Danny Ainge: New forward Perry Jones a 'much different' player than a lot of other Boston Celtics

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Danny Ainge: New forward Perry Jones a 'much different' player than a lot of other Boston Celtics





The Celtics have reportedly agreed to acquire Perry Jones from the Oklahoma City Thunder. (AP photo)

Print Email Jay King | mjking@masslive.com By Jay King | mjking@masslive.com


on July 14, 2015 at 10:05 PM






LAS VEGAS -- Once again, roster flexibility allowed the Boston Celtics to acquire a young player for next to nothing.

After acquiring Perry Jones, a second-round pick and cash from the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, team president of basketball operations Danny Ainge likened the trade to the deal that netted Tyler Zeller and a first-round pick last season.

"This is a similar situation to that," Ainge said after Boston's 101-69 summer league win at UNLV.

Like the Cleveland Cavaliers when they moved Zeller last season, the Thunder were looking to dump salary. The Celtics took advantage, grabbing what is essentially a free look at an intriguing young wing.

"The benefits (of cap space) are being able to use the cap space in a variety of ways," Ainge said, "and one of them is to acquire young talents and to acquire picks by taking on contracts."

Jones, 23, averaged 4.3 points and 1.8 rebounds over 43 appearances last season. He has not established himself as a consistent contributor, but showed flashes of his potential at the beginning of last season. At 6-foot-11, 235 pounds, he owns a physical tool box unlike anyone else's on the Celtics roster.

"Oklahoma City has a great deal of depth on their frontcourt," Ainge said. "We've watched him play and followed him in his college career. He's a terrific athlete. He's someone whose game is much different than a lot of the guys we have under contract right now, so we'll see how he fits in with our system."

Back in 2012, Jones was drafted six spots after the Celtics selected Fab Melo at No. 22. Ainge stopped shy of saying he almost took Jones, but said, "We gave him consideration for sure."

A couple of other notes from Ainge's short chat:

1. Ainge confirmed a report that no decision has been made yet on Phil Pressey's contract. The guard's deal becomes fully guaranteed for the season if he stays on the roster through Wednesday. (MY NOTE: Pressey has since been waived)

2. Contract negotiations are ongoing this week for second-round pick Jordan Mickey, but Ainge said no agreement has been reached yet.



bob


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Once again, my mantra is that virtually every recent acquisition by Danny has represented a major influx of athleticism. (I'll be happy to let David Lee be a welcome exception.) The guard positions have been seriously upgraded in that regard. Now it's the PF position. Let's see what happens to the SF position while we all wait for the REALLY BIG foot to drop on the center position.

Sam