Good in Green?

By Chris Forsberg | @ESPNForsberg | Email

Alexis Ajinca

Could Alexis Ajinca's time in Maine help him land in Boston?
Continuing our offseason look at players that could be of interest to the Boston Celtics once a new collective bargaining agreement is achieved with a look at center Alexis Ajinca:

The skinny: A former first-round pick of the Charlotte Bobcats (20th overall in 2008 draft), the 7-foot-2 Ajinca has only appeared in 71 games during three NBA seasons, logging more time in the NBA Development League than on NBA courts. Ajinca was part of the deal that landed Tyson Chandler in Dallas last summer (Matt Carroll, Erick Dampier, Eduardo Najera, and cash coming back to Charlotte), but appeared in only 10 games for the soon-to-be world champs and was dealt to Toronto in January.

2010-11 season: After logging a mere 75 minutes of floor time in Dallas, Ajinca posted career highs in Toronto with 4.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 11 minutes per game over 24 appearances. He earned $1.5 million in the third year of his rookie scale contract.

Why it makes sense: The Celtics need young, cheap bodies at the center position and the 23-year-old Ajinca fits both categories. In a way, Ajinca could fill the gap left when Semih Erden was traded away, a big man with upside who could be thrust into a larger role when injuries crop up. Would the Celtics be interested? Consider this: While on assignment from the Bobcats, Ajinca appeared in 22 games with the Maine Red Claws during the 2009-10 season, averaging 14.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game. His coach at that time was Austin Ainge, now Boston's director of player personnel (and son of president of basketball operations, Danny Ainge). That glimpse gives Boston a little inside knowledge into whether Ajinca could be a role player on this team.

Why it doesn't make sense: Ajinca's limited playing time in Dallas suggests an inability to carve a role on a veteran squad. Even in Toronto, with increased minutes in the season's final month, Ajinca still only averaged 15 minutes per game in seven April appearances, chipping in 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks. Ajinca likes the 3-point shot, with 25 percent of his shots coming behind the arc, and while Boston does like bigs that can stretch the floor, he might not be the in-the-trenches center Boston needs.

Bottom line: The Celtics have an idea of Ajinca's potential and if that glimpse in Maine suggested he can add depth at the end of the bench, they could emerge as a suitor. The wild card here: Will the French national take his game back overseas in a lockout?

Good in Green? Anthony Parker
July, 11, 2011

By Chris Forsberg | @ESPNForsberg | Email

Would Anthony Parker look good in green next season?
Continuing our offseason look at players that could be of interest to the Boston Celtics once a new collective bargaining agreement is achieved with a look at guard/forward Anthony Parker:

The skinny: Parker, a 6-foot-6 swingman, is a sneaky 36 years old, boasting only eight seasons of NBA experience. But consider this: The two other players involved in the deal that sent the Lakers' first-round pick to New Jersey were former Celtic Joe Kleine (who is six months shy of his 50th birthday) and George McCloud (whose been out of the league for nearly a decade). The 21st overall pick in the 1997 draft, Parker soon after got flipped to Philadelphia in a seven-player trade that included Keith Van Horn. Parker soon bolted overseas after three disappointing NBA seasons (he appeared in only 55 games) and spent six seasons in Israel and Italy before returning stateside for the 2006-07 campaign. Since then, he's established himself as one of the league's top 3-point shooters and perimeter defenders.

2010-11 season: In 72 appearances (65 starts), Parker averaged 8.3 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists over 29 minutes per contest with Cleveland. His shooting dipped, however, and Parker shot 39.9 percent from the floor and 37.9 percent beyond the arc (the lowest marks since returning to the NBA for a player that has shot 44.5 percent from the field and 40.9 percent beyond the arc for his career). Parker earned $2.9 million in the final year of a two-year, $5.5 million pact with the Cavaliers.

Why it makes sense: The Celtics had their eyes on Parker at the trade deadline last year, but settled for sending rookies Semih Erden and Luke Harangody to Cleveland in exchange for a future second-round draft pick (and instead obtained a much-needed swingman from Oklahoma City in Jeff Green). Parker has potential to fill two of the three needs Doc Rivers mentioned this offseason in shooting and defense. Parker also has three seasons worth of playoff experience, where he has thrived in limited action (22 games) for Toronto and Cleveland.

Why it doesn't make sense: The question is whether Parker can maintain his production while set to turn 37 in December (which would make him older than any member of Boston's Big Three). His defensive rating wasn't very glitzy last season (113 points per 100 possessions), but that might have simply been a reflection of Cleveland's struggles as a whole (a year before, with LeBron James, it was at 107).

Bottom line: The Celtics need someone that can provide the sort of play that Tony Allen and James Posey provided as wings off the bench. Parker's age suggests his next team shouldn't expect too much, but he's got the experience that makes him an intriguing option, especially if available at a low price.

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