Colton Iverson leaves Celtics to again play in Turkey

CSNE

A. SHERROD BLAKLEY


LAS VEGAS – Colton Iverson’s NBA dream will have to wait for at least another season after the 7-foot center signed with Pinar Karsiyaka of the Turkish Basketball League.

Iverson, drafted in the second round of the 2013 draft by Indiana and immediately traded to the Celtics, was supposed to participate in Boston’s summer league teams this month.

However, he left the team before they left for Salt Lake City to pursue playing for a team overseas. The move sense considering the crowded Celtics frontcourt after the C's added Amir Johnson, along with re-signing Jonas Jerebko.

Boston will also re-sign Jae Crowder in addition to trading Gerald Wallace to Golden State for another frontcourt talent, David Lee.

This will be Iverson’s third season playing overseas, all of which have been in the Turkish Basketball League.

Last season, Iverson appeared in 24 Euroleague games (20 starts) and averaged 7.0 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 61.7 percent from the field.

He was looking forward to joining the Celtics summer league for a third straight season, but it became clear heading into summer league play that his chances of landing a roster spot were extremely slim, hence the decision to pursue overseas playing opportunities.

The Celtics have maintained a desire for him to continue improving his game. Both sides agree another season of international play can only bring him another step closer to his dream which is still to someday play in the NBA.

112288

THE CELTICS HAVE BEN DRAGGING THIS KID FOR 3 YEARS...HEY DANNY WILL YOU HAVE THE DECENCY TO JUST LET THE KID GO SO HE CAN SIGN ELSEWHERE!

112288

Good luck, Colton.

Sam

Interesting question for gyso.  How long can an NBA team hold the rights to a player in Colton's situation?

Sam

112288,

I don't really see that the Celtics have been 'dragging' this kid anywhere. They, and he, have been waiting for him to improve enough to get a shot at a roster spot.

It is not like any other teams have been asking for him, so it seems that everyone must be thinking along the same line of him not yet being ready for an NBA spot.

I can easily see his side of leaving the summer league team to stay healthy and get an early roster space back in Europe, but he may later on think that he perhaps should have shown where his development currently is against summer league competition.

Seems like a good kid, but perhaps just not an NBA player, so I wish him luck.

Not so fast. Pure conjecture on both of your parts. Why would they invite him in the first place this summer.

112288

Some of us have seen certain qualities about Iverson that have impressed us—better shooting and passing than we expected and good rebounding skills.  But the Celtics, who are probably a bit more knowledgeable than we are, have obviously been waiting to see something that has not surfaced.  One could argue that, quite the opposite of dragging him, they've given him plenty of time to develop whatever it is that's lacking.

Sam

sam wrote:Interesting question for gyso.  How long can an NBA team hold the rights to a player in Colton's situation?

Sam

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q50

•If the player is already under contract to, or signs a contract with a non-NBA team, the team retains the player's draft rights for one year after the player's obligation to the non-NBA team ends. Essentially, the clock stops as long as the player plays pro ball outside the NBA. Players are not included in team salary during the regular season while the player is under contract with a non-NBA team.

dBoss

Centers.........ya but where is the quality???????


112288

112288,

I think that Iverson was invited to summer league play by the Celtics for several reasons. First, is that they wanted to see where his development is at the present time since they know that the team is short of true centers. Second, it was a loyal thing to do to invite him since he was their draft pick of a couple of years ago. And, third, he was certainly worth the invitation as he may have been further along than anyone thought.

Turns out that his decision to return to European ball was more important to him than most of us thought, but he also may be very right in making this decision as it appears that he has a career started over there that he does not have started here.

True, but it was not something that sprung up at the 11th hour. The Celtics had to know prior. I mean...he could have played in Salt Lake City to show case where he is.

112288

The Celtics agreed to trade for David Lee on July 7.  Colton Iverson left the team on July 11.  Do the math.

Sam

Bob,

Of course he had options when his league ended, if he is any good, his team or other teams asked about his availability if he did not make it into the NBA. Probably a good financial offer.

The Celtics did send him away..........he could have played in SLC to at lease see what he's got.

112288