The Memphis Grizzlies acquired center Fab Melo and cash considerations from the Boston Celtics in exchange for forward Donté Greene, the team announced today.

According to the Boston Globe, “Though Melo was a low-risk gamble at the No. 22 overall pick, he made little progress in his rookie season. The Brazilian played sparingly in six games, scoring 7 total points and proving to be little more than a long-term project at best.”

Entering his second NBA season, Melo (7-0, 255) saw action in six games last season with the Celtics averaging 1.2 points in six minutes per contest. He appeared in 33 games for the NBA Development League’s Maine Red Claws, where he averaged 9.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and a league-high 3.1 blocks in 26.2 minutes per game after being assigned to the Celtics affiliate on Nov. 14. While with the Red Claws, he recorded a triple-double on Dec. 22 against Erie with 15 points, 16 rebounds and a D-League record 14 blocks. In Maine’s next game, he recorded 32 points, nine rebounds and nine blocks. Melo, a native of Juiz de Fora, Brazil, was named to the 2013 NBA D-League All-Rookie First Team and All-Defensive First Team.

Drafted by Boston with the 22nd overall pick in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft, Melo decided to forgo his final two years at Syracuse University after being named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year in his sophomore season. In two seasons at Syracuse, he averaged 4.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks on .576 shooting in 17.3 minutes in 63 games (54 starts).

Greene (6-11, 226) signed with Memphis on April 17, 2013, holding NBA career averages of 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 16.8 minutes in 253 games (82 starts) over four seasons (2008-12) with the Sacramento Kings, but did not see action in a game with the Grizzlies.

The 25-year-old had missed the majority of the 2012-13 regular season while recovering from a fractured ankle suffered during an offseason workout on Aug. 25, 2012. He played one game in Puerto Rico for Atleticos de San German of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) last year.

In Paul Pierce’s mind, there were many factors that went into the dismantling of the Celtics roster this offseason. That chain reaction, however, may have started on Jan. 27, 2013. It was on that winter day — one where the Celtics dramatically defeated the Miami Heat in double overtime at TD Garden — that the team learned point guard Rajon Rondo would need surgery to repair a tear in his ACL, ending his season.

With time growing shorter with every passing game for the old Celtics core and with Rondo’s health uncertain for the upcoming year as he rehabs his knee, Pierce acknowledged that the injury was a big reason why he is now wearing a Brooklyn Nets uniform and not the one he wore for the past 15 years.

“It would be hard to contend,” Pierce told the Herald yesterday, the last day of his camp at Basketball City in the shadow of the Garden. “I saw the vision. I saw all that. As a player, I’m selfish. I want what’s going to be good for me and the team. But you’ve got to look at the management looking at what’s down the road. If it’s up to me I would want to rebuild to win a championship by bringing players in. They were looking at the future, down the line.

“Rajon might not be here for the beginning of the year or however long he takes, so it would be tough for us to be a contender or get in a position to contend. Everybody saw that and I think that helped the decision on both sides.”

Reported by Tom Layman of the Boston Herald

As Rajon Rondo continues to rehab from a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in late January, trade speculation involving the All-Star point guard will continue to have a life — possibly up to the trade deadline next year.

The Celtics are rebuilding after the departures of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry. Coach Doc Rivers left to coach the Los Angeles Clippers.

Rondo’s future in Boston depends on his health and relationship with rookie coach Brad Stevens.

The former Butler coach hoped to build a bond with Rondo to keep his interest in the organization. However, there will be many suitors for Rondo, who averaged 13.7 points, 11.1 assists and 1.8 steals, if he wants out. The Pistons could be one of the teams interested in acquiring him even after acquiring Brandon Jennings.

Reported by Perry A. Farrell of the Detroit Free Press

Badly misunderstood in certain instances, having made heinous mistakes in others, Delonte West has run the gamut of experiences in his NBA career. He’s 30 now, married and a new father, and he’s looking to return to the NBA, hoping teams can overlook his past troubles and provide him with a sliver of an opportunity.

West, who last played for the Mavericks, said he will accept a nonguaranteed deal, just hoping to impress a coach and make a roster. He was waived by Dallas last October after a dispute with coach Rick Carlisle, then played briefly in the Development League.

West, who has had a pair of stints with the Celtics, said the time away has been rewarding and therapeutic.

“This, in a way, has been the biggest blessing of my life,” he said. “This has given me time to grow. I’m just looking for answers, and all of the things I have been searching for, as a man, not as an athlete, to complete me. In that time period I met my wife and have had a beautiful son, and it’s like everything is falling in place.

“Back in December or January, I stopped trying to trust in man and fight these battles by myself. I just handed the keys to the man upstairs and let him drive. It’s been the biggest blessing of my life. I have so much to be grateful for, thankful for, and I have a lot to play for now.”

