IT gives shout-out to Griffin
Guard begins to recruit as plot to get George thickens
CELTICS NOTEBOOK
The biggest offseason trade of 2017 (so far) hadn’t even been announced yet, free agency was still four days away, and Isaiah Thomas had already launched a fresh social media blitz.
Yesterday’s trade of Chris Paul to Houston for a chorus line of role players and a 2018 firstround draft pick turned the Celtics guard’s thoughts immediately to another Clippers free agent and secondary Celtics target — power forward Blake Griffin.
Thomas went on Instagram to post the following caption next to a group photo of the now-former Clippers big three — Paul, Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.
“isaiahthomas Hellavu run. Now Blake come over to Boston lol”
Thomas went on to engage in an Instagram battle with Indiana’s Lance Stephenson regarding the imminent departure of Paul George, who has informed the Pacers he will leave next summer and has been the subject of much trade talk, including in the Hub.
Multiple reports saying the Rockets were attempting to follow up the Paul trade with another for George were of keen interest in the Celtics offices, where Danny Ainge and his staff have been working on a deal for the Pacers star since draft night.
The Celtics and Rockets appear to have something else in common. Both are willing to take the risk that George leaves for free agency, and most likely his hometown Lakers, next summer.
Up until now the Celtics have been unwilling to part with their best assets — Brooklyn’s 2018 first-round pick, and a 2018 Lakers first-rounder (acquired from Philadelphia) that will convert to a 2019 Sacramento first-rounder if the LA pick doesn’t fall in the 2-5 range.
The Clippers’ sudden implosion considered, the Celtics’ rights to that team’s 2019 first-round pick just increased in value as well.
But the Rockets, who don’t have a pick to offer as a result of the Paul trade, don’t have the same level of assets to offer as Ainge, who can meet Indiana general manager Kevin Pritchard’s requirement for starting quality talent with players like Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder. At least one of those two is expected to be part of any George trade.
And Ainge, rich in picks, certainly has future assets to offer as well. But as of last night it was unclear whether Houston’s sudden interest has accelerated the Celtics’ own plan. Due to salary cap considerations, Ainge would prefer to create space and sign his primary target, Utah’s Gordon Hayward, or Griffin
before finalizing a trade for George. Pritchard, though, has expressed a desire to exercise patience, an approach that would seem to benefit the Celtics’ preferred order of business, though it also gives Houston GM Darryl Morey time to collect more assets.
Pritchard recently told a reporter that the sight of George in a Pacers uniform on opening night is still possible.
Low profile for Hayward
Hayward’s approach to free agency will be decidedly different from the travelogue compiled by the Celtics last July, when Ainge led a delegation to Atlanta for a July 3 meeting with Al Horford, followed by a true free agency circus event, a meeting with Kevin Durant in the Hamptons that featured Tom Brady as the guest recruiter.
A source with knowledge of Hayward’s plans said the Utah forward plans to travel to each city he is considering, with Boston and Miami thought to be his two first stops.
But Hayward reportedly also wants to complete business quickly, possibly within the first week of free agency.
Welcome wagon
Thomas also filled his role as Celtics ambassador in another way, reaching out to the Celtics rookies on draft night.
No one was more surprised than Semi Ojeleye, the SMU forward the Celtics drafted with the 37th pick.
“Isaiah texted me on draft night, said welcome to the team, congratulations, now let’s go to work,” Ojeleye said after making an appearance with his fellow rookies yesterday at the Ohrenberger School in West Roxbury, where the team unveiled a new “Music Zone,” funded by a Players Choice grant.
“Yes, I was (surprised),” said Ojeleye. “He didn’t have to do that, so that was big time.”
Jayson Tatum received a similar message.
“He just congratulated me on being drafted, told me he was excited for me to be a part of the team,” said the former Duke forward, the third pick in the draft. “He said to be ready to work. I’m excited because he’s one of the best players in the NBA, somebody I’ve watched for a long time. It’s crazy we’re going to be teammates.”
Zizic ready
The Celtics delayed the release of their official summer league roster yesterday due to some paper work issues involving rookie center Ante Zizic.
Details remained to be worked out on ending the 7-foot Croatian’s contract with the Turkish club Darussafaka Dogus. But Zizic is present and ready to compete after arriving in Boston this week.