Randle, Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart, UCLA's Zac LaVine and Michigan's Nik Stauskas

Love spotted in Boston

Via Dirty Water News

It appears that Kevin Love doesn't mind being the center of attention.

All eyes are now on Love after he was spotted in Boston last night, according to Dirty Water News.

He spent last night with a few friends at The Greatest Bar in Boston, and said he was in Boston to "check out the city and see what it's like."

Love's name has been involved in trade rumors with the Celtics.

Move on up

Via NESN.com

So now what?

After the ping pong balls failed to bounce the Celtics' way, Danny Ainge and company are left with a few options: keep the pick, trade the pick for a veteran star (cough cough Kevin Love), or even trade up into the top two or three spots.

Celtics principal owner Wyc Grousbeck told 98.5 The Sports Hub this afternoon that there are "six guys in this draft that Danny [Ainge] loves." He also told the Boston Globe last night that Ainge "will like the guy they get."

If the Celtics decide to stay put, they are going to get a good player. Whether that player is Aaron Gordon, Julius Randle or someone else, the Celtics will certainly be a better team with whoever they pick.

But only slightly better.

And this is exactly why the Celtics should try to move up to one of the top three spots. Drafting from one of those spots can make your team a lot better.

As far fetched and unlikely as it may be, this is the path the Celtics should take.

Free agents are not walking through that door. They never have and they most certainly never will. The Celtics got lucky in 2007 in trading for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, but those kinds of trades don't happen every year.

Draft classes like these don't come around every year.

Joel Embiid is drawing rave reviews, and many feel he can develop into a special big man that a team can build around. Jabari Parker is widely regarded as the most polished player in the draft, and everyone knows the hype surrounding the explosive Andrew Wiggins.

Ainge should do all he can to move up. The three aforementioned players are instant game-changers. They are the type of players a franchise can build their team around. The Celtics need one of those guys.

Now there will be people who will bring up the idea of building around Rajon Rondo. How many teams in the NBA have constructed their teams with the point guard being the focal point? With the exception of the Chicago Bulls -- Derrick Rose is their superstar, but they have still been a playoff team without him -- no one.

Would the Oklahoma City Thunder be as good with only Russell Westbrook and no Kevin Durant? How about the Clippers with Chris Paul? There's no question that having a good point guard is an important part to a successful team, but it's not the end all be all.

And speaking of Rondo, trading up will make the mercurial point guard more apt to stay on with the team beyond this season. The 28-year-old is entering the final year of his deal, and the Celtics have to show Rondo that they are doing all they can to put the best team possible around him. Trading up in the draft demonstrates this effort.

Why would Rondo stay with a team that is in rebuilding mode when he has the chance to sign a max contract and play for a contender?

We've seen with star-laden teams can do in the NBA: win championships (i.e. the Miami Heat). Pairing up stars is the new NBA trend, and it has deemed successful. Just look at the Celtics, the Heat, the Spurs. What all these teams have in common is that they each have a core of star players. Not just one star. Multiple. The more star players on your team, the better you are. I would hope that goes without saying.

Pairing Rondo with a Wiggins, Parker or Embiid would make for a lethal combination. Add in Jared Sullinger, Avery Bradley and another piece or two and you are right in the thick of things in the Eastern Conference.

Everyone thought trading for Garnett would be a long shot, but Ainge pulled that off.

Celtics fans better hope Ainge has some more magic in him.

Celtics get sixth pick

Once again, the luck of the Irish was not on the Celtics' side.

They will have the sixth pick in the upcoming draft.

The last time the C's were in the lottery, they got the fifth pick.

The C's still have never had a number one overall pick.

Breaking down the NBA Lottery

Via AP

The first domino of the offseason falls tonight.

As you all may know by now, the Celtics have a 10.3% chance to win tonight's NBA Draft Lottery and a 33.4% chance to land a top-three pick.

Where the Celtics land will have a lot to do with how Danny Ainge operates going forward.

If Boston lands outside the top five, they will most likely keep the pick and draft a player.

If the C's earn a top-three pick, then they're in business.

They could either pick a player from that spot or use the pick as a trade chip. The three players projected to go in the first three picks are Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, and Joel Embiid. Many believe these three are cornerstones that franchises can build around.

The Celtics could even trade this pick -- cough, Kevin Love, cough -- for a superstar like they did so famously back in 2007.

A lot could happen between now and June 26, which is when the NBA Draft takes place.

But it all starts tonight.

Report: Celtics willing to offer first rounder for Love

With the NBA Draft Lottery just two days away, the rumor mill is beginning to churn.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, the Celtics are one of four teams willing to trade a 2014 first round draft pick in a deal for Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Kevin Love.

Love has made it clear to the Timberwolves that he intends on becoming an unrestricted free agent after this upcoming season by utilizing his Early Termination Option (ETO). He also has no interest in signing a contract extension.

ESPN.com is reporting that the Golden State Warriors and the Chicago Bulls are likely the front-runners to make a deal for Love.

Boston certainly has the assets to acquire Love, but signing him is another story. Love is almost certainly going to demand a max-contract in the 5-year, $100 million dollar neighborhood. 

Boston can certainly make that happen, as they only have five players under contract beyond this season, with Jeff Green holding a player option and both Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk with team options. 

The first domino that should fall is Rajon Rondo. Rondo has one year remaining on his deal, and Rondo has expressed interest in staying with the Celtics. 

However, Rondo will want to get paid. His last contract was a very team friendly five-year, $55 million dollar deal before the 2010-2011 season. 

