Prognosis on Thomas’ hip improves
SALT LAKE CITY — Isaiah Thomas’ irksome right hip, with a torn labrum that has forced him to rest all summer beyond flying to Boston for Sunday’s pitch meeting with free agent Gordon Hayward, may be in better shape than previously thought.
Brad Stevens said last night that he has heard surgery is now considered unlikely, though the Celtics coach added that he should not be confused with a doctor.
“Probably the wrong guy to ask, (but) everything I’ve been told is that — everybody that I have talked to said it looked unlikely that they would need to,” Stevens, on hand for summer league play, said. “But I don’t want to speak in absolutes. I’m not a doctor, just a coach.”
Based purely on the eyeball test, though, Stevens liked what he saw Sunday from Thomas. It was good enough to indicate his point guard will be ready for the start of training camp.
“He was great. We didn’t run around at all,” Stevens said. “He’s got a follow-up with his doctor that he’s been working closely with either next week or 10 days out from now and then determine next step. But every indication is he feels good and he’ll be ready to go.”
Fultz plays it cool
A less self-assured player might have made a bigger deal out of it, but Philadelphia 76ers rookie Markelle Fultz, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft after the Celtics traded out of the top spot, was decidedly low-key about the teams meeting in the summer league opener.
When C’s team president Danny Ainge moved down to the No. 3 pick, thus displaying the team’s preference for Jayson Tatum, Fultz just shrugged it off.
Fultz had the same reaction yesterday.
“The fact it’s the Celtics — I mean, it’s pretty cool, because of the trade and stuff,” Fultz said.
The point guard sounded perfectly happy with the team that chose him for a number of reasons, development included. Development, of course, comes a little easier with a larger role and more minutes.
“You can say that,” he said. “To me anywhere I went, I would have gave my all. Coming here, that’s what I’m going to do. I feel like I fit in great. So it’s all going to be good.”
Though his last second baseline drive was blocked by Jaylen Brown, preserving the Celtics’ 89-88 summer league win, Fultz finished with 17 points in a relatively smooth performance despite 6-for-16 shooting. He also had three blocks.
Big departures
Stevens had to bid adieu to two of his veterans in recent days, after forward Amir Johnson agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal with Philadelphia. The Celtics are in need of salary-cap space — moreso if Hayward decides to sign with the C’s — and that led to the departures of Johnson and Tyler Zeller.
A conversation between Stevens and 76ers coaches reinforced what they already knew: Johnson will have a strong veteran influence on their younger players.
“I was talking with some of Philly’s staff today. I don’t know what I’m allowed to say about guys but I’ll speak about Amir from the standpoint of we all know here what Amir meant to us as a team, what kind of a guy he is,” said Stevens, wary of saying too much because of the NBA’s contracts moratorium. “I’ve talked to him quite a few times over the last few days and I won’t speak in absolutes because I don’t know if I’m allowed to. But, obviously, we loved having Amir here.”
Zeller was waived the day his $8 million for next season would have become guaranteed. There was a sentimental tug on Stevens, who has Zeller since the center’s high school days in Indiana.
“Just like Amir, total stud of a teammate, guy you want around, everyday worker,” Stevens said. “Like anybody else, wants to plays but never let it affect how he impacted his teammates. We were really lucky to have him here for the time we did.”