Celtics officially sign Jaylen Brown, Demetrius Jackson and Ben Bentil, is a trade now more likely to happen?
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| Jackson (26) watches Young (13) and Bentil (50) fight for a rebound in summer league play. |
Yesterday, the Celtics came to terms with No. 45 pick Demetrius Jackson on a lucrative deal for a second-rounder (slightly more than Jordan Mickey's four years, $5 million from last summer):
The fourth year for Demetrius Jackson is a team option, source says.— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) July 26, 2016
More from Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston:
In earning an average annual salary of $1.38 million, Jackson will essentially be paid similar to the No. 23 overall pick, assuming that player earned 100 percent of the league's rookie scale. Depending on the structure of Jackson's deal, his guaranteed first-year salary could rival that of a pick in the late teens.
Today, Boston inked pick No. 51 Ben Bentil as well:
According to league sources, the Celtics & 2nd round pick Ben Bentil have finalized a 3-year deal with a partial guarantee in the 1st year.— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) July 27, 2016
This evening, the C's also announced that they have signed Jaylen Brown, although according to the team's website the terms have not yet been disclosed (the Tyler Zeller and Gerald Green deals were also made official).
#Celtics officially sign third overall pick Jaylen Brown, unique because Brown has still not hired an agent.— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) July 27, 2016
Boston now has 17 players under contract for next year, (and an 18th, John Holland, with a non-guaranteed deal), but must narrow it down to 15 before the season starts. Jackson, Bentil, Mickey, RJ Hunter and James Young could each spend time in the D-League in 2016-17, but since they all have NBA contracts they'll have to land on the Celtics' 15-man roster first (Abdel Nader may sign directly with the Maine Red Claws).
It's really hard to fit 17 players on a 15-man roster. Gerald Green could get cut, but obviously Danny Ainge would prefer not to waste the money. Hunter, Young or Bentil might also be let go, however giving up on a recent draft pick is a tough pill to swallow. What's left? Trades.
With Jackson getting paid, have to believe C's think he's good insurance for if/when other guards are used for a star trade package.— Brian Robb (@CelticsHub) July 26, 2016
For what it's worth, draft picks can't be traded for 30 days after their contracts are signed.— Jay King (@ByJayKing) July 27, 2016
I wouldn't go as far as to expect anything big to happen, but at the very least Ainge will certainly try to deal guys at the bottom of the totem pole rather than releasing them.
RELATED: Battle for Celtics' 15th roster spot: RJ Hunter or James Young won't make the team?
Follow Mark Van Deusen on Twitter @LucidSportsFan
