JUST IN - Reports: Celtics close to 3-year deal with Jason Terry

REPORT: C'S 'REACH AGREEMENT' WITH TERRY

By: Paul Flannery

Yahoo's Marc Spears has the scoop that the Celtics have reached an agreement with free agent Jason Terry from the Mavericks for what would likely be the full mid-level exception. Spears notes the deal will be for three years. Signings can't be official until July 11 when the league completes its audit, so all agreements are verbal.

Terry will be 35 when the season starts, but he he's been a durable, and effective player throughout his 13-year career. He's missed just 16 games over the past five seasons and is a proven playoff performer.

Despite shooting 43 percent from the floor last season, Terry still averaged 15.1 points per page off the Mavericks' bench and he knocked down 38 percent of his 3-pointers. If the Celtics use the full mid-level exception -- starting at $5 million annually -- they would have to stay below the luxury tax "apron" of $74 million in total contracts.

Terry would help address scoring for the reserve unit, which was a major concern, and also be able to play the point in support of Rajon Rondo. Celtics' guard Ray Allen is meeting with Miami and the Clippers.
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Posted by Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff July 3, 2012 02:41 PM

The Celtics and free agent guard Jason Terry are in the final discussions on a three-year deal that would bring Terry to Boston, according to multiple reports.

Yahoo! Sports' Marc Spears first reported that Terry and the Celtics were close to a deal. According to Spears' report, the deal will pay Terry the Celtics' mid-level exception. Spears also reports that the Celtics would like to sign both Terry and Ray Allen despite the two players having similar roles as shooters.

One caveat to all this is that no deal is done. Free agents can't be signed until the end of the NBA's moratorium on July 11. ESPN's Marc Stein confirmed the Yahoo! report but added a source told him Terry could go back to the Mavericks and use his deal with Boston as leverage.

Terry averaged 15.1 points and 3.6 assists for the Mavericks last season. As Dallas' sixth man, Terry played 31 minutes per game off the bench. He is 34.
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Celtics close to agreement with Jason Terry

By Mark Murphy - BOSTON HERALD

The Celtics [team stats] may still have interest in re-signing Ray Allen, but they are on the verge of some interesting insurance at the shooting guard spot.

According to a source, the team has made great progress toward an agreement over the last hour in discussions with Jason Terry, the former Mavericks shooting guard and the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year during the 2008-09 season. Terry has been known over the years as a wiry defender and capable transition player. His spot-up style would work nicely with Rajon Rondo [stats]’s drive-and-dish game.

The contract would be the mid-level deal of $5 million for the first year.

But the source stressed that the Celtics remain interested in Allen, who has already talked with officials from Memphis and Minnesota this week, and plans to meet with Miami on Thursday and the Clippers on Friday.

The possible combination of Terry and Allen would give the Celtics a deadly mixture from downtown, though neither would likely start ahead of Avery Bradley.

There would also be the question of playing time. Allen, who looms as a likely starter for the Clippers, appears to want a more prominent role than the way Doc Rivers’ rotation may be unfolding.

Terry’s emergence as a Celtic also calls into question the team’s commitment to Mickael Pietrus, who is still waiting for a call from the team.

According to Pietrus’ agent, Bill McCandless, the tough-defending swingman has, in the meantime, been contacted by four other teams, including one with stronger interest than the others. Pietrus has talked directly with officials from two of those teams, including one coach.

A year ago, Terry averaged 15.1 points per game while shooting 43 percent for the field in 63 games for the Mavericks.

In his 13-year career, Terry is averaging 16.1 points and 4.7 assists per game. He is a career 44.8 percent shooter. He also shoots 85 percent from the line.

112288

Instant offense off the bench....with nerves of steel.

Clearly this is both an upgrade on last year and insurance against Ray leaving.

How many times during the year our bench came in, played good defense yet surrendered the lead because we could not score.

This is a pure upgrade and eliminates scoring droughts.

112288

Just saw the report on ESPN as well.

On the down side we're not getting younger.

On the up side maybe our player's Social Security checks can get kicked in to help offset the luxury tax.

