Hoops Rumors

Rookie Hayden Gray has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Celtics, Spotrac contributor Keith Smith tweets. Gray led Division I in steals last season, averaging 11.2 points, 3.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game in 35 starts for UC San Diego. Gray, a 6’4” guard, shot 47.9 percent overall and 41.8 percent on 3-point attempts. He was a two-year starter for the … [Read more...] about Hayden Gray Signs Exhibit 10 Contract With Celtics

After his Stein Line teammate Jake Fischer reported that the Kings and Knicks look like the top candidates to land Ben Simmons, NBA insider Marc Stein suggests within his latest Substack article that at least a couple more clubs are in the mix for the former No. 1 overall pick. According to Stein, Simmons has drawn interest from the Celtics since free agency began and has also … [Read more...] about Stein’s Latest: Simmons, CP3, Clippers, Nuggets, Simons, Mavs

The Kings and Knicks appear to be the most likely destinations for Ben Simmons in free agency, Jake Fischer said recently in a Bleacher Report video (hat tip to BasketNews). Simmons, who played 51 combined games with the Nets and Clippers last season, is one of several prominent veterans who remain unsigned. “We are still anticipating the Kings to be bringing in another veteran … [Read more...] about Fischer’s Latest: Simmons, Brogdon, Kuminga, Celtics

In a wide-ranging interview with Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer (subscription required), Hornets head coach Charles Lee spoke about the offseason additions to the roster, why he’s comfortable with the team’s frontcourt options, and how he expects LaMelo Ball to take another step forward as a leader next season, among other topics. Discussing newly acquired veteran … [Read more...] about Eastern Notes: Sexton, Holland, Anthony, Embiid, Bassey

When the Bulls traded Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro earlier this month, they had to use a portion of their existing Zach LaVine traded player exception worth $17MM+ to absorb Okoro’s $11MM salary, tweets Keith Smith of Spotrac. Chicago couldn’t simply use Ball’s $10MM outgoing salary for matching purposes due to an injury protection clause in his contract, Smith notes. The $10MM … [Read more...] about Cap Notes: Bulls, Nuggets, Harden, Minott, MLEs

After playing a limited role for the Pistons and Timberwolves over the course of his first four NBA seasons, former Iowa star Luka Garza admitted he was motivated to sign with the Celtics because he’ll have an opportunity to earn more playing time, according to Brian Robb of MassLive. “Obviously, the franchise speaks for itself and just the winning and the history,” Garza said. … [Read more...] about Luka Garza Discusses Signing With Celtics

The Warriors are considered the heavy favorite to sign veteran big man Al Horford if he doesn’t retire. However, ESPN’s Marc J. Spears reports that a couple of Eastern Conference teams are interested in his services (hat tip to Brian Robb of Masslive.com). The Bucks and Hawks, along with the Lakers, have looked into signing the Celtics free agent. Atlanta could hold some … [Read more...] about Bucks, Hawks Interested In Horford?

Raptors forward Brandon Ingram has yet to suit up for his new team, but he’s confident that Toronto can mount a postseason run in 2025/26, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca (Twitter video link). “I think we’re making the playoffs for sure,” Ingram said. “I think we try to build championship habits. I think what I saw in the second half of the season is, they play hard, they play … [Read more...] about Atlantic Notes: Ingram, Tatum, Lillard, Sixers