The following point guards made more money in 2013-2014 than Rondo: Chris Paul ($21.4 million), Deron Williams ($19.7 million), Derrick Rose ($18.8 million), Russell Westbrook ($15.7 million), Tony Parker ($12.5 million), and Ty Lawson ($12 million). 

Rondo certainly deserves to be paid among the upper echelon of point guards. He also knows that if he wants to remain with the Celtics and have a chance to win a championship, he cannot afford to sign a max deal. He knows he needs help.

Game 75 Preview: Celtics at Wizards

Via Getty Images

The final month of the regular season starts tonight, and for the Celtics, that means a month closer to the NBA Draft Lottery.

The Celtics (23-51) travel to the nation's capital to take on the Washington Wizards (38-36).

The C's have lost five straight. They've lost 10 of their last 11 games. To say they are in dire need of a win is an understatement.

Avery Bradley hopes to play tonight after leaving Monday's game with a sore Achilles.

The Wizards have won two of their last three games, including a win against the second-seeded Indiana Pacers.

The Wizards will not have their starting center, Nene, who is dealing with a left knee sprain.

This is the third of four meetings between these two teams. They have split the first two games.

Projected lineups:

Celtics:
Rajon Rondo
Avery Bradley
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Kris Humphries

Wizards:
John Wall
Bradley Beal
Trevor Ariza
Trevor Booker
Marcin Gortat

Keys to the game:

1. Second chances: The Celtics have been very good on the offensive glass all year long. They have taken advantage of all the second chances they've gotten on the offensive end. That needs to continue tonight in order for them to get off the schneid.

2. Rondo vs. Wall: For the first time this season, the Rajon Rondo-John Wall matchup will take place. This should be quite the show. Rondo usually steps his game up against superior opponents. I expect a big game from Rondo tonight.

Game 72 Preview: Celtics at Raptors

Via the Canadian Press

The Celtics (23-48) have a chance to player spoiler tonight.

With their victory Wednesday night in Boston, the Raptors (40-31) have a clinch to clinch a playoff berth tonight.

The C's will look to hold off any celebrations for their divisional foe for at least a few days.

Toronto snapped an 11-game losing streak in Boston on Wednesday. 

Boston will look to split the season series with the Raptors tonight.

Projected lineups:

Celtics:
Rajon Rondo
Avery Bradley
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Kris Humphries

Raptors:
Kyle Lowry
DeMar DeRozan
Terrence Ross
Amir Johnson
Jonas Valanciunas

Keys to the game:

1. Contain the starting five: As I highlighted in Wednesday's game recap, Toronto's starting lineup scored 92 of their 99 points. Toronto's starting five ranks seventh in the league in scoring. Boston cannot let three of Toronto's starters to score over 20 points like they did on Wednesday.

2. One chance, and one chance only: It's easy for a team whose starting center is only 6'9'' to give up a lot of rebounds, points in the paint and second chance points. That's why the Celtics need all hands on deck to make life difficult for Toronto on the glass. The Raptors doubled up the Celtics on points in the paint, 14-7, on Wednesday and out-rebounded the C's, 40-28. Toronto cannot get whatever they want. The C's must put a little pressure down low on the Raptors.

Final: Raptors 99, Celtics 90

The Celtics (23-48) dropped their second straight game tonight as they fell to the Raptors (40-31), 99-90.

The C's trailed virtually all night long, and they trailed by as many as 15 points.

Toronto was led by their starting five, which combined for 92 of the team's 99 points.

Boston barely shot 40% from the floor, and they were unable to find a rhythm on offense all night.

The good:

* He scored only 7 points in the first three quarters, but Jared Sullinger sure did finish strong. Sullinger finished with a game-high 26 points on the night to go along with 8 rebounds off the bench. Once not known for his shooting, Sullinger hit four of his six three-point attempts, including three in a row in the fourth quarter.

* Boston's bench was solid tonight. From Phil Pressey's 12 points to Kelly Olynyk's 7 point, 5 rebound effort, the bench kept the C's in the game.

* Boston had a season-low 9 turnovers tonight.

The bad:

* While Boston's bench performed well, the starters didn't hold up their end of the bargain. They shot 36% from the floor.


Boston concludes its home-and-home with Toronto on Friday night at the Air Canada Centre. Tipoff is 7 pm.

Game 71 Preview: Raptors at Celtics

Via Boston Herald

The Celtics (23-47) begin the first of a home-and-home with the Toronto Raptors (39-31) tonight at the TD Garden.

The Raptors, who lead the Atlantic Division by a game and a half over the Brooklyn Nets, have been a pleasant surprise in the Eastern Conference. They sit a half game behind the Chicago Bulls for third place in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto has dropped four of its last six, including a tough loss last night to the Cleveland Cavaliers by the final of 102-100.

The Celtics are back in action for the first time since they fell to the Nets last Friday, 114-98.

Projected lineups:

Raptors:
Kyle Lowry
DeMar DeRozan
Terrence Ross
Amir Johnson
Jonas Valanciunas

Celtics:
Rajon Rondo
Avery Bradley
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Kris Humphries

Keys to the game:

1. Lowry vs. Rondo: Rajon Rondo needs to own this matchup with Kyle Lowry. Lowry is having a terrific season. He is averaging 17.6 points, 7.8 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 70 games this season. Rondo is continuing to regain his explosiveness, and he is going to need every ounce of it to stop Lowry tonight.

2. The three: Nearly a quarter of Toronto's offense comes from three-point land. The Celtics have been very good all season at defending the three, boasting the fourth best three-point defense in the NBA. They're going to need to step up defensively and limit Toronto's effectiveness from long distance.