BOSTON – The Boston Celtics have an open roster spot.
Brooklyn completed a buyout with Joe Johnson and waived him earlier today. Once he clears waivers in 48 hours, the 34-year-old veteran can sign with any team of his choosing.
And a league source tells CSNNE.com that the six-time all-star is “open to the idea” of joining the Boston Celtics.
However, the same source indicated that the Cleveland Cavaliers are the front-runner due to Johnson’s desire to contribute to a team that’s in the hunt to win an NBA title.
With Boston, the concern centers around how much he would play and to a lesser degree, Boston’s potential to make a deep playoff run.
Regardless, the fact that the Celtics are even among the teams he’s giving some thought to speaks to how this franchise, slowly but surely, is becoming more attractive to players throughout the league.
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens declined to speak about Joe Johnson (and avoid a potential league fine) specifically, but he reiterated what he would like to see Boston do if the Celtics were to fill the 15th roster spot that’s open after waiving David Lee last week who has since signed with the Dallas Mavericks.
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“The biggest thing is, anytime you’re talking about winning in this league right now, versatility is huge,” Stevens said. “Certainly shooting is a big deal. All those things come into play.”
Stevens said Olynyk’s right shoulder injury which will keep him out at least a couple more weeks, may also become a factor in the team’s decision on whether to add a player for that final roster spot.
“It’s something you would have to consider,” Stevens said. “Hopefully he’s not out too long. There’s all kinds of things to go through and look at. But I think when you’re talking about a team like us, if we choose to use or look at that last roster spot, versatility stands out to me.”