Kelly Olynyk out two weeks + David Lee buyout = #FreeJordanMickey?
Obviously this isn't great news on the Kelly Olynyk injury front, but it could finally be the opportunity for a certain D-League All-Star that many Celtics fans have long been hoping for:
Danny Ainge says Kelly Olynyk second opinion on shoulder: "He definitely won't be playing for the next couple weeks." Said no surgery.— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) February 18, 2016
With Olynyk out of action, Brad Stevens will no longer have the option to turn to David Lee for minutes in the frontcourt rotation:
David Lee didn't practice today. Holding off while his agent talks with Celtics about possible buyout.— Jay King (@ByJayKing) February 18, 2016
Davids Lee's buyout should be completed by tomorrow, according to source.— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) February 19, 2016
David Lee said he still has a lot left "it's just looking like it's not gonna be in Boston."— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) February 18, 2016
Via ESPN Boston's Chris Forsberg, Lee had only kind words regarding his soon-to-be former organization and teammates:
I've kind of seen the writing on the wall with what's going on the last month. But once again, this is a business. We all know that. I want to be in a place where I'm successful and where I'm wanted. The Celtics are a great group of people here. I have absolutely zero negative things to say about my coaching staff and teammates, who, obviously as you know, I get along well with. So we'll just see how things develop over the next 24 or 48 hours here, but it's looking like something's most likely going to happen.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday Jordan Mickey and RJ Hunter were not with the team in Utah (the Celtics play the Jazz tonight) and were scheduled to join the Red Claws in Maine. However, on Thursday the plans changed:
This is a very valid question. Mickey, along with Hunter, will join the team today in Salt Lake City. https://t.co/d6hiyGHByX— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) February 18, 2016
Jordan Mickey has arrived at Utah practice facility to join his team. Interesting to see how Olynyk injury affects the rookie forward.— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) February 18, 2016
Stevens spoke on whether or not Mickey (who is recovering from an ankle sprain) could see game action. From Mass Live's Jay King, the Celtics coach said:
It's one of the reasons why obviously we brought him back out. I think just having those guys available, more bodies available is a good thing. But we'll see. He's got to get back up to speed with playing and everything else because he hasn't played 5-on-5 in a long time and he hasn't played with us for the better part of the last few months.
Boston takes on Utah at 10:30 pm this evening in a nationally televised ESPN game, the Celtics' first contest in nine days.
#FreeJordanMickey
Follow Mark Vandeusen on Twitter @LucidSportsFan