Green, bass, allen may leave now Terry is on board. Steamer had am offer but may want more. May need to let him walk too. But would offer 1.5 -2 mill max for him.

If Allen walks, opens the door for Moore.

Dboss

Hi,
That's a good news.
The only thing I'm wondering is how's his ball handling and distribution skills?
Can he serve as RR backup?

AK

Moore if signed should be given a shot at winning an active bench position. The kid can shoot and he has good size at 6'5". Terry is only 6'2" but I like his high energy!

112288

Hi,
The latest from Mark Spears - JT has agreed to go to Boston.

AK

3D Denis Scott on the NBA channel said it is an unbelievable signing for the Celtics!

112288

Ray out, Terry in.

Kind of an even deal there.

What else is brewing?

Anyone we might sign below the basketball equivalent age of Methuselah?

Hi,
Now, that the first step has been made in the back, I wonder when and what steps will be made in the front. Back- and front-court, that is.
So far, we have only KG (I don't count draft picks and JJJ). But July is still young. DA has time before training camp. Hope he makes wise choices.

Meanwhile, Happy 4th of July, everyone!

AK

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!

112288

Hi,
I agree with bob - Stiemsma is priority #1. Unless, of course, DA can find another 5 of the same or better level. I don't think there are many at the same price level.
I wonder what Minni offered or is going to offer to him and, how high DA is willing to go.

Of the same importance, IMO, is to sign JG. I'm kind of worry: it's been 4 days and nothing's heard about him. I saw a note that Chris Wilcox is cleared to play but I haven't seen or missed the same about JG. Hope he is.

AK

Saw Danny interviewed last night. He said he can't wait to see how Sully does at the 5! Then they showed Sully saying he would play anywhere they wanted him and would love to learn the 5 position. Danny says the 4 and 5 are not that different.

Danny also said flat out that Jeff Green is coming back. It sounded like a done deal mainly because Green wants to be a Celtic.

The other interesting tidbit had to do with Bradley, who may not be back until December and has the reporters calling him injury-prone. Is that the real reason for the Terry signing?

These reports about players health are becoming over the top.

The kid played hard nose basketball and was hit in a physical game first on a pick and then under the basket. That started the instability in his shoulder.

So what else is new if you play physical basketball. You want some cream puff staying out in the perimeter?

Give me a break with the media!

112288

Don't get me started with the media, please. My favorite media failure is the steroids scandal. How in damnation did they miss that? Mark McGuire goes from 10 home runs a year to 60 and none of them even raised the question. I say we need more female reporters!!!

In this case, though, they seem to have forgotten that Bradley hurt his second shoulder trying to play through the pain of the first. He had the knee thing out of college, so he's suspect in their blind eyes. Actually, it's indicative of how petty their outlook is.

There was no mention that he's a warrior, a front line fighter. Doc says, "Go cover Lebron," and Bradley says, "I'll tellya what flavor later."

They used to dismiss him because he supposedly couldn't score. Then he showed what speed and agility can do if you add intelligence, court sense and desire. He doesn't fit their molds so he scares them. When you look back, however, so many Celtics didn't fit the mold. Bradley's in good company.

Oh, they also didn't mention that the reason for the late return is because doctors didn't want him, with both shoulders operated on, to be denied the use of both hands at the same time. Wouldn't ya luv to know how Bradley felt about it. Mr. Gungho. Go ahead, docs. It's only a scartch.

I've always been mystified by what "fit the mold" really means. Does it mean being a multi-tool player? Does it mean becoming a star? Does it mean filling a certain need?

I believe the more appropriate term for a Celtics player is ability to fill a certain role. Of course, it's nice for every player to have multiple talents, but Celtics players have tended to emphasize one main attribute from the days of Cousy (playmaker) to Russell (dominating the other team with rebounding and defense) to Cowens (out-energizing the other team with feistiness and determination) to Bird (scoring) to KG (tenacious defense) to Pierce (slasher, now changing to perimeter threat).

I'd be ecstatic if Sullinger can fill the Cowens role. It would be great if Melo (in time) can approach the primary KG role.

Sam