Reported by Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have waived forward Shavlik Randolph.

Randolph, a 6’10” forward, played in 16 games for the Celtics during the 2012-13 season averaging 4.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game. He also appeared in one game for the Celtics during the playoffs recording three rebounds in three minutes of action. Randolph recorded a career-high of 16 points against Cleveland on April 5 and tied a career-high with 13 rebounds against Atlanta on March 29.

The Boston Celtics have hired former Butler guard Ronald Nored in a player development role, a source told ESPN.com’s Jeff Goodman.

The 23-year-old Nored, a guard on Butler’s two Final Four teams coached by new Celtics coach Brad Stevens, is also expected to have a role with the Maine Red Claws, Boston’s D-League affiliate.

Despite his age, Nored is considered a rising star in the coaching ranks and spent his post-Butler days as an assistant at the University of South Alabama and coaching high school ball outside of Indianapolis.

Reported by Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston

Rivers said both unquestionably have something left.

“I think obviously Paul’s younger and in tune to play more minutes than Kevin,” Rivers said. “But I think they’re still at the top of their games. I think Paul is still one of those guys who can go off for big nights and still have big scoring nights. Kevin is a culture change. He won’t play but 20 to 25 minutes a night and there’ll probably be nights when he doesn’t play but his presence there alone will absolutely change the culture of Brooklyn. There’s no doubt about it. I think for some of the young guys, even some of the veteran stars, Joe Johnson and Deron Williams, will learn and understand what a winner is and looks like and professionalism and being prepared.

“That’s what I was most impressed with Kevin, how every game he prepared himself for games. That’s what I told our young guys that I just wanted them to watch him prepare for games. It was why he was so consistent. I thought it was that important.”

Reported by Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe (Blog)

He played last year for Valencia Basket Club of the Spanish ACB League, averaging 9.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in 17 minutes in 23 games.

Also, Faverani was eligible for the 2009 NBA draft but was not selected.

“He was not drafted because he was very immature and did not take the game seriously,” said an Eastern Conference scout who said he spent considerable time scouting Faverani.

“He could not be trusted. He has done a lot of growing up, both on and off the floor, and has turned the corner, so to speak.”

In terms of how Faverani fits in with the Celtics, the scout said, “I can see him as a pick-and-pop big, offensively. Where he fits defensively and being a consistent rebounder will be the key.”

Reported by Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe (Blog)

Signs seem to be pointing toward 7-foot Brazilian center Vitor Faverani finally becoming a Celtic. Faverani’s Spanish team in Valencia issued a press release on Friday that the 25-year-old has officially told them that he is leaving the team to pursue his basketball career elsewhere.

The Celtics and Faverani had essentially agreed on a three-year, $6 million framework of a deal, but the transaction had been delayed due to the Celts’ continuing attempts to get below the luxury tax line of $71.7 million. The C’s were $2 million over that line before this deal.

Reported by the Boston Herald

Garnett admitted that he thought deeply about retiring this offseason, and needed an hour-long conversation with Pierce before waiving a no-trade clause. Garnett’s first choice was to follow Doc Rivers to the Clippers, but a trade was blocked by the NBA because coaches can’t be included in player swaps.

“I don’t like change much. Once I commit to something, I like to go full throttle,” Garnett said. “It’s unfortunate. But when I saw the Doc Rivers situation, I kind of knew the writing was on the wall. I have my connections there. It was tough leaving (Rajon) Rondo and other things. But like I said, it’s a new chapter, new things to embrace. That’s what I’m doing.”

To leave Boston, it took a contender — and both future Hall of Famers were bullish about Brooklyn’s potential. The mentality, as they both illustrated, is title or bust in season No. 1.

“We’re not talking about Eastern Conference Finals, we’re not talking about best record,” Pierce said. “We’re talking about championship here, and that’s what the expectation is when you put together a unit like this.”

Reported by Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News

The Brooklyn Nets have requested waivers on forward D.J. White, General Manager Billy King announced today. White was acquired from the Boston Celtics on July 12th in a trade that also netted Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry.

Over his five-year NBA career with Oklahoma City, Charlotte and Boston, White holds averages of 6.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in 136 games (11 starts). Originally selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 29th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, White averaged 2.4 points and 1.1 rebounds in 12 games with the Celtics last season.

One underrated aspect of the blockbuster trade between the Nets and Celtics was the fact that its fate rested in the hands of Keith Bogans.

In order to make the numbers in the trade work, the Nets had to get Bogans to agree to a sign-and-trade deal to go from Brooklyn to Boston – and, in the process, from a playoff team to what likely will be a lottery-bound one.

