Report: Celtics Have Sign-And-Trade For Josh Smith Ready If Team Trades Pierce

by **112288** Tue Jun 25, 2013 6:17 pm

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BOSTON (CBS) – Should the Boston Celtics trade Paul Pierce and receive a trade exception in return, they already have a sign-and-trade package ready to offer the Atlanta Hawks for free agent forward Josh Smith — according to The Sporting News.

The Celtics have until June 30 to decide if they want to pick up Pierce’s option, buy him out for $5 million, or trade him. Since the Celtics are already over the salary cap, they would need to acquire a trade exception in any trade of Pierce in order to pull off a sign-and-trade for Smith.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly two of the teams interested in acquiring Pierce, but the 15-year veteran would prefer to play for a contender.

Smith has been connected to the Celtics in the past, as he was high school teammates with point guard Rajon Rondo. A reunion of the two could pay off big for the Celtics, though with both of their volatile personalities, it could also backfire.

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