What's next for the Boston Celtics as the first weekend of the 2015 NBA free agency period draws to a close? Find out in our Celtics Free Agency Rumors Roundup For July 5th.
Celtics passed on Tobias Harris?
The Orlando Magic held on to a key part of their future plans in the first days of free agency, re-signing 22-year-old forward Tobias Harris to a massive four-year, $64 million deal.
The young restricted free agent had been linked to big-market clubs such as the Lakers and Knicks prior to agreeing with the Magic, and it appears the Celtics were also considering pulling the trigger on him.
According to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, the "Celtics seriously considered offer sheet for Tobias Harris, but Ainge was wary of scraping up assets only to have (the) Magic match."
Harris had a breakout 2014-15 season for Orlando, averaging 17.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in 34.8 minutes per game.
Marcus Smart Very Happy About Jae Crowder Re-Signing
The Celtics finished up the first day of NBA free agency on Wednesday with one of the underrated deals of a whirlwind 24 hours, re-signing versatile forward Jae Crowder to a five-year, $35 million deal.
Crowder was acquired in December as part of the Rajon Rondo trade, and quickly became a favorite of the coaching staff, the fans, and the players.
“I know this organization is happy to have him back," Marcus Smart said on Friday. "I know I am.”
Crowder averaged 9.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game during his first half-year in Boston in 2014-15.
Trade Coming After Free Agency?
Boston could very well miss on the top level of free agents on this year's open market, but what about their stockpile of picks and trade assets?
Brian Robb of Bleacher Report gives his take on where the Celtics could stand after the free agency waves die down:
"At this stage, Boston’s list of trade chips is long, but the actual value of those pieces remains questionable at best. The Celtics’ collection of future first-round draft picks from the Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves is extensive, but none is guaranteed to land in the lottery. The team’s young core of talent has some promise, but outside of potentially Smart, no one projects to be a player you can build a franchise around."
Regardless, there is still plenty of ammunition on hand for the Celtics to make a run at a franchise building block via trade -- a fact that gives the Celtics front office hope as marquee names land elsewhere on the NBA free agency docket.
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