The Boston Celtics have one of the best line-ups in the NBA, with All-Stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Sophomore Rajon Rondo has really stepped up up to perform well alongside. Still, they're looking for players like free agent Brent Barry and Jamaal Magloirewaiting for Sam Cassell's buyout.
Since the beginning of the season, depth was an issue that could hurt them later in the season and in the playoff hunt. Even though they have a good 8-man rotation with 2 good shooters in Eddie House and James Posey, along with starting center Kendrick Perkins and Tony Allen, it wouldn't hurt for them to expand with 2 extra slots open. The other 5 players (Leon Powe, Gabe Pruitt, Glen Davis, Brian Scalibrine and Scot Pollard) have not appeared consitently during the season.
Cassell is a good bet for a back-up point guard. Even though he's 38, he's going out with a bang averaging 12.8 PPG and 4.7 APG. He's looking for a buyout from the Clippers, and Boston, Dallas, and Denver reportedly want Sam I Am, who currently has a wrist injury. Point guard Flip Murray is also said to get Boston's attention.
Brent Barry, 36, has been looking for a new home in his last year in the NBA, after being traded to and waived by Seattle. One thing that stands out in his stats is that he's a 95% free throw shooter (19/20) this season and a 43% 3 point shooter (46/107), to go with 7.3 PPG. It wouldn't hurt for him to go to the line during the playoffs. His brother,Jon Barry, says that Brent will give the Celtics serious consideration. The Suns, Rockets are interested in getting him. Of course, the Spurs want to re-sign him too.
Magloire, on the other hand, has not been doing well for a couple of seasons. Even though he's 29, he's averaged career lows this year of 1.8 PPG and 3.4 RPG. His stints with the Blazers did not go well last year either. The Boston Globe says that the Celtics aren't interested in Magloire, but it also says that Doc Rivers is keeping an open mind.
The Dallas Mavericks are the rivals of the Celtics right now when it comes to getting one of these players. Both are said to be pursuing Cassell and Magloire. The Mavs are looking because of the trade that got them Jason Kidd, but left them shorthanded at the C and PG spots. After the loss of DeSagana Diop and J.J. Barea not meeting the team's requirements, Cassell and Magloire seem to fill those gaps.
It'll be interesting to see where each player ends up at and how they play, especially if Boston ends up with Magloire and Cassell. If they do end up in Boston, it could give them the boost they need in the playoffs.
Brent Barry Wanted in Boston
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/02/23/barry_is_generating_interest/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Sports+News
Other Teams Want Barry
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0222sunsnb.html
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