Boston Celtics G/F Ron Harper Jr. intends to sign a new three-year, $9 million deal to return to the franchise, sources tell ESPN. The Celtics are declining Harper's $2.6M team option, clearing the way for the sides to commit on a longer deal.
UPDATE: One league source, after my story published, told @TheSteinLine that the Celtics emerged from the weekend “with a real shot” to win this race with a Jaylen Brown-centric offer … adding that Milwaukee has considered going ahead even without a third-team facilitator.
Bill Simmons today on the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.
🎥: @BillSimmons
“I would still bet on Boston.”
Also believes that the trade is happening tomorrow.
👀
The Celtics would welcome a straight-up Jaylen Brown-for-Giannis Antetokounmpo swap, per @sam_amick
“The Celtics have gone to great lengths to avoid the elephant in the room here, but Jaylen Brown would need to be part of any deal for Antetokounmpo. And if Boston had its way, it seems, the conversation would start and end there with a one-for-one swap of fellow All-Stars who are still in their respective primes (Antetokounmpo is 31; Brown is 29). Lest anyone forgets, Brown is coming off his best season yet, finishing sixth in MVP voting.”
(Via https://t.co/aNx58JE0ud)
Welcome to the final days (most likely) of the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
Here’s what @sam_amick is hearing around the league:
◽Giannis-Jaylen Brown one-for-one swap?
◽Kawhi Leonard is on the Heat’s Plan B list
◽Isaiah Stewart is available
https://t.co/12o026XysV