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Sources have told CelticsBlog that Larry Sanders has had a recent workout with the Boston Celtics. The workout went well and both sides agreed to stay in touch.
Source: Larry Sanders worked out with the Celtics recently. No signing imminent. Both sides just checking in to see where things are at.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) January 27, 2017
Sanders himself later confirmed it is his intention to return to the NBA:
Officially stepping back into the game,looking for a good fit but it shouldn't be long now,I really missed the game,I think it missed me 2
— Larry Sanders (@l8show_thegoat) January 27, 2017
He also posted in Instagram that he had worked out with an NBA team recently and later followed up that post with one saying: “Boston what’s good?”
Sanders last played for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2014-15 season. That year he announced he would leave the NBA due to personal reasons and Milwaukee waived him via the Stretch Provision in February 2015. Sanders is on the Bucks’ cap sheet through the 2021-22 season at an amount of $1,865,547.00 per season. That figure would reduce after each year if he is under contract with another team for that season.
Sanders was a terrific defensive big man during his early NBA tenure. In his last healthy season in 2012-13 he averaged 9.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG and 2.8 BPG in just 27.3 MPG. He then played only 50 total games over his last two seasons, as he battled injuries and missed time with various personal issues.
Sanders is still just 28 years of age and was an athletic marvel during his early NBA time. Given the Celtics weaknesses on the glass and with rim protection the link makes sense. The Celtics would need to clear a roster spot before signing Sanders, as they are currently at the maximum of 15 players. Boston also has the pro-rated Room Exception available to them to sign Sanders, as well as just over $1.1 million in cap space. They could also use the Veteran Minimum Exception to sign Sanders as well.
Stay tuned to CelticsBlog for continuing developments.