But after Bogans was taken care of by the Nets the previous offseason, when they re-signed him after he suffered a gruesome ankle injury five games into his stint with the Nets during the team’s final season in New Jersey, he was more than happy to return the favor and help the Nets bring a pair of future Hall of Famers to Brooklyn.

Reported by Tim Bontemps of the New York Post (Blog)

Paul Pierce came up with a unique way to salute the city of Boston yesterday.

Pierce publicly addressed the trade to the Nets for the first time yesterday afternoon when he announced on his Twitter account, “I’m going to share some of my favorite Boston memories on new Instagram account. #THANKYOUBOSTON”

For the next two hours, Pierce then posted 44 pictures chronicling his history in Boston, ending with a picture of him holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy at Fenway Park in 2008, with a message that read, “Boston, you’ve been my home for the last 15 years. Together, we’ve been through it all. I could not be more grateful for all of your support and Boston will forever be a part of who I am.”

Reported by Tim Bontemps of the New York Post

In a difficult off-season for the Boston Celtics that saw the team trade away veterans Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce and part ways with coach Doc Rivers, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Amid all the speculation surrounding Rajon Rondo’s future with the Celtics, the Celtics point guard wanted to make one thing perfectly clear.

“I will never play for the Miami Heat,” Rondo said at his basketball camp in Kentucky on whether he would ever take his talents to South Beach.

Reported by Campbell Abbott of the New York Daily News

It was the first thing Celtics general manager Danny Ainge told Kris Humphries on Monday when the two sat down to talk: “We’re not tanking.”

“It’s the first thing he told me, too,” said Keith Bogans, who came to Boston along with Humphries, Gerald Wallace, MarShon Brooks and three first-round draft picks in the deal that sent Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets. Boston also sent Jason Terry to Brooklyn and acquired Kris Joseph.

The deal followed the trade of coach Doc Rivers to the Los Angeles Clippers, and it continued the rebuilding process that has been seen - and, from many in Boston, welcomed - as an attempt to “tank” the season, racing to the bottom of the standings to land a top pick in next year’s talent-rich draft.

Not so, says Ainge.

Reported by the Associated Press

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have waived forward Kris Joseph.

Joseph, a 6’7” forward, was originally drafted by the Celtics with the 51st overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He appeared in 10 games split between Boston and Brooklyn and totaled 11 points and nine rebounds over 54 minutes. Joseph also appeared in 27 games split between the Springfield Armor and the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League averaging 18.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.7 steals in 34.0 minutes per game and was named to the All-NBDL Second Team. He was acquired by the Celtics in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets on July 12.

The Brooklyn Nets want to compete for a championship, right now. The Boston Celtics want to rebuild. And today, the huge trade agreed upon earlier in July was executed and became official today.

The Nets have acquired Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry and D.J. White from the Celtics in exchange for Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Kris Joseph, Keith Bogans and three first round draft picks (2014, 2016 and 2018), as well as the right to swap first round picks in 2017, Nets General Manager Billy King has announced.

“Today, the basketball gods smiled on the Nets,” said Nets Principal Owner Mikhail Prokhorov.   “With the arrival of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, we have achieved a great balance on our roster between veteran stars and young talents.  This team will be dazzling to watch, and tough to compete against. ”

“We are excited to welcome Kevin, Paul and Jason to Brooklyn,” said King. “All three players have championship pedigree and possess the veteran qualities that will make us a stronger team.”

“We would like to thank Paul, Kevin, and Jason for everything that they have done for this franchise. We would not have won Banner 17 without Paul and Kevin and they will go down amongst the all-time great players to have ever worn a Celtics uniform,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. “At the same time we are excited to welcome Gerald, Kris, Keith, MarShon and Kris to the Celtics family. They bring a wealth of talent, experience, depth, and flexibility to our team.”

“Paul and Kevin exemplified everything it means to be a Celtic,” said Celtics Managing Partner and CEO Wyc Grousbeck. “They were instrumental in bringing back Celtic Pride and providing our fans with the franchise’s first championship in over 20 years in 2008. We wish them nothing but the best in the future.”

“We are really excited to welcome Gerald, Kris, Keith, MarShon and Kris to the Celtics organization,” said Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens. “They collectively bring a great deal of versatility, unique skill sets and production to our roster. I cannot wait to get to work with them.”

In 18 seasons and 1,323 career games, Garnett holds averages of 19.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 blocks.  This past season, the 6’ 11” power forward averaged 14.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while playing in 68 contests. In 131 playoff games, Garnett has averaged 19.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists.  A fifteen-time All-Star, the veteran was selected as the NBA MVP during the 2003-04 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves.  That season he averaged career-highs in points per game (24.2) and rebounds per game (13.9), while leading the NBA in total points (1,987) and rebounds (1,139). The Mauldin, SC native has been named first team All-NBA four times in his career, second team three times and third team twice.  Garnett ranks 11th all-time in NBA history in games played (1,323), sixth in minutes (47,801), 11th in field goals (10,151), second in defensive rebounds (10,757), 10th in total rebounds (13,843), and 15th in points (25,274).  He was the 2007-08 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and has been selected to the All-Defensive first team nine times and second team three times. Garnett helped lead the Celtics to the 2008 NBA Championship. For the 2008 playoffs, Garnett averaged 20.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.  Following his career at Farragut Academy in Chicago, Illinois, Garnett was selected in the first round (fifth overall) of the 1995 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Pierce, a ten-time All-Star, played the first fifteen seasons of his career with the Boston Celtics where he was selected All-NBA third team three times and second team once. He ranks fifth all-time in NBA history in career three-pointers made (1,823), 20th in total points (24,021), 30th in points per game (21.8) and 10th in free throws made (6,434).  Through 1,102 career games he has compiled averages of 21.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. This past season, he held averages of 18.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists.  The Celtics selected Pierce with the tenth pick of the 1998 NBA Draft.  Boston made the playoffs in ten of the Oakland, CA native’s fifteen seasons in Boston, once capturing the Larry O’Brien trophy (2008).  In 136 career playoff games, Pierce has averaged 20.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

In 1,101 games with the Hawks, Mavericks and Celtics, Terry has career averages of 15.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.  The 14-year veteran’s 1,911 made three-pointers rank him fourth in NBA history.  He has amassed 17,286 total points in his career and won the 2008-09 Sixth Man of the Year award as a member of the Dallas Mavericks when he averaged 19.6 points per game.  Terry was also a member of the 2011 NBA Champion Mavericks, and in his 93 career playoff games, holds averages of 16.5 points and 3.4 assists per game.  Originally drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the tenth pick of the 1999 NBA Draft, Terry has made the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons dating back to 2004-05. In 2012-13, his lone season in Boston, the Seattle, WA native averaged 13.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

Following his career at Indiana University, White was a first-round draft pick (29th overall) of the Detroit Pistons.  He has played in 136 career NBA games with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Charlotte Bobcats and Boston Celtics and recorded averages of 6.0 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 50.7% from the field.

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed 2013 first round draft pick, forward Kelly Olynyk. Since he was a first-rounder, Olynyk was guaranteed to receive a contract, so this signing is standard and was expected.

Olynyk, a 7’0” forward, was a consensus All-American and the West Coast Conference Player of the Year during the 2012-13 season. He averaged 17.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 26.4 minutes per game, while finishing third in the nation in field goal shooting (62.9 percent).

Olynyk, the 13th pick in this year’s draft, is a native of Toronto, Ontario. He helped guide Gonzaga to a 32-3 overall record during the 2012-13 season and was named a top-five finalist for the John R. Wooden Award given to the top player in the nation.

Olynyk’s draft rights were acquired from Dallas on June 27, 2013 in exchange for the draft rights to Lucas Nogueira and two future second round draft picks.

The Boston Celtics introduced Brad Stevens as their new coach Friday at a press conference at the team’s training center in Waltham, Mass.

Stevens is the 17th head coach in the franchise’s history.

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge and members of the team’s ownership group were also present.

“One of the things that I am so thrilled about is working at a place that has such high standards and places such a value on culture,” Stevens said.

He added that he is “absolutely humbled” by the chance to coach the Celtics.

Reported by the Sports Xchange

In a fairly shocking move, the Boston Celtics announced today that they have come to an agreement with Brad Stevens to be the 17th head coach of the team.

Stevens, age 36, has served for the past six years as the head coach of Butler University men’s basketball team, never winning fewer than 22 games and leading the Bulldogs to two national championship games against Duke and Connecticut. His career win percentage is .772, including a 33-5 season in 2009-10. He was also the youngest coach to reach the Final Four since Bob Knight in 1973.

A native of Zionsville, Indiana, Stevens was a three-time academic All-America nominee while earning four varsity letters at DePauw University, before graduating with a degree in economics. He later joined the Butler University program as the coordinator of basketball operations under then-coach Thad Matta, before being named head coach in 2007.

“Brad and I share a lot of the same values,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. “Though he is young, I see Brad as a great leader who leads with impeccable character and a strong work ethic. His teams always play hard and execute on both ends of the court. Brad is a coach who has already enjoyed lots of success, and I look forward to working with him towards Banner 18.”

Stevens and his wife Tracy, along with their children Brady and Kinsley, will be introduced to the media at 11:00am on Friday at the Celtics Training Center at Healthpoint.

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