The Boston Celtics were fading fast Tuesday as a possible next destination for soon-to-be free agent point guard Damon Stoudamire, ESPN.com has learned.
Stoudamire
Stoudamire, who would like to decide Wednesday where he'll spend the rest of the season, was expected to speak by telephone Tuesday with San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com.
The Toronto Raptors also remained in the picture, the source said.
Although Stoudamire would seem to be the perfect fit for a Boston team needing an experienced playmaker behind second-year point guard Rajon Rondo, Celtics president Danny Ainge has expressed misgivings about tinkering with his team's chemistry.
Stoudamire has apparently taken that as a signal that the Celtics are not as interested in him as he had believed just a few days ago.
In San Antonio, Stoudamire would supplant Jacque Vaughn as a backup behind Tony Parker. In Phoenix, he would play behind Steve Nash and allow the Suns to move Leandro Barbosa to shooting guard from point guard when Nash is on the bench, and in Toronto he would give the Raptors some insurance behind Jose Calderon in case T.J. Ford is unable to return this season from his neck injury.
Stoudamire will be free to sign with any NBA team after he clears waivers at 6 p.m. ET Wednesday.
Chris Sheridan covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.
Source: Stoudamire to talk with Spurs, Suns as Celtics fade
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Source: Stoudamire to talk with Spurs, Suns as Celtics fade
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hiphop1
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Source: Stoudamire to talk with Spurs, Suns as Celtics fade
Free your mind and your a** will follow
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darrendaye
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Shweet. Not that I was down on Stoudamire, per se, but, glad Ainge is not being reactionary here and appears to be in a more calculating mindframe. I do love executives who act boldly and take chances. Not scooping in on every bird-in-hand option available doesn't mean the guy doesn't have a contingency plan. It doesn't mean that he does either. But, after the offseason that he had, I think it's high time people start giving him the benefit of the doubt that he may know what he's doing. Until concrete evidence suggests otherwise.
Baylor is Brat.
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hiphop1
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darrendaye wrote:Shweet. Not that I was down on Stoudamire, per se, but, glad Ainge is not being reactionary here and appears to be in a more calculating mindframe. I do love executives who act boldly and take chances. Not scooping in on every bird-in-hand option available doesn't mean the guy doesn't have a contingency plan. It doesn't mean that he does either. But, after the offseason that he had, I think it's high time people start giving him the benefit of the doubt that he may know what he's doing. Until concrete evidence suggests otherwise.
I agree.
Free your mind and your a** will follow
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Rocky5000
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The Spurs and the suns have been together longer. Maybe they're not as concerned about chemistry issues as the Celtics are....Or maybe Sam I Am is on his way.
On other pg fronts, the Spurs, Cavs, and Charlotte amongst others are being rumored to be actively pursuing Boykins. He is supposed to join a team by next week.
Other teams seem to be put a lot more importance on backup pgs than the Celtics do.
On other pg fronts, the Spurs, Cavs, and Charlotte amongst others are being rumored to be actively pursuing Boykins. He is supposed to join a team by next week.
Other teams seem to be put a lot more importance on backup pgs than the Celtics do.
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Celts17Pride
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The message that can be read by Boston's lack of interest in Stoudamire is that as far as Ainge is concerned it's Cassell or nobody and I agree.
The probability Cassell is bought out is very small but he is a difference maker. The Celtics have great chemistry going right now with the combination of Rondo, House, TA and to a lesser extent Pruitt. The Celtics are 35-8.
Bringing in the likes of Stoudamire, Boykins etc. is not going to make the Celtics better and could destroy roles and chemistry that they have going right now. It's not worth it.
Ainge is basically saying if Cassell is bought out and wants to join the Celtics then he is welcome otherwise Ainge will go with what he has for the rest of the season. I agree.
The probability Cassell is bought out is very small but he is a difference maker. The Celtics have great chemistry going right now with the combination of Rondo, House, TA and to a lesser extent Pruitt. The Celtics are 35-8.
Bringing in the likes of Stoudamire, Boykins etc. is not going to make the Celtics better and could destroy roles and chemistry that they have going right now. It's not worth it.
Ainge is basically saying if Cassell is bought out and wants to join the Celtics then he is welcome otherwise Ainge will go with what he has for the rest of the season. I agree.
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BillessuR6
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nasbahceltic
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I think the writing was on the wall given Ainge's "we don't just want a pg we want the right pg" talk in the herald the other day.
I think its pretty much Sam or bust, but I also think there's a better chance that Sam becomes available to us than most think. We've kept this roster spot available all year with the intention of making a move like this and I find it unlikely that Ainge is just gonna let it go to waste if the opportunity presents itself.
I think its pretty much Sam or bust, but I also think there's a better chance that Sam becomes available to us than most think. We've kept this roster spot available all year with the intention of making a move like this and I find it unlikely that Ainge is just gonna let it go to waste if the opportunity presents itself.
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reggielewis
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or danny has someone else in mind that we are not thinking of. u never know what about a guy like Kevin Ollie? He is not getting min in philly behind miller and louis williams. I think he would be a decent backup. I think Danny either knows something is brewing that hasnt hit "ESPN" yet or he really really really thinks that Eddie and Tony can get it done. Now I beg to differ but on the other hand he may be right. Eddie problem is what? bringing the ball up the cort but once he is there he is fine. Tonys problem is that he tries to go too fast sometimes but as he showed last night, when he slows down he is a really solid player.
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sully00
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Looking at it from the objective standpoint and not just as a fan. Stoudamire had two marks against him that may have made it a problem from the jump.
First it is tough to add a non defender to the best defensive team in the league. Doc historically has not been a fan of short guards and when he has used them it hasn't gone well.
With that to start Damon is a former All Star who has struggled to adjust to a bench role already. While he isn't looking to be a problem he is looking to play and have a role and that is simply not something Boston can promise. They are looking for insurance at the moment, while San Antonio is offering a role and presently a starting job.
I want some help at the spot so I wanted this done but I can see why Ainge and Doc don't want to rush into anything. Beyond that if they don't love Damon and they know other guys will come free the Spurs are kind of out of the market now.
First it is tough to add a non defender to the best defensive team in the league. Doc historically has not been a fan of short guards and when he has used them it hasn't gone well.
With that to start Damon is a former All Star who has struggled to adjust to a bench role already. While he isn't looking to be a problem he is looking to play and have a role and that is simply not something Boston can promise. They are looking for insurance at the moment, while San Antonio is offering a role and presently a starting job.
I want some help at the spot so I wanted this done but I can see why Ainge and Doc don't want to rush into anything. Beyond that if they don't love Damon and they know other guys will come free the Spurs are kind of out of the market now.