Celtics working on a deal for second round pick Jordan Mickey
The Celtics have liked what they've seen from second round pick Jordan Mickey out of LSU and have begun working on the terms of a contract. The two sides spoke last night, and even though no deal was reached an agreement seems inevitable from this trail of tweets from the Herald's Steve Bulpett.
Celtics will be meeting tonight with Jordan Mickey's rep to work out a contract for the impressive second-round pick.— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) July 13, 2015Some are misleading w/earlier tweet. Even if Celts and JMickey work out contract tonight, he may not sign right away so C's stay flexible.— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) July 14, 2015Jordan Mickey's rep to speak with Celts again today. Things will get worked out, but no rush.— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) July 14, 2015The Celtics are taking things slow to preserve salary cap flexibility, as they are with the Lee trade and Crowder deal. By waiting to cement their imminent deals, the Celts front office leaves some wiggle room for some salary cap gymnastics should opportunities for more moves present themselves. The methodical C's are even waiting to renounce Dana Barros' rights.
As Mickey and his reps work with the Celtics' brass, the young shot-blocker can thank his strong summer league showing for his seat at the bargaining table. For those who point to his 6'8" frame with skepticism on his true rim protecting capabilities, Mickey has his early returns as a rebuttal.
Scanning Vegas summer league stats, Jordan Mickey leads the league in blocks (3.5 per game) & FG% with a minimum of 20 attempts. (.591).— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) July 13, 2015If he can keep up the efficient jump shooting and continue to work on his rebounding, Mickey could end up being a younger, more athletic version of Brandon Bass. Over the last couple summer league games Mickey's work on the boards has improved, and the coaching staff has noticed. Clearly Mickey has made a good impression with his ability to take direction.
Micah Shrewsberry on improved rebounding: "Jordan (Mickey) has been great at hitting guys and going and getting the ball."— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 13, 2015It will be interesting to see if the Jordan Mickey contract ends up resembling the Sixers deal with Jerami Grant. A second round pick out of Syracuse, Grant received two years fully guaranteed, a non guaranteed third year, and a team option for a fourth. It's a contract that resembles that of a first round pick, and one that gives the team control of the player for four years. If the Celtics really love Mickey and think of him as a potential rotation player a year or two down the road, look for them to get creative and try to lock him up for more years than a typical second round pick.
Photo Credit: Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images
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