Rumors Wrapup

by Jeff Clark on Feb 21, 2009 9:31 AM EST in Boston Celtics Rumors

A few rumors still shaking out after the deadline from the Weekend Dime:

Sounds like the Celtics recruitment team is working on that Starbury guy:

My colleague Stephen A. Smith, meanwhile, reported on ESPNEWS earlier this week that a couple of members of the Celtics have privately challenged Marbury to abandon his hard-line stance and give up a few million bucks in negotiations with the Knicks to secure his freedom and prove to the basketball world that he can make an off-the-bench impact with the reigning champs.

This bears watching. Mikki isn't our first choice, but he'll be available first.

Word is that Mikki Moore, released Thursday by Sacramento, could have a new team picked by the end of the weekend so he can make a fast move after clearing waivers. But Oklahoma City's willingness to buy out Joe Smith -- Boston's presumed co-No. 1 target along with Marbury and one of Garnett's best friends -- has not been confirmed after numerous signals in recent weeks that the Thunder were intent on trying to keep Smith if they couldn't trade him.

Do we wait for Smith and risk losing both of them? Hard decision for Danny.

Also, the final word on the Nocioni talks:

Further investigating to find out who pulled out of the potential Andres Nocioni-to-Boston swap leads us to believe that, in the end, both teams didn't want to do it.

For the Celtics, who felt they couldn't afford to match New Orleans' summertime offer to James Posey, Nocioni was just too expensive.

I'm also told that the Kings didn't want to do the deal unless Leon Powe was included. And Boston wasn't giving up Powe.

True. True.

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Not at all excited about Mikki Moore. But he’s an improvement over POB.

Of course, so would be Roger Moore and Garry Moore.

by CoachBo on Feb 21, 2009 10:19 AM EST reply actions

Do you feel Smith is a better defender and rebounder, Coach?

I am not excited either, but I saw a lot of Sac’s games last year just on tv. Moore is very mobile, he runs the court hard, is obviously longer then Smith and he was pretty physical on d. So I am almost giving the edgte to Smith on his rep but my eyes are telling me Moore was decent. Neither Smith nor Moore have any weight to them though

by wahz on Feb 21, 2009 11:10 AM EST up reply actions

So would Mandy Moore…

Interesting that Powe was one of the big sticking points; seems that at least one squad views him as being more valuable than BBD.

by theBird on Feb 21, 2009 10:23 AM EST reply actions

mikki is serviceable and mobile. smith is better. we do need a big.

by nazzbo on Feb 21, 2009 10:48 AM EST reply actions

let's sign Moore now

And then if Smith gets waived, then we can add him too. Why not? And the same goes for Steph if he gets cut. We only need to cut someone else and that’s all.

by greenwise on Feb 21, 2009 11:04 AM EST reply actions

Good to here...

..that Celts valued Powe enough to balk at giving him up…shows that they aren’t super-hot on the idea of spending 7 million for a backup…

by BillfromBoston on Feb 21, 2009 11:19 AM EST reply actions

Powe?!

We wouldn’t give up Powe for freakin Nocioni??? I hope that’s just media fodder….

God bless and good night!

by BrickJames on Feb 21, 2009 2:06 PM EST reply actions

I would take the Last Two Mentioned

I hate to say it, but as talented as he may be, starbary is just not a C, and would act like such in a do or die spot!
I would love however to have both Mikki Moore and Joe Smith, but would rather have Sam and Joe in the End……Think that’s what Danny is Thinkin’

Scott_T_CT

by Scott_T_CT on Feb 21, 2009 2:32 PM EST reply actions