Report: Celtics serious suitors for Lee

CSNE

A. Sherrod Blakely

CSNNE.com Celtics Insider A. Sherrod Blakely believes that if the Celtics were to acquire Courtney Lee, it would need to be through a sign and trade, which he finds unlikely.

WINTER PARK, Fla. — The Celtics continue to move forward in the wake of being spurned by Ray Allen. Now they've set their sights on unrestricted free agent Courtney Lee.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers met with Lee on Saturday night, according to an ESPN.com report.

Lee is steadily gaining steam as a highly sought-after player now that Allen -- arguably the top free agent shooting guard this summer -- has committed to play for the Miami Heat.

A first-round pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic, the 6-foot-5 guard/forward has played for three different teams (Orlando, New Jersey and Houston) in his four NBA seasons despite establishing himself as a solid defender and consistent scorer.

In his four NBA seasons, he has averaged 10 points per game and has shot better than 40 percent on 3s each of the last two seasons.

While the interest is mutual, the Celtics will be hard-pressed to sign the 26-year-old who made $2.2 million last season with the Rockets.

Having already come to terms on deals with their own free agents (Kevin Garnett and Brandon Bass) as well as contracts for Jason Terry and most recently Jeff Green, the C's don't' have the salary cap space needed to sign Lee.

Instead, the Celtics would most likely have to acquire him via sign-and-trade which is something the Rockets have indicated they are open to doing.

The addition of Lee would not only bolster the Celtics' lineup, but also provide them with a better-than-average presence in the backcourt until Avery Bradley (shoulders) returns to the Celtics lineup sometime between the start of training camp and December.

In addition to Lee, the C's are also keeping an eye on Mickael Pietrus, C.J. Miles of Utah and former Celtic Gerald Green as possible additions.

All of the aforementioned players constitute a small pool of talent that a number of teams are focusing their attention on, a grouping that includes the Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks.

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I'm finding the insiders often have no more insight into these trade possibilities than the average fan. There are exceptions, of course.

I say got get Lee, Danny!