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Shams Charania reported on Thursday that restricted free agent Jabari Bird and the Boston Celtics have agreed on a deal for the guard to return to the team.
Sources: The Celtics and 2017 second-rounder Jabari Bird are finalizing a multiyear deal. Bird spent his rookie season on a two-way contract, had a strong summer league.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 26, 2018
Bird averaged 3.0 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.6 assists last season with the Celtics. In June, Keith Smith reported that the Celtics tendered a qualifying offer to Bird to make him a restricted free agent after a strong close to the regular season. In July with Boston’s Summer League squad, Bird made a strong impression, furthering his case to own a spot on the roster.
In 4 Summer League games, Bird averaged 16.8 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists to go with 1.8 steals on 57% shooting from the field.
Keith Smith added additional contract details for Bird next season:
Sources: Jabari Bird is signing a two-year minimum contract with the Boston Celtics. First year is expected to fully guaranteed.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 26, 2018
The Celtics will now carry 15 guaranteed contracts into training camp with Walt Lemon Jr. on a two-way deal. The Celtics have one more two-way slot available after Kadeem Allen signed with the New York Knicks earlier this week. Up next is finding a couple of players to fill out the training camp roster for the preseason